You can replace flank steak with top round or inside round if cooking roasted beef. It is soft and lean and that’s why it’s an ideal flank steak substitute. You can buy this beef cut at an affordable price. However, you have to follow a proper cooking method to ensure it remains soft and juicy. It can get tougher if you overcook.
What can I use in place of flank steak?
- A standard marinade of oil, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic and dried chilies is excellent.
- You can also make an Asian marinade using sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sriracha sauce.
- A Greek marinade with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano and black pepper is excellent on flank steak.
Is there a good beef cut substitute for flank steak?
What Can I Replace Flank Steak With?
- Skirt Steak. This cut of beef comes from the chest into the abdomen of the cow. ...
- Flat Iron Steak. This is the flat muscle of the shoulder blade of the cow, which is a very tender part as it is not as used.
- Sirloin Tip Side Steak. This is also a boneless and lean cut that also comes from near the hind legs of the cow. ...
- Ground Beef. ...
- Seitan. ...
What is the best way to eat flank steak?
flank steak is typically best grilled, however it is also tasty pan-searred or braised in a skillet or seasoned in a Broil. Ideally, you should grill your flank steak at a low simmer for as little as two hours, or at medium for about the same amount of time.
Is skirt steak cheaper than flank steak?
The skirt steak comes from the diaphragm area–but both have worked hard and can be tough if they aren’t cooked and sliced correctly. Skirt steak is cheaper than flank steak where I live and tends to be a smaller cut than the flank, but you cook both with the same technique and both have great beef flavor.
1. Skirt Steak
Even though It's not quite as lean, skirt steak is a common stand-in for flank steak, according to eHow. It comes from the plate of the cow, which, as Texas Monthly says, is located in the center of the steer just below the ribeye.
2. Top Round
If you've ever seen a steak labeled London broil at the grocery store, you were probably looking at either a flank steak or a top round cut (via eHow ). That's because London broil isn't a specific cut of meat. Instead, it's a broad term that applies to a whole family of steaks; namely, cuts that are usually lean and often tough.
3. Hanger Steak
Another good substitute for flank steak is hanger steak. This style is usually cut thin, like flank steak, but it has a higher fat content making it just a little bit more tender. According to eHow, hanger steak comes from the underside of the cow, near the loin.
4. Tri-Tip Steak
Tri-tip steak is another suitable and affordable swap for flank steak. The triangular, boneless cut of beef comes from the bottom (aka the tip) of the sirloin. Also known as triangle steak, according to eHow, tri-tip steak has the benefit of an easily trimmable fatty edge — though, for the best flavor, do the cutting after cooking.
5. Flat Iron Steak
Gourmet Sleuth suggests switching in flat iron steak — a top blade cut — for flank steak when you need a good substitute. According to Food Fire Friends, top blade steaks come from the chuck primal, or shoulder, of the cow. Taking it a step further, a flat iron steak is a specific cut of blade steak.
6. Flap Steak
Flank steak and flap steak are interchangeable in many recipes, according to Gourmet Sleuth. A flap steak is a thin, somewhat lean cut of meat that, like flank steak, comes from the belly of the cow.
7. Top Sirloin
Weber Grill Review gives a nod to sirloin steak as a suitable substitute for flank steak, but reminds its audience there are two kinds of sirloin — top sirloin and bottom sirloin. It's recommended to choose top sirloin when you're replacing flank steak. According to Chef's Resources, top sirloin is found just beneath the tenderloin.
1. Beef Skirt
If the flank steak cut is unavailable in your nearby butcher for any reason, the best substitute that most closely resembles it is beef skirt. This specific cut comes from the diaphragm area of the animal. Ask your butcher for this cut instead of flank steaks.
2. Beef Hanger
Another beef cut substitute for flank steaks is the beef hanger. The beef hanger is more similar to beef skirt, and less like flank steak. It’s also thinly cut with marbled fats. It’s one of the most sought-after beef cuts for many consumers as it offers a meaty, juicy texture when cooked.
3. Beef Fajitas
If you’re a fan of Mexican food, you should be familiar with this cut. You don’t really need to go to a butcher – you can easily find freshly packaged beef fajitas in your nearest grocery store.
4. Chicken Breast
Whether you’re staying away from red meat or just don’t like beef at all, chicken breast is the best substitute for flank steaks. Chicken breast is healthy white meat, high in protein (which helps muscle growth and strength). You can make healthy dishes from chicken breast such as steaks, stir-fries, stews, steamed with vegetables, or even grilled.
5. Vegan Steaks
Being vegan or vegetarian allows us to discover amazing substitutes for our favorite meats like flank steaks. Nowadays, there is a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian food in the grocery stores, and there are even whole aisles dedicated to vegan food. If you want to avoid flank steak, try substituting it instead with vegan steaks.
6. Mushrooms
Another healthy alternative for flank steaks is mushrooms. Mushrooms have always been a favorite side dish and are now considered an excellent meat substitute. Most of them offer that umami meaty taste and a savory flavor, especially when seasoned and cooked right.
7. Tofu
And lastly, another protein-packed substitute is tofu. Tofu comes from soybeans which are processed into soymilk, which then curdles to transform into square, cake-like tofu. Some may shy away from tofu if they aren’t accustomed to eating it. But all it really needs is a decent marinade and balanced seasoning.
What Is Flank Steak?
When you hear the word flank steak, you should know that it is referring to the lean and boneless part of beef with very intense flavor. This part of the cow is close to the hind legs and belly, which is why it is very soft and not fibrous. This steak is best for marinades, light grilling, and stir-frying.
Why Replace Flank Steak, Anyway?
There are various reasons why you would need to replace flank steak. Here are some of the common ones:
What Can I Replace Flank Steak With?
Regardless of the reasons, if you need to change this main ingredient, these flank steak substitutes will come in handy: