Preparation: Room temperature and Red Wine
Flat iron steak recipes are all about technique and preparation. To start off, bringing your flat iron steaks to room temperature before cooking allows it to cook more evenly. Marinating your steak can also add loads of flavor. Red wine helps to tenderize the meat and offers a rich and robust base for the marinade. Ensure you place your steak in a resealable bag with the marinade, and let it sit for several hours or overnight.
Moreover, pouring some of that delectable red wine into your hot skillet during cooking creates a deliciously rich sauce. Ensure to remove the steak from the refrigerator about 30 minutes to an hour before the cooking time, allowing it to reach room temperature.
Careful Cooking: Carryover Cooking and Cooking Time
Carryover cooking is a concept where the meat continues to cook without being on the cooktop. This process begins after you remove the meat from the heat source. The exterior temperature of your meat is always higher than its interior, causing the heat to penetrate inward even after being removed from the cooking source, thus affecting the cooking time.
Remember, each iron steak recipe you find will have a different suggested cooking time, with factors such as thickness of the steak, desired level of doneness, and your oven’s heat levels. To ensure your steak does not overcook, remove it from the oven or pan when the internal temperature is about 5°F less than your desired final temperature.
Grilled Flat Iron Steak Versus Other Steaks
If you dig the flame-kissed flavor, then grilled flat iron steak should be your favorite cut of beef. This particular cut boasts of a robust beefy flavor and is easier to manage on the grill compared to the flank steak and skirt steak.
On the other hand, if tenderness is your preference, then the filet mignon may be your holy grail. However, it’s not bursting with flavor as the grilled flat iron steak. Whichever you choose, finding your favorite cut of beef involves a trial of several steak cuts.
Serving: Slice and Serve
It’s not just about cooking; how you slice and serve your flat iron steak also matters. After letting your steak rest for about 10 minutes before slicing, use a sharp knife to slice it against the grain. Additionally, flat iron steak pairs up brilliantly with roasted or mashed potatoes, a bowl of vibrant salad, or a platter of crisp, steamed veggies.
If you savor steak sandwiches, then slice and serve your flat iron steak with some wholemeal bread, fresh vegetables, and a garlicky aioli. Or, for an Asian twist, slice the steak thinly and serve it over a bowl of steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and a drizzle of teriyaki sauce.
Searing: Cast Iron Pan and Hot Skillet
Achieving that restaurant-quality sear on your flat iron steak is possible with your cast iron pan and hot skillet. First, heat your pan over high heat. Once it is smoking hot, add your steak and let it sear without moving it, creating a wonderful crust.
Make good use of your hot skillet – after removing your steak, add in some butter, garlic, and herbs to make a delicious sauce. You can then drizzle this over your steak to enhance that already-beautiful beefy flavor.
Desired Doneness: Medium Rare
When cooking steak, achieving your desired doneness can be somewhat tricky. For most enthusiasts, cooking a steak to medium rare optimizes taste and texture. It is warm, with a hint of pink in the center, and incredibly juicy. The ideal internal temperature for a medium rare steak is around 130°F to 135°F.
Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that everyone’s desired steak doneness varies, and the cooking techniques can be adjusted accordingly. As you try different flat iron steak recipes, you will find the perfect temperature for your taste.
Best Practice: Cook Flat Iron Steak
To cook flat iron steak properly, preheat your pan or grill on high heat. Sear the steak on one side, then flip it over and cook the other side. Keep in mind your desired doneness and the concept of carryover cooking, as it will continue to cook even after it’s off the heat.
After cooking, allow the steak to rest. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the steak, giving you an incredibly succulent and mouthwatering bite. After several minutes, slice and serve your steak as desired, and bask in the praise from family and friends over your delicious steak meal.
Flat Iron Steak and Carryover Cooking
In conclusion, next time you face a flat iron steak recipe, remember to take note of the smaller details like bringing the meat to room temperature, allowing carryover cooking, giving it resting time, and slicing it properly. These small deviations can make a great difference in the quality of your final product.
Flat iron steak is a flavorful and reasonably priced cut of beef. When cooked and served properly, it can provide a delicious and savory dish that can impress anyone. Remember, quality ingredients combined with proper techniques give the best results.
FAQ
What’s the best way to slice and serve flat iron steak?
Slice the steak against the grain and serve it with side dishes like potatoes or salad.
How does red wine enhance a flat iron steak?
Red wine helps to tenderize the steak and offers a robust flavor to the marinade.
Can you cook a flat iron steak in a cast iron pan?
Yes, a cast iron pan helps achieve a great sear on the steak.
How do you check the internal temperature of a steak?
Use a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the steak.
What is carryover cooking?
Carryover cooking is when the steak continues cooking after it is removed from the heat.
How long should you cook flat iron steak?
It depends on the thickness and desired level of doneness. Typically, 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare.
What are other cuts similar to flat iron steak?
Flank steak and skirt steak have comparable flavors to flat iron steak.
How does cooking steak at room temperature benefit?
It allows the steak to cook more evenly.
What does it mean to cook a steak to medium rare?
It means the steak is pink in the center with a temperature of around 130°F to 135°F.
What is the beefy flavor of the flat iron steak?
The beefy flavor refers to the robust, rich taste of the steak.
