Cody Casey
If you're looking for a quick, easy, and tasty way to cook flank steak, then look no further than your air fryer. Air-fried flank steak is a juicy, tender, and flavourful dish that can be ready in less than 20 minutes. The high heat and quick cook time ensure the meat doesn't dry out, and the cleanup is minimal. You can use a marinade or a dry rub to season the steak, and there are plenty of mouth-watering recipes to choose from. So, if you're craving a delicious steak dinner without the fuss, try cooking flank steak in your air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade | Olive oil, salt, pepper, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Dijon mustard, dried rosemary, lemon juice |
| Marinade time | 30 minutes to 24 hours |
| Steak | Flank steak, skirt steak, flat iron steak |
| Steak preparation | Score the steak with shallow cuts, season with salt and pepper, pat dry with paper towels |
| Air fryer temperature | 350°F to 400°F |
| Air fryer time | 4-7 minutes on each side |
| Rest time | 5-10 minutes |
| Steak temperature | 125°F-145°F |
| Slicing | Slice thinly against the grain |
| Sauce | Whisk beef broth into leftover marinade, add butter |
| Sides | Corn relish, mashed potatoes, asparagus, green beans, tacos, burritos, nachos, fajitas, wraps, rice bowls, salads |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 4 days, freeze for up to 3 months |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of flank steak
Firstly, opt for a freshly cut flank steak, preferably cut the same day you intend to cook it. This ensures the meat is at its optimal freshness and quality. Avoid cuts with large chunks of fat, as they can affect the overall texture and cooking process.
Thickness is another key consideration. Aim for a flank steak that is at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks may overcook easily, while thicker cuts might require a longer cooking time to ensure even doneness.
When selecting your flank steak, look for good marbling. Marbling refers to the distribution of fat content within the meat, visible as white flecks throughout. Steaks with good marbling, like ribeye, tend to stay juicier and more flavourful after air frying.
Lastly, consider the overall size of the steak in relation to your air fryer. If you have a compact air fryer, you may need to cut the steak into halves or batches to fit properly. Alternatively, if cooking for a larger group, consider investing in a bigger air fryer basket to accommodate your needs without overcrowding.
Remember, choosing the right cut of flank steak is just the first step to a delicious air-fried meal. Proper preparation, marinating, seasoning, and cooking techniques are also essential to create a mouthwatering dish.
Air Frying Simplified: Farberware's Easy Cooking
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Marinating the steak
To prepare the steak for marination, you can "score" the meat by cutting very thin lines into both sides in a crosshatch pattern. This helps to impart extra flavour. You can then place the steak in a plastic bag or zipper bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag tightly, removing any excess air. Turn the bag occasionally to ensure that the steak is marinating evenly on all sides.
There are several different marinade recipes that you can use, but a common combination is olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Other ingredients that can be added include red wine, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, rosemary, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar.
After marinating, remove the steak from the bag and pat it dry with paper towels. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes before transferring the leftover marinade into a saucepan and setting it aside.
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus: Quick, Crispy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking the steak
First, choose a good cut of flank steak. The steak should be cut that day if possible and not have large chunks of fat. Skirt steak is another option for this recipe.
Next, prepare the steak for cooking. If you are using a marinade, place the steak in a plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag, removing any excess air. If you are using a dry rub, rub the mixture into the steak. Either way, make sure to season the steak generously with salt.
If you are using a marinade, it should be left to marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 24 hours. The longer it is left, the more tender and flavourful the meat will be. If you are marinating the steak for more than 30 minutes, place it in the refrigerator and then bring it out 30 minutes before cooking so it can come to room temperature. If you are marinating the steak for less than 30 minutes, it can be left at room temperature.
If you are using a dry rub, you can prepare the steak up to this point in advance and leave it in the refrigerator for up to four days.
When you are ready to cook the steak, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the steak inside. If you are using a marinade, cook the steak for 5-7 minutes on each side, flipping once halfway through the cooking time. If you are using a dry rub, cook the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side before placing it in the air fryer and cooking for about 15 minutes, again flipping it halfway through.
The steak is best served medium-rare. To check if it is cooked, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 125-135°F for medium-rare. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can check if the steak is done by looking at the sides of the meat as it cooks.
When the steak is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and wrap it in foil. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.
Air Fryer Frozen Buffalo Wings: Quick, Easy, Crispy!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resting the steak
After removing the steak from the air fryer, cover it with aluminium foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. The temperature will rise by a few degrees during this time, so it is important to remove the steak from the air fryer before it reaches your desired temperature. For example, if you want a final temperature of 130°F, you should remove the steak from the air fryer when it reaches 125°F, as the temperature will continue to rise while it rests.
The steak will continue to cook for a short time after it has been removed from the air fryer due to residual heat, so it is important to account for this when deciding how long to rest the steak. A good rule of thumb is to rest the steak for half the time you spent cooking it. For example, if you cooked the steak for 10 minutes, let it rest for 5 minutes.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any sauces or sides to accompany it. You can also use this time to clean up any mess made during the cooking process, as the steak will need to be sliced and served as soon as it has rested.
Once the steak has rested, place it on a chopping board and slice it thinly against the grain. This will ensure the steak is tender and not chewy.
Roasting Beetroot in an Air Fryer: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing and reheating leftovers
Allow the flank steak to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. If you want to freeze the leftovers, I recommend slicing the steak before freezing so it thaws faster. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
The best way to reheat the steak is in the air fryer. Reheat for 1 minute if sliced, or 4-5 minutes for a whole flank steak. However, reheating the steak can dry it out, so it is recommended to eat the leftovers cold. You can serve the cold steak with a side of potatoes, on top of a salad, or in wraps, fajitas, or tacos. You can also use the steak in a stir-fry.
Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Bacon, Quick Cook Time
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It takes around 8-15 minutes to cook flank steak in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of the steak and the desired level of doneness.
Choose a cut of flank steak that is preferably cut that day and doesn't have large chunks of fat. Skirt steak or flat iron steak are good substitutes.
The best way to know if your steak is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 125-135°F (or 130°F according to another source).
Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. The higher the temperature, the quicker the steak will cook.
Flank steak is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Some suggestions include mashed potatoes, asparagus, green beans, corn relish, or a wedge salad. It can also be used in tacos, burritos, nachos, fajitas, or rice bowls.
