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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Marinated and Grilled Flat Iron Steak

    Published: Jul 30, 2015 · Modified: Feb 7, 2022 by Alyssa · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A sliced steak with mashed potatoes and green beans.

    This flat iron steak marinade is SO simple to throw together and lends delicious flavor and juiciness to tender grilled flat iron steak. Red wine, balsamic vinegar, and a handful of pantry staples shine in this balanced marinade and the grilling steps could not be quicker.

    A dinner plate of steak, potatoes, and green beans.

    I would be hard-pressed to pick my favorite steak cut, but flat iron steaks are always a crowd favorite. Ultra tender, very receptive to a marinade, and flexible to be cooked a variety of ways, it's an all-purpose kitchen MVP that isn't too pricey, to boot.

    This easy flat iron steak marinade (with simple grilling instructions) has turned into my go-to preparation for this lean cut of steak.

    Note: You may find packaged steak already sliced into smaller cuts (like seen in these photos) or in a larger steak. I prefer making multiple smaller steaks as you can grill them each for their own amount of time if they're of different thicknesses. Plus I like the extra surface area for soaking up the marinade.

    Reasons to Love This Recipe

    • It's really simple! Just about all of the ingredients are pantry or fridge staples.
    • Red wine and balsamic vinegar provide a bold, super flavorful base to the steak marinade that shines through to the grilled flat iron steak.
    • While this marinade would be a great option for many steak varieties, it pairs with the tenderness and marinade-friendliness of the flat iron cut perfectly.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Labeled flat iron steak marinade ingredients on a marble board.
    • Steak: One-and-a-half pounds of steak is used here. The kind I buy splits the 24 ounces into four steaks. Ideally the pieces will be around the same thickness/size so they cook evenly, but if not, simply alter the grill time for each so they're as you like them.
    • Wine: Use a red wine on the drier side, such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot. And you don't need anything fancy, just a variety that you wouldn't mind drinking (or cooking with) the rest of as this marinade uses only one-half cup.
    • Oil: Olive oil provides a lot of moisture and helps temper the bolder wine and vinegar flavors.
    • Balsamic vinegar: The sharpness of balsamic vinegar pairs really well with the lush wine flavor for a balanced and bold marinade.
    • Worcestershire sauce: Just one tablespoon works to amplify the "beefiness" of steak and ties all of these marinade flavors together.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Add all of the marinade ingredients (except for the steak) to a large plastic bag. A gallon-size bag works well. I place it in a mixing bowl and fold out the top edge, as seen in the photo below, so it can stand up and not tip over. Whisk the marinade right in the bag until all of the ingredients are evenly combined.
    A whisk in a large plastic bag filled with the flat iron steak marinade.
    1. Add the steaks to the bag, press out any excess air, then seal. Flip the bag over and turn the steaks around to fully coat all sides of them with the marinade. Place the bag in the refrigerator and marinate for at minimum 2 hours, but ideally 6-8 for the best flavor.
    Flat iron steak marinating in a sealed plastic bag.
    1. Let the grill heat to medium-high temperature for 10 minutes to ensure it's nice and hot, as this grilled flat iron steak doesn't take long to cook. Cook for 4 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness (or to however you like). Let the steak rest briefly before serving.
    A whole flat iron steak on a plate with potatoes and green beans.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Place the bag of marinating steak on its side to more effectively cover the surface of the steaks. Also place the bag on a plate or in a large enough baking dish in the fridge to contain a spill in case the bag leaks.
    • Faced with extra steak? I make this leftover steak sandwich every time. The flavor of this marinade matches up so nicely with the horseradish aioli and sauteed onions.
    • It's best to oil the grill grates to prevent sticking, and it's easiest to do this before turning the grill on. Rub clean grill grates with a paper towel that's been dipped in a neutrally-flavored cooking oil that's friendly to higher heat cooking, such as canola oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, etc.
    • A digital instant-read thermometer is one of my most-used kitchen tools. As all grills can cook a little differently, taking the internal temperature of steaks is the most foolproof way of cooking them to exactly the doneness you like.
    A sliced steak with mashed potatoes and green beans.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is flat iron steak tough?

    Not at all. Cut from the top blade/shoulder region, sinews and tough connective tissues have been removed to form this particular cut. It has a nice amount of fat marbling within to yield a very tender steak.

    Is flat iron steak good for grilling?

    Yes. Because it's tender it doesn't require a longer cook time to break down connective tissues, and its even, not-too-tall thickness across the different cuts means they won't take a long time to grill (just about four minutes per side).

    What's good to serve with grilled flat iron steak?

    Delicious side dish pairings for steak include garlicky sauteed green beans, mashed potatoes, roasted broccolini, any kind of side salad, and spicy sauteed asparagus, which can also be grilled to streamline dinner prep.

    Related Recipes

    Either jammy red wine or bold balsamic vinegar adds to the delicious flavor of these reader-favorite main dish recipes.

    • Italian Sausage and Peppers
    • Balsamic Meatloaf with Vegetables
    • Balsamic Peanut Beef Stir Fry
    • Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Mushroom Sauce

    If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating in the recipe card and/or a comment review below!

