Flat Iron Steak Recipe (2024)

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Our Flat Iron Steak Recipe is quick and delicious made with a custom blend of homemade steak seasonings, seared to perfection in a flat iron skillet. It makes for an excellent weeknight dinner option.

Best Flat Iron Steak

A few years ago, we lived in a condo community that didn’t allow grills. At first, this was kind of frustrating because we loved to grill outdoors.

However, the living situation taught us how to create homemadeburgers, pan seared steak, and steak fajitas using my regular cooktop.

This flat iron steak recipe is one of those examples that prove you don’t have to use an outdoor grill to make a perfectlyseared steak.

Combine a little know-how, with a custom seasoning mix, and melted butter and you’ve got yourself a pretty amazing steak. Pair it with a batch of baked sweet potato fries or oven baked home fries, and you have a full meal!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

You may need to adjust the seasoning blend depending on exactly how much steak you use. You may need a little more or a little less. It’s easy to make extra!

The exact amounts of each ingredient are in the recipe card further down the page.

  • Seasonings: We use a variety of seasonings for the seasoning blend. Adjust or omit any of these to taste. You’ll need seasoning salt, Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a nice seasoning for steak.
  • Steak: You’ll need about 1 ½ pounds of flat iron steak.
  • Butter: We cook the steak in 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Salted butter also works, but you may need to lessen the amount of seasoned salt.

How to Cook Flat Iron Steak:

Scroll to the recipe card below for full instructions and ingredient amounts!

Before we get started, let me start off with a little note about the steak. In the recipe, we have it listed as a 1 ½ pound steak or steaks. When we originally made this recipe, that’s what we used.

It just so happens that we are living in a different part of the country now, and the only flat iron steak available was just barely over half a pound. That’s what’s used in the updated photos and video.

The recipe stayed the same, except the size of the steak which can be adjusted. You just won’t use as much of the seasoning. Now, back to how to make our flat iron steak recipe! 🙂

  1. In a small bowl combine the seasoned salt, Italian seasonings, black pepper, garlic powder, and the onionpowder. Give them a quick mix with a fork to blend the seasonings.
  2. Liberally season both sides of each steak, making sure to use ALL the spice mix (assuming you’re using the full 1 ½ pounds of meat).
  1. Preheat a flat iron skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt the butter.
  2. Once the butter is melted, add the steaks to pan. Cook them for 5-6 minutes on each side or to your desired doneness.
  3. When the steaks are done, let them rest for 5-10 minutes then serve them with a side of your choice.

Tips and Variations:

  • Start with a high-quality cut of steak with good marbling. Marbling helps keep the steak from drying out while it cooks and provides flavor.
  • Use butter while cooking flat iron steak as it prevents sticking and adds extra flavor.
  • Avoid moving the steak around too much in the pan before it’s seared (i.e., first side down). You want to get a good sear on the first side before flipping it to the second side.
  • Let the steak cook undisturbed on each side until it’s time to flip – use an instant read thermometer if necessary.
  • Let your cooked steak rest covered for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. Otherwise, all the juices will run out and your steak will be dry.
  • Slice against the grain when ready to serve which helps keep the texture tender.
  • For an extra flavorful steak, apply the seasoning mix then place the steaks in your fridge for 30 minutes to rest before cooking.
  • Heat the pan to medium or medium-high. You’ll know theskillet is hot enough when the butter begins to clarify (separate) in the pan.
  • Create a marinade by simply adding ½ cup of olive oil and ¼ cup of red wine vinegar to the seasoning mix. Submerge the steaks in the marinade in your fridge for 30 minutes before cooking.

How to Store Flat Iron Steak:

Refrigerator: Store leftover steak in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat until heated through.

Are flat iron steak and flank steak the same?

No, flat iron steak and flank steak are taken from different areas of the cow.

A flat iron steak is cut from the top blade (shoulder) of a cow. A flank steak is cut from the stomach or abdominal area.

Can another cut of beef be used for this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! This seasoning and cooking method in this recipe works well for any cut steak. We love it on sirloin, New York strip, fajita meat, ribeye, and even filet.

If there happens to be a seasoning you don’t love, we have an amazingbeer marinadethat works well, too.

Is flat iron steak tender?

Yes, flat iron steak is a tender cut of steak. Look for a piece that has nice marbling or thin ribbons of fat running throughout. As the steak cooks, the fat melts and keeps it moist and adds flavor.

What goes well with flat iron steak?

These sides taste great with any of best steak dishes. Here are some of our favorites:

Sweet Potatoes
Caesar Salad
Sautéed Mushrooms
Baked Potatoes
Onion Soup Potatoes

Other Dinner Recipes You May Love:

  • Sirloin Steak
  • Grilled Mahi Mahi
  • Baked Brats
  • Mississippi Pot Roast

Like This Recipe?

We’d love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and follow us on Facebook and Pinterest!

