Some people are wary of flank steak due to the chewier texture, but this marinated flank steak air fryer recipe will change your mind!
As steak lovers, we’ve perfected How to Sous Vide Steak as well as cooking steaks on the BBQ (even how to cook a tomahawk steak)!
Normally, we wouldn’t think of reaching for our air fryer when it comes to cooking steak, but this recipe really works.
Our air fryer flank steak recipe is really versatile and great for a flavorful weeknight meal.
This perfect flank steak has a nice crust thanks to the quick cooking of the circulated hot air in the air fryer.
What is a Flank Steak?
Flank is one of the cuts of meat that carries a bold, beefy flavor, but does have a bit more chewiness compared to other cuts of beef.
This is due to the pronounced grain of the meat.
Cooking flank steak does require a little bit more planning as a result.
The best way to tenderize the meat is to start with a marinade, which will help to break down the proteins in the meat to help make the consistency of the beef more tender.
Flank Steak Marinade
While we love a good dry rub of steak seasoning, use a marinade for best results when cooking flank steak.
Not only does the marinade help to tenderize the meat, but it is also a great way to add extra flavor.
A marinade can totally transform a simple steak using a few simple ingredients.
We found amazing results achieving tender steak when making our Coca Cola Steak Marinade as well our Thai-inspired Tiger Cry Marinade.
We like to pierce the meat with a fork or a meat tendering needle tool prior to marinating in order to help the flavors permeate the steak deeper.
Cooking Time for Juicy Flank Steak
The key to perfect air fryer steak is to cook to temperature, not to time.
This is because cook time will vary based on the thickness of your steak as well as the style of air fryer you are using.
By using a meat thermometer, you will know exactly when your beef is done.
Many air fryer models, like our June Oven, have a probe which takes the internal temperature, but if not, just add a wireless thermometer probe in the center of your steak while it is in the air fryer until the meat reaches your personal preference.
We recommend using a wireless probe compared to a wired thermometer in order to ensure your air fryer will close properly.
We absolutely love a medium rare steak, so we cooked the air fryer flank steak to 125 degrees F internal temperature.
After you rest the meat, the internal temperature will increase slightly, which will bring your meat to a perfect, 130 degrees F, medium rare temp.
Slicing Flank Steak
Flank steak has a very pronounced grain of meat. You’ll probably notice it right away as your preparing your steak marinade.
Using a sharp knife, be sure to slice the flank steak against the grain.
This will cut across the muscle fibers, making them shorter, which makes the meat more tender and will reduce the “chewiness” of the meat.
Ways to Serve this Flank Steak Air Fryer Recipe
This steak recipe is great as its own main dish with a few of your favorite sides, like our Air Fryer Broccolini or Air Fryer Baked Potato.
However, if you’re looking for more ways to serve this flank steak recipe or even a way to serve leftover steak, consider these options:
- Tacos: Adding the air fryer flank steak in a tortilla is a smart way to stretch your protein to feed more people. Try topping it with our Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce and Pickled Red Onion Recipe.
- Salads: Looking to add more veggies in your life? Add your marinated flank steak to a salad like this Grilled Steak Salad to make it a meal!
- Sandwiches: This isn’t your average sammie! We love our Sous Vide Steak Sandwich Recipe (try it with our Horseradish Mayonnaise Recipe) and we think this flank steak would be a great substitute.
Marinated Flank Steak Air Fryer Recipe
Prep Time: 12 Hours
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Additional Time: 10 Minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 pound flank steak
- 3 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 5 cloves fresh garlic, smashed
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Directions:
- Puncture the flank steak meat with a fork or a meat tendering needle tool.
- Season the steak with salt and pepper, rubbing it into the meat.
- Using a whisk, Mix together the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
- Add the flank steak to a shallow dish with a cover and cover in the marinade mixture. Store in an airtight container and marinate for 12 hours or overnight.
- When you’re prepared to cook your flank steak, start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Remove the excess marinade from the steak filets and pat with paper towels.
- Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.
- Add the steak to the basket and insert a meat thermometer into the center of the filet.
- Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may want to flip the beef halfway through the cook time.
- Air fry flank steak until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F for medium rare or 135 degrees F for medium doneness. This took our air fryer model about 10 minutes for medium rare.
- Remove from the air fryer basket, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice in thin strips against the grain of the meat prior to serving.
Marinated Air Fryer Flank Steak Recipe
Yes, you can make steak in the air fryer! Our marinated flank steak air fryer recipe walks you through how to make a perfect air fryer steak.
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak
- 3 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 5 cloves fresh garlic, smashed
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Puncture the flank steak meat with a fork or a meat tendering needle tool.
- Season the steak with salt and pepper, rubbing it into the meat.
- Using a whisk, Mix together the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
- Add the flank steak to a shallow dish with a cover and cover in the marinade mixture. Store in an airtight container and marinate for 12 hours or overnight.
- When you’re prepared to cook your flank steak, start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Remove the excess marinade from the steak filets and pat with paper towels.
- Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.
- Add the steak to the basket and insert a meat thermometer into the center of the filet.
- Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may want to flip the beef halfway through the cook time.
- Air fry flank steak until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F for medium rare or 135 degrees F for medium doneness. This took our air fryer model about 10 minutes for medium rare.
- Remove from the air fryer basket, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice in thin strips against the grain of the meat prior to serving.
Recommended Products
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Stainless Steel Meat Tenderizer Needle Profession Kitchen Tools for Kitchen Cooking Tenderizing Beef -
Olive Oil Sprayer Mister -
Air Fryer Liners - 8.5 Inches, 100pcs Premium Perforated Parchment Paper -
GE Mechanical Air Fry 7-in-1 Toaster Oven -
Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Basket Air Fryer
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