Flat iron steak is one of the most affordable and delicious cuts of steak that delivers an intense beef flavor when properly prepared. Many even consider it to be the most tender cut of steak second only to filet mignon. Because of its delicacy, it can be difficult to know how best to cook it to achieve its full flavor potential.
There are numerous ways to cook various cuts of steak, such as grilling, broiling them in the oven, or pan-searing them in a skillet. You may wonder which of these is the best method for cooking a flat iron steak, and that’s what we’re here to tell you today.
In this article, we’ll be covering the best way to cook a flat iron steak to maximize its flavor and tenderness, so keep reading to get all the details you need to learn how to cook it for yourself.
What Is Flat Iron Steak?
As we mentioned, flat iron steak is one of the most tender and juicy cuts of steak out there, with a unique and explosive flavor profile. This cut of steak was originally part of the top blade roast, but after having removed the tough connective tissue that runs through this part of meat, it becomes two pieces. One is the top blade steak, and the other piece is the flat iron.
It is referred to as “flat iron” steak because of its unique shape, resembling closely an old-fashioned metal flat iron. This is due in part to its uniform thickness and its rectangular shape.
Because of the amount of marbling this cut has, the flat iron steak is extremely tender and flavorful. Many have said that is tastes best when cooked on the grill, but we’ll get to that later.
Flat iron steak can also be used in many different recipes due to its flavor profile, offering a rich, beefy flavor to any dish you might incorporate it into.
Best Way To Cook A Flat Iron Steak
The flat iron is a very versatile cut of steak and can be enjoyed with just a simple coating of oil and salt and then cooked on the grill. As we mentioned earlier, grilling flat iron steak on the grill is the best way to cook it.
Due to its muscular structure, the best cook on this type of steak is medium rare and should not exceed medium. This way, you’ll get the most out of its unique and powerful flavor and tenderness.
There are specific times and temperatures that should be followed when cooking your flat iron steak to make sure it doesn’t get dried out and lose a large portion of its flavor. You also wouldn’t want its texture to get ruined, as most people don’t like to have to gnaw through a tough steak. The best steak, in our opinion, is one that’s juicy and tender, cooked to exactly the right temperature and sear.
You’ll also want to use various seasonings when cooking your flat iron steak, but as we mentioned before, you can also simply coat the steak in a coating of oil and salt before you grill it. Others may want to be more generous with the seasoning by searing it in butter, rubbing it in special steak seasoning, or making a seasoning crust for it.
The best way to season it depends entirely on your tastes and what food the steak is going with. For lighter side dishes, you may want to season the steak more heavily, and vice versa.
How Long To Cook A Flat Iron Steak
One of the most important parts of cooking your flat iron steak is the length of time you let it cook. This timing will vary depending on which method of cooking you’re using, as well as what kind of cook you want for it.
Generally, you should cook the steak hard on one side for around 5 minutes without touching it. You can then flip and grill it to the level of doneness you want. This amount of time will vary, ranging from 2 minutes for rare steaks to around 10 minutes for medium well or well done steaks.
Again, the best cook for flat iron steak is going to be medium rare, so keep that in mind when preparing yours. If you cook the steak for too long or too short of a time, you won’t be able to achieve this kind of cook.
To achieve the perfect medium rare cook on a flat iron steak, you’ll need to cook it 12-14 minutes, alternating sides about halfway through.
How To Cook Flat Iron Steak In An Oven
The first way you can cook any cut of steak is in the oven, but there are a few specific steps you should follow when cooking a flat iron steak this way.
To start, ensure your steak is completely thawed before you begin cooking it. You may need to remove your steak from the fridge for 30 to 40 minutes before you put it in the oven. You need to make sure the steak is sitting at around room temperature for it to cook properly.
You’ll next want to season the flat iron steak however you wish to. A simple coating of oil and salt will do wonders for this type of steak if you like a simple flavor profile, but you can also use a marinade or coating of steak seasonings if you’d prefer a stronger flavor.
While you’re doing this, set your oven to broil and let it preheat for at least ten minutes. Next, set the steak in a broiler pan and position it in the oven so the surface of the steak is around 3 or 4 inches away from the heat coils. Then simply allow it broil to the desired level of doneness. For a recommended medium rare cook, you should broil the steak for around 12 to 14 minutes. Make sure to turn it halfway through to the other side. The meat thermometer should be showing 130° F for this cook.
