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18 Comments

Famous Flank Steak Marinade

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope Nov 11, 2023

Jump to Recipe

Memorial day; the unofficial herald of the summer season! This tremendously easy Flank Steak Marinade, a.k.a. Nana & Papa’s Famous Flank Steak Marinade is the perfect recipe this summer and it’s gluten free with only 5 ingredients.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.

FAMOUS FLANK STEAK MARINADE

Memorial day — a day off, prime time for barbecues…but truly I hope you take a moment to reflect on those who died while serving our country, fighting for the very freedoms we enjoy on this holiday. What a humbling, magnificent and noble sacrifice they made so we may enjoy our barbecues without fear, amongst the many other freedoms we enjoy.

slab of flank steak marinated and grilling on outdoor grill with smoke rising.

Whether you are hosting a barbecue or just feeding your own family, this is one of our families favorite beef marinades, in our home it’s Nana & Papa’s FAMOUS flank steak marinade! In fact, it has a story (shocker).

While preparing the marinade the other day, my husband said to me, “Many a twenty-something has been fed this famous flank steak,” he had that far off look, one of sweet memories of days gone by…with dear friends. This precious couple has mentored us, fed us spiritually and literally, counseled and nurtured us.

Our boys know them as Papa John and Nana Liz. We are so very grateful for this couple who still pour their lives into countless singles, couples and kids, most especially ours. Each time we make this marinade we think of and pray for this wonderful couple.

THE BEST BEEF MARINADE

As with most marinades the longer they hang out in the marinade, the better infused the meat will be, enhancing the flavors. So make it  in the morning, or the night before and let it hang out for 4 hours or more!

BEST BEEF MARINADE INGREDIENTS

A beautiful cast! Fresh ginger, garlic, a touch of brown sugar, oil and teriyaki sauce (or substitute soy sauce, Gluten free Tamari or Bragg’s Liquid Amino’s). I am loving avocado oil, have you tried it? I thought it would taste, well…avocado-y, but it’s a lovely, light oil that doesn’t taste of avocados, which I love, but I don’t necessarily want all of my foods tasting like them. Give it a try!

Easy Flank Steak Marinade Ingredients | www.thefreshcooky.com

Pour the oil, teriyaki (or soy) sauce and water into a small mixing bowl. Mince garlic and ginger and place into liquids, add brown sugar and whisk well.

Garlic, Ginger and Brown Sugar for Flank Steak Marinade | www.thefreshcooky.com

GLUTEN FREE MARINADE

By simply making sure your Teriyaki or Soy sauce is Gluten Free, you’ve just adapted this recipe to be Gluten Free! If you like this Gluten Free Marinade, try my delectable Coconut Lime Chicken Marinade or my Shish Kebab Beef or Chicken Marinade. 

Next score your flank steak; using a sharp knife using just the tip, slip it just careful into the flesh and slice diagonally across and again the other direction. Flip and do the same on the reverse side.

Place flank steak in a glass dish and pour marinade over the top, making sure to lift the steak slightly so the marinade gets under the steak as well. 

BEST GRILLED FLANK STEAK

I made just enough for our family, using a smaller flank steak, but most of the time, I get a couple of larger flank steaks from Costco and double the marinade. Placing one in a freezer baggie (don’t forget to write on it) pour half the marinade over and freeze. When ready to barbecue, thaw in refrigerator overnight, prepare as directed.

LIFTING UP FLANK STEAK TO ALLOW MARINADE TO COME ALL THE WAY THROUGH | www.thefreshcooky.com

Let it hang out in the fridge marinating for 4 hours or more! Turning flank steak half way through marinade time.

flank steak hanging out in marinade | www.thefreshcooky.com

Heat grill to high, then turn down to low and grill steak for 6-8 minutes per side (6 for pinker center, 8 for more well done).

If desired, you may pour the excess marinade over the meat while grilling, be careful though as flare-ups will occur due to the oil; watch that the fire goes out so that the meat doesn’t char.

Why should I let my meat rest?

Once meat is done to your liking, remove from grill to a plate, cover with foil, allowing it rest for 5-7 minutes before slicing.

As a matter of fact, while the steak was resting, I whipped up a couple of refreshing 4 Ingredient Margaritas. 

Allowing the meat to rest, gives it time to finish cooking and all those delicious juices to stay in the meat. Don’t be tempted to slice into it beforehand. Once rested, slice against the grain into thin slices and serve immediately.

slicing marinated flank steak | www.thefreshcooky.com

Delicious served with fresh watermelon, a simple salad. 

Accompany with a crusty bread or biscuits (mine were Annie’s Organic Canned biscuits) and maybe a baked sweet or regular potato. Simple, filling, elegant.

Summer table set with flowers, wedges of fresh watermelon, hot biscuits and butter in a crock. | www.thefreshcooky.com

Sit down, take a load off, relax with your family, enjoy a meal together and laugh… a lot…mainly at yourself!

slices of flank steak up close with sweet potato in background and salad on plate.

If you enjoy soy and Asian inspired sauces, also give these a try:

  • Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce & Marinade
  • Asian Pork Loin

Like this recipe?

Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!

Recipe Card
slab of flank steak marinated and grilling on outdoor grill with smoke rising.

