
The Ideal Temperatureīecause flank steak is cut super thin before cooking, a meat thermometer isn't going to be very useful. The good news is that it is fairly easy to see the grain structure in both flank steak and skirt steak unlike some cuts like London broil or tri-tip. If you cut the meat too thick, it will have a meaty chew and be tough.

With both flank steaks and skirt steaks, you'll want to slice the meat against the grain in very thin strips. This cooking method locks in the moisture and gives the meat amazing flavor without letting it cook so long that it dries out. The most popular way to cook skirt steak and flank steak is to do a quick sear in a very hot cast iron pan. This is particularly the case with preparing flank steak that will become inedible and tough at anything more than medium-rare. In both cases, you'll want to cook them as little as possible.

Skirt steak well done temp how to#
How to Cook These Cuts of MeatĮither of these pieces of meat must be cooked in a particular way. Skirt steak is also an ideal choice for stir-fry or try your hand at the somewhat misleadingly-named Romanian tenderloin -a popular Jewish meal common in New York City. Serve with Spanish rice and tortillas for a South of the Border feast. Simply saute onions and peppers in a large skillet, toss in the sliced skirt, and cook for a few minutes. Skirt steaks benefit from a marinade that includes citrus and herbs like cilantro which add flavor and help tenderize the meat.

Skirt steak is the go-to choice for tender, delicious fajitas. Which is Better for Fajitas: Skirt Steak vs Flank Steak? A marinade that includes an acid like orange juice or lime juice will help to break down the tough muscle fibers and result in a more tender cut. If you have a recipe calling for a marinade, choose skirt steak. Flank steak is denser and doesn't take on much flavor from a marinade. This is due to the structure of the muscle fibers which allow marinades to penetrate the tough fibers of the skirt steaks. The key thing to remember is that skirt steak gets marinaded while flank steak does not. Though these two cuts of meat are often used interchangeably, there are times when one is superior to the other. What that means is that the long strings of muscle will run in one direction and you'll cut the steaks perpendicular to the direction the threads of muscle run. One thing you're going to hear a lot is that you have to cut both of these steaks against the grain. Strip steak tends to have grain running the short direction, giving you longer, thinner cuts. The main difference between flank steak and skirt steak is their muscle fibers. Flank steak will typically have grain running along the longest direction of the cut, giving you shorter pieces of meat when cut against the grain. If your skirt steak isn't labeled as inside or outside, it's most likely outside skirt steak. Inside skirt tends to be tougher, making it more suitable for recipes like stir-fry. Outside skirt is considered to be the better choice and is more tender. The outside skirt is cut from the outside of the ribs, while the inside skirt comes from the inside. You'll often see skirt steak sold as inside or outside skirt. It also needs to be cooked quickly over high heat – be careful not to overcook. Skirt steak takes to a marinade well and is excellent on the grill. Skirt steak will have more marbling than flank and it is somewhat more tender and flavorful. Skirt steak will also have pronounced muscle fibers, but they run along the short side. Butchers sometimes call it a hanging steak because of how the meat hangs off the ribs. The skirt steak comes from below the ribs running back toward the leg. It's best cooked quickly in a hot skillet and served on the rarer side of medium-rare. When cooked properly the flank will have a lot of flavor and great texture.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53461435/shutterstock_11482531.0.jpg)
Flank steak needs to be cut thin, against the grain. Flank steak comes from the abdominal muscle of the cow so it's a tough cut of meat. What is Flank Steak?įlank steaks are a wide, rectangular cut with clearly pronounced muscle grain. There are a few differences to consider when choosing one over the other for your barbecue and we're going to break down the differences in the cut, the way to cook, and why you would pick flank steak vs skirt steak or the other way around. Both of these cuts of beef feature robust, deep, beefy flavor because of the hard-working nature of the muscles and a heavy grain that makes for tender and delicious fajitas, steak sandwiches, or dozens of other tasty meals. Let's talk about two seriously under-rated cuts of meat that have gone from throw-away scraps to high-price steaks in recent years – we're talking about flank and skirt steak.
