Flank steak

Coarse grain and lots of flavour; do not take it past medium.

Rare

Medium rare

Medium

Well done

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Rest time

All internal temperatures in one chart · Resting meat: how long and why

About Flank steak

Flank steak comes from the abdominal wall and has a strikingly coarse, long grain. It is a hard-working muscle, which gives it plenty of flavour but also makes it tough if you handle it wrong.

With flank, cooking temperature matters more than on most other cuts. The fibres are thick and contract strongly when heated; above roughly 58 degrees you notice it immediately in the bite. That is why almost every cook stops at medium, and often stays at medium rare.

Cook it short and very hot. Flank is relatively thin, so long exposure to moderate heat takes the middle well past done before a crust forms. A screaming hot pan or a direct grill works better than an oven.

The most important part comes after cooking: always slice across the grain, and thin. On flank that grain is clearly visible to the naked eye. Slice along the fibres and you get long chewy strands, however carefully you cooked it.

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