Flat Iron Steak Recipe (7)

Easy Flat Iron Steak Recipe

4.7 from 102 votes

Print Pin

Author: Kimberly

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ pounds flat iron steak, or cut of your choice
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Combine the salt, Italian seasonings, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl.

    1 tablespoon seasoned salt

    1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

    ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

    ½ teaspoon garlic powder

    ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • Season the steak(s) on all sides with the seasoning mix; be sure to use all of the spices.

    1 ½ pounds flat iron steak

  • Preheat an iron skillet over medium heat, and melt the butter in the pan. Add the steaks to the hot pan. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or to your desired doneness.

    3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Allow the steaks to rest for 10-minutes then serve with sides.

  • Scroll up and see the post for tips, FAQs, and storage options.

Suggested Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 4Ounces | Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 1938mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 5mg

Notes

*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 4 to 6 ounces of steak. Actual calories will vary.

*For more information, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the post.

Don’t Lose This Recipe!Save it on Pinterest! Follow us at @berlyskitchen!

Flat Iron Steak Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook a flat iron steak? ›

For the perfect medium-rare Flat Iron steak on the stove, sear in a skillet for 13–15 minutes for a 1–1½ inch steak, turning about 1 minute before the halfway point. A meat thermometer should read 130°F. Rest your steaks for 5 minutes before serving, covering lightly with foil.

What is flat iron steak good for? ›

You can pan fry it in a stir fry or for fajitas. You can broil it, smoke it, or grill it. If you're looking to eat it as a traditional steak and really enjoy its inherent flavor profile, the best way is to keep it simple. Season the steak with coarse salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

Does flat iron steak need to be marinated? ›

Finally, marinating can also help to reduce cooking time by preparing the meat in advance and allowing it to absorb flavors while you prepare other ingredients or fire up the grill. Overall, marinating is a simple but effective way to elevate your flat iron steak game!

Is flat iron steak chewy? ›

While the cut can be juicy and supple, a line of fibrous tissue (known as sinew or tendon) runs through the middle of the area the steak comes from, making some bites tough, chewy, and not at all enjoyable. Flat iron steak is from the chuck portion of the cow, which is its lower neck and shoulder region.

Do you tenderize flat iron steak? ›

The flat iron steak is very tender and well-marbled, therefore great for grilling. Some cooks reflexively marinate it because they marinate all beef. There is no need to tenderize flat iron, but be cautious not to overcook it, either.

Is flat iron steak very tender? ›

Extremely tender, well-marbled and flavorful and great for grilling. Cut from the Top Blade. Cutting method removes internal connective tissue from the whole Top Blade, allowing this cut to deliver as the second most tender cut.

Which is better ribeye or flat iron? ›

Flat iron steaks may not be as fatty as rib eyes, but they still pack a rich, beefy punch. They're leaner yet tender, making them an ideal choice for those who prefering less fatty steak.

What is flat iron steak called at the grocery store? ›

Flat iron steak—also known as a top blade steak, top blade filet, and shoulder top blade steak—is cut from the shoulder of the cow (called the chuck) and is nicely marbled with lots of beefy flavors. When cooked properly, a flat iron steak turns out tender and juicy.

Is flat iron steak better than filet mignon? ›

Which brings us to this question: “What should you purchase if you love Filet Mignon, but it's sold out?” Our answer: FLAT IRON! The Flat Iron is the second most tender steak from the animal after the Filet Mignon, and we can guarantee that it is just as buttery, delicate, and tender.

Is flat iron steak worth it? ›

It is an excellent alternative to more expensive cuts like ribeye and New York strip, offering a delicious taste at a fraction of the cost. In this article, we'll discuss how to select the perfect flat iron steak, as well as share tips for preparing and cooking this delicious cut of meat.

Why does flat iron steak taste like liver? ›

Myglobin contains iron, a metal that imparts metallic/livery flavors to a musles. The higher the myoglobin content the higher the probability that a given muscle will posses livery notes. Flat iron steaks contain high myoglobin and often show this condition.

What steak is better sirloin or flat iron? ›

Sirloin steak is known for its coarser texture because it's taken from tougher muscles that naturally have tougher fibers. Meanwhile, flat iron steak is more tender because it's taken from the high-grade muscle at the upper section of the cow.

Is flat iron steak a cheap cut? ›

Flat Iron is the second most tender cut (after the tenderloin) and it's cheap!

Is flat iron or ribeye better? ›

Flat iron steaks may not be as fatty as rib eyes, but they still pack a rich, beefy punch. They're leaner yet tender, making them an ideal choice for those who prefering less fatty steak.

How long to cook flat iron steak on stove? ›

Rub steak evenly with steak seasoning and salt. Cook in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or to desired degree of doneness.

Is flat iron steak good well done? ›

The flat iron steak is quite versatile, delicious simply coated in oil and salt and thrown on the grill, as well as cooking after some time in a flavorful marinade. Because of its muscular structure, it is best if it isn't cooked beyond medium; the recommended doneness is medium-rare, or around 135 F (60 C).

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