    Half-sliced steak on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.

    Marinated and Grilled Flat Iron Steak

    This flat iron steak marinade is SO simple to throw together and lends delicious flavor and juiciness to tender grilled steak. Red wine, balsamic vinegar, and a handful of pantry staples shine in this balanced marinade and the grilling steps could not be quicker.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Marinating Time: 6 hours
    Total Time: 6 hours 23 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 470kcal
    Author: Alyssa

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup (120 ml) red wine on the drier side
    • ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil
    • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
    • 7 cloves garlic minced/pressed
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
    • 24 ounces (665g) flat iron steak
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    For the flat iron steak marinade:

    • Add all ingredients except for the steak to a gallon-sized sealable bag or appropriately-sized coverable baking dish. Whisk to combine all of the marinade ingredients evenly.
    • Place the steak in the bag or dish with the marinade and turn it over to moisten all sides. Press the air out of the bag and seal it (or cover the dish), then place in the refrigerator and marinate 4-6 hours.

    For grilling flat iron steak:

    • Clean the grill grates and oil them. I do this by dipping a paper towel in a neutral-flavored, high-heat cooking oil and rubbing it on the grates using tongs.
    • Heat the grill to medium-high heat, in the 425-450°F (218-232°C) range. Let the grill preheat for about 10 minutes before adding the steaks, discarding excess marinade.
    • Add the steaks to the grill and cook over direct heat for about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare: internal temperature around 135°F (57°C), or until it reaches your preferred doneness. Let the steaks rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes
    Steak: One-and-a-half pounds (24 ounces) is a good amount of steak for this quantity of marinade, though a little less or more will work, too. A package of the flat iron cut may come in smaller, pre-sliced steaks or one larger piece. I prefer the smaller pieces so you can cook each one all right to your preferred doneness, as the larger steak may have thicker and thinner sections throughout.
    Wine: Use a drier red wine here, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir. And nothing fancy is necessary! Just something you wouldn't mind drinking or cooking with the rest of the bottle.
    Recipe Tips
    • If marinating this steak in a plastic bag, place it on its side in the fridge to more effectively cover the steak. Place the bag on a plate or in a baking dish to contain a spill in case the bag leaks.
    • Grease the grill grates with a neutral, high-heat friendly cooking oil before cooking the steaks. Some oils that work well for this purpose are canola, vegetable, peanut, and sunflower.
    • An instant-read thermometer makes achieving perfectly cooked steak a cinch. Medium rare is achieved when the center registers 135°F, with medium doneness in the 140-150°F range.
     
    Nutrition: This is a rough estimate taking into account one-third of the marinade ingredients being absorbed into the steak. It's hard to be precise with a marinade.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.2g | Protein: 53.3g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8.6g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 20mg | Sugar: 0.4g | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 6mg
    Tried this Recipe?Tag @mysequinedlife - I love to see what you're making!

    Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

    Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
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    Comments

    1. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

      August 04, 2015 at 11:10 pm

      Alyssa, this balsamic red wine marinade looks amazing!!!! it must add so much flavor! I MUST TRY this!!! love!

      Reply
    2. Alyssa says

      August 04, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks Bianca! We are big fans!

      Reply
    3. Alyssa says

      August 04, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      Haha I always had that fear, especially when we'd cook it on the grill. Definitely outside my comfort zone! Now that we're in an apartment and don't have a grill, the stove top it is. This is one of our favorites!

      Reply
    4. Alyssa says

      August 04, 2015 at 8:34 pm

      Haha it's crazy Ashley! There's no telling what they'll be out of. Recently they rearranged all of the aisles so I have no clue where anything is! Thankfully they always have flat iron steak haha. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Stephanie @ The Glamorous Gourmet says

      August 02, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      I love a Flat Iron steak and your description of this recipe is making my mouth water! Beautiful photos too and I bet it would be delicious paired with a Cab or Cotes du Rhone - Cheers!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        August 04, 2015 at 8:28 pm

        Thank you Stephanie! Those sound like perfect pairings!

        Reply
    6. Terri says

      August 02, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      OMG!!!! My mouth is watering just from looking at your pictures!! Can't wait to try this out on hubby since he is a big fan of steak! Love your blogs and all the recipes too...Bon Appetíte!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        August 04, 2015 at 8:31 pm

        Thank you Terri! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says

      July 30, 2015 at 2:07 pm

      This sounds so yummy! I hardly ever make steaks because I have it in my head that they can only be cooked on the grill (which I don't mess with-- that's hubby's deal). But this method makes it sound so easy! I'll have to try!! And any sauce with balsamic has got to be good!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        August 04, 2015 at 8:46 pm

        Haha yes! We always used to cook steak on the grill but since we moved into an apartment - no more grill! Kind of forced us to experiment with the stove top but we love it. Thanks Jess!

        Reply
    8. Sues says

      July 30, 2015 at 7:54 am

      What a delicious-looking steak! Love that balsamic red wine 🙂

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        August 04, 2015 at 8:47 pm

        Thanks Sues! It's a favorite. 🙂

        Reply

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