Using your oven to cook steak may sound like a second-best kind of choice compared to grilling. Yet if you use your broiler, you might just prefer the results that come out of the kitchen. There’s no need to deal with a long warm-up period or clothes that smell like smoke when you have the perfect tool for cooking steak right in your own kitchen
You can use almost any rub, marinade, or seasoning mix you prefer to add great flavor to this beefy cut. Get familiar with your broiler and how to best use it with this easy Flat Iron steak recipe that makes the most of its direct heat.
Choosing the Right Cut
Before you rush to broil Flat Iron steak for the first time, make sure you’re getting the best possible cut first. Look for heavy and even marbling throughout the entire piece.
Pick out a Flat Iron steak that is evenly thick throughout the whole piece to prevent uneven broiling. Aim for a cut around 1.5 to 1 inch thick so it cooks quickly under the broiler. Avoid Flat Iron steaks with a faded color, thick layers of fat along the edges, or an uneven trim.
What Kind of Tools Do You Need?
Since the steak will create quite a bit of juice while broiling, you’ll want a metal baking pan with high sides. Avoid glass or ceramic casserole dishes since they might break from the direct exposure to intense heat. Wrap the baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil to make clean up easier. You’ll need an instant read meat thermometer for good results with this cooking method because it’s hard to guess when your steak has reached the perfect level of doneness. You’ll also want a sturdy set of grill tongs or a strong meat fork to help you flip the steak without risking any drips of hot meat juices.
Tips to Making the Best Broiled Flat Iron Steak
- Don’t overcook the Flat Iron steak or you risk it becoming tough. When kept medium-well done or less done, you’ll find that it’s one of the most tender cuts.
- Trim up the edges if there is any visible fat or silverside still attached. You want a clean edge of only meat for the best results from broiling.
- Let the steak rest after broiling for at least 5 minutes, preferably with a cover of tented aluminum foil or a roasting pan lid. This ensures the juices stay in the meat rather than leaking out.
- Thanks to the marbling and high concentration of fat, Flat Iron steak doesn’t have to be marinated overnight or covered in liquid during cooking. However, you can do both if you wish to add to the juiciness of the finished dish.
- Avoid seasonings like fresh green herbs or minced garlic on the surface because they’re likely to burn from the direct heat of the broiler. Using them in the marinade can impart flavor without the risk of burning.
Preparing the Flat Iron Steak
It’s best to let the steak come closer to room temperature before you start cooking. This ensures an even browning across the surface and reduces the chances of overcooking. Check the steak for large sections of fat or membrane before cooking. You’ll want to trim them off for the best results. Put the steak into your favorite marinade overnight if you want, or simply wait to add salt and pepper on the day you broil the meat. There’s not much preparation required before you broil Flat Iron steak since it’s well-suited to this cooking method.
Recipe Variations
Marinating the Flat Iron steak ahead of time will add a lot of extra flavor. So will using a barbecue or steak rub on the surface of the meat. If you enjoy the pure beef taste of the Flat Iron cut but want to dress up the steaks for a special occasion, try a topping like fried onions and mushrooms or a nice pan sauce. You can also add your favorite flavored compound butter on top of the hot steaks when they come out from under the broiler to add a touch of luxury.
Broiled Flat Iron Steak Recipe
Bring out the intense beef flavor that this cut is known for with a quick trip under the broiler. Check that your broiling element works before getting everything ready for this dish, especially if it has been a while since the last time you used it. You can always cook the steaks on a cast iron pan on the stovetop if necessary instead.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of Flat Iron Steak, preferably around 1 inch thick
- ½ teaspoon of Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon of cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions
1. Let the steak rest for about 30 minutes outside of the refrigerator so it comes closer to room temperature. Preheat the broiler for about 10 minutes.
2. Wrap your rimmed baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Rub the Flat Iron steak with the olive oil, then sprinkle the salt and pepper over the surface. Arrange the steaks on the baking pan so there’s at least half an inch of space between them for even cooking.
3. Set the oven rack so it’s about 3 to 4 inches from the broiling element. Place the pan on the rack and broil the Flat Iron steaks for about 7 to 8 minutes per side for medium doneness. Adjust the total amount of time for a steak that is more or less done. Flip the steak at the halfway point of the total cooking time to ensure even browning.
4. Let the cooked steaks rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve with your favorite steak house side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts, and freshly baked bread.
Conclusion
Make the most of the popular Flat Iron steak cut with this method for broiling it quickly. The meat will stay juicy and tender, helping you enjoy the flavor without spending a lot of time fussing with your grill.
Broiled Flat Iron Steak
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of Flat Iron Steak preferably around 1 inch thick
- ½ teaspoon of Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon of cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions
- Let the steak rest for about 30 minutes outside of the refrigerator so it comes closer to room temperature. Preheat the broiler for about 10 minutes.
- Wrap your rimmed baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Rub the Flat Iron steak with the olive oil, then sprinkle the salt and pepper over the surface. Arrange the steaks on the baking pan so there’s at least half an inch of space between them for even cooking.
- Set the oven rack so it’s about 3 to 4 inches from the broiling element. Place the pan on the rack and broil the Flat Iron steaks for about 7 to 8 minutes per side for medium doneness. Adjust the total amount of time for a steak that is more or less done. Flip the steak at the halfway point of the total cooking time to ensure even browning.
- Let the cooked steaks rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