When it’s done, let your flat iron steak rest for 5 minutes before eating it. Cover it with a light covering of foil so it doesn’t lose heat to air exposure. Resting your steak is especially important because as it’s cooking, the flavorful juices inside are brought close to the surface of the meat. If you cut into it too soon, these juices will spill out and the flavor will be lost. If it’s allowed to rest properly, those juices will seep back into the meat.
How To Cook Flat Iron Steak On The Grill
To cook your flat iron steak on the grill (which is the recommended method of cooking), first follow the primary steps we outlined in the previous section. This is to make sure your steak is completely thawed before grilling, so let your steak sit outside the refrigerator for 30 to 40 minutes before cooking. Once it’s been properly thawed, move onto the seasoning step. Season to your tastes.
On a charcoal grill, place the steak on the hottest part of the grill, searing both sides for 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll then need to remove it to a medium heat part of the grill and let it continue to grill for the time required for the kind of cook you want. Remember to turn it over about halfway through.
This process is the same for a gas grill, except you’ll simply heat it to high, sear the steak on both sides for 1 to 2 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium for the rest of the cooking time. Again, you’ll want to grill it around 12 to 14 minutes for that perfect medium rare cook.
After having cooked, allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes with a covering of foil laid over it. This is the best way to make sure the steak retains all the flavor it can possibly provide.
How To Cook Flat Iron Steak On The Stove
For our final method of cooking, follow the same steps we mentioned in the previous sections for thawing your steak. Allow it to sit 30 to 40 minutes out of the fridge before cooking it so that it can be room temperature.
You’ll next want to season the flat iron steak however you wish to. A simple coating of oil and salt will do wonders for this type of steak if you like a simple flavor profile, but you can also use a marinade or coating of steak seasonings if you’d prefer a stronger flavor.
While you’re doing this, have a skillet heating on high heat for about 5 minutes. You want to use a very hot pan to get the best sear possible. Add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil or butter to the skillet so that just the bottom of the steak gets covered, then place the steak on the skillet.
For the perfect medium rare cook, you should let it cook about 13 to 15 minutes and flip it over about halfway through. Again, the meat thermometer should read 130° F.
After having cooked, allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes with a covering of foil laid over it. This is the best way to make sure the steak retains all the flavor it can possibly provide.
Where To Buy Flat Iron Steak
After having read all this juicy info on how to cook a flat iron steak, you’re probably wondering where you can buy one.
Most grocery stores or butcher’s stores will sell flat iron cuts of steak. This includes major grocery retailers like Walmart, Target, CostCo, Sam’s Club, and many others. At Walmart, for example, you can expect to pay around $8 for a single cut of flat iron steak.
There are also several online retailers that offer flat iron steaks for purchase and will even ship them to you. This may be the most convenient option, depending on where you live. Let’s take a look at some of the most recommended online retailers of steak.
First up, we have Omaha Steaks. This retailer has been in the steak business for over a century, founded in 1917. That’s a ton of years of experience, so you can be 100 percent sure that they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to steak.
A few other online retailers that sell flat iron steaks are Allen Brothers, Farm Foods, Perdue Farms, and Snake River Farms. Each of these retailers have varying levels of experience, but they all have one thing in common. That is, they know their steak! Ordering your flat iron steak through an online retailer like one of the above options is one of the most convenient options you have available to you, especially if you’d prefer not to have to go find it at a local grocery store.
Final Thoughts
Flat iron steak is considered to be the second juiciest and tenderest cuts of steak, second only to filet mignon cuts. This juicy and tender cut of steak has a flavor profile offering a rich, beef flavor that is sure to satisfy all you steak lovers out there.
Cooking steak can sometimes feel daunting, as there’s a few different things you need to worry about for the best outcome. Some of these things are timing, cooking method, seasoning, thawing, and letting the steak rest. It can seem like a lot to keep track of if you’ve never tried it before.
Well, hopefully the guide we’ve outlined above for you has helped you to learn how to cook your own flat iron steak with confidence and precisions. By correctly following the above steps, we can ensure that your steak will be juicy, tender, and flavorful.
To get ahold of your own flat iron steaks, remember to try the suggestions we gave for local and online retailers. We’re sure one of these options will be able to help you out.