Famous Flank Steak Marinade

4.80 from 5 readers
Author: Kathleen Pope
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes minutes
Marinade Time: 4 hours hours
Total Time: 4 hours hours 21 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Print Pin SaveSaved!
The easiest and most flavorful flank steak marinade; bursting with Asian flavors, tenderizing the meat for the best grilled flank steak ever. 

Equipment

  • Lodge LPGI3 Pro-Grid Cast Iron Reversible 
  • Grillaholics BBQ Grill Tools Set – 4-Piece Heavy Duty 
  • Pyrex 1102267 885459426300 Portables Glass Bakeware

Ingredients 
US Customary – Metric

  • ½ cup soy sauce Or teriyaki sauce; gluten free if desired
  • ¼ cup oil mild olive, avocado or grapeseed oils all work great
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1-2 teaspoons fresh ginger root chopped or grated
  • 2-3 lbs flank steak
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl combine all marinade ingredients, mixing well. Score the flank steak on both sides, by slicing about ยผ inch to form a cross-cross pattern. Place the steak in a glass baking dish if making right away, pour marinade over the meat. Cover. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, turning once during the marinade time.
  • Heat grill to medium hot, then reduce to low heat, place meat on grill and grill for 6-8 minutes per side (depending on thickness of flank steak and desired doneness.) Basting with leftover marinade if desired. For grill marks, rotate beef ยผ turn after 3 minutes, repeating on other side.
  • Remove meat from grill and cover with foil allowing to rest for about 6-7 minutes before slicing. Slice thinly against the grain. Serve immediately.
  • Recipe easily doubles. Label gallon size baggie prior to filling with meat and marinade. Place meat in freezer baggie, pour marinade over meat, remove as much air as possible and lay flat to freeze. When ready to barbecue, take out of freezer allowing to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, turning once during thawing. Cook according to above directions.
Last step! Leave a RatingRate this recipe here. This helps other readers and helps support this website.

Notes

See blog post for serving suggestions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1161mg | Potassium: 564mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 3mg
slab of flank steak marinated and grilling on outdoor grill with smoke rising.
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Photo Credit: www.foxandbriar.com

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Kathleen Pope

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Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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  1. Bob

    Sun, May 24, 2020 at 8:23 am

    Thank you Kathleen! Happy Memorial Day. And, CONGRATULATIONS Kieran. WOOWOO….What a great plethora of recipies! I chose the flank steak marinade! Blessings, bob

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Mon, May 25, 2020 at 10:53 am

      Thank you Bob! I know you will love the flank steak marinade!

      Reply
  2. Eliza Cross

    Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  3. Miz Helen

    Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    The flavor will be amazing and I can’t wait to taste it! Hope you are having a fantastic week and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Wed, Jun 26, 2019 at 7:22 pm

      I do hope you try it!!! Thank you!!

      Reply
  4. Peggy McCall

    Fri, Nov 30, 2018 at 5:44 am

    I reviewed this recipe before but have to say it again…it’s fantastic!!! I’ve made similar marinades for years, but there is something about this one…delicious!! Great flavor. 5 stars!! Thanks Kathleen!!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Sat, Dec 1, 2018 at 8:32 am

      Wahoo!! Thank you Peggy!

      Reply
  5. Cindy K

    Sat, May 27, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    Had a flank steak in my fridge on Friday when I read this….so, I whipped up the marinade in less than 5 minutes before work, and came home to an easy delicious steak on the grill! Thanks Kathleen!

    Reply
  6. Cindy K

    Sat, May 27, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    Had a flank steak in my fridge on Friday when I read this….so, I whipped up the marinade in less than 5 minutes before work, and came home to an easy delicious steak on the grill! Thanks Kathleen!

    Reply
    • Kathleen[email protected]

      Mon, May 29, 2017 at 6:03 pm

      That’s awesome Cindy!!

      Reply
  7. Peggy

    Sat, May 27, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    Yum!!! Going to make it this weekend! Do your have a lemon Moscow mule recipe you love? That sounds wonderful too!

    Reply
    • Kathleen[email protected]

      Mon, May 29, 2017 at 6:05 pm

      So sorry I’m just now seeing this Peggy been out of town. Love my lemon Moscow mile. 1-2 oz of Deep Eddy’s Lemon vodka, ยฝ lime, squeezed, fill with ice and pour your favorite ginger beer on top. Stir and squeeze a lemon wedge on top.

      Reply
      • Peggy

        Wed, May 31, 2017 at 6:11 am

        Yum again! Thank you! Made the flank steak, it was delicious, rave reviews.

        Reply
        • Kathleen[email protected]

          Wed, May 31, 2017 at 8:30 pm

          YAY Peggy!! I love hearing that!

          Reply
  8. Betty Schofield

    Fri, May 26, 2017 at 7:54 am

    4 stars
    Similar to the marinade I use on Elizabeth’s favorite pork cubes. Can’t wait to try your version of the marinade.

    Reply
    • Kathleen[email protected]

      Mon, May 29, 2017 at 6:06 pm

      I love yours too!!

      Reply
  9. Bks

    Fri, May 26, 2017 at 6:38 am

    5 stars
    Perfect…YUMMERS! What time did you say to come over??????????????????????????

    Reply
    • Kathleen[email protected]

      Fri, May 26, 2017 at 7:06 am

      LOL! Nice BKS!

      Reply

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

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