Flank steak is a popular cut of meat that many people love to grill for its rich flavor and tenderness. However, before you throw that delicious flank steak on the grill, it’s important to know how long it should sit out before cooking. Let’s dive into the details.
Why Is It Important To Let Flank Steak Sit Out Before Grilling?
Before we get into the specifics of how long flank steak should sit out before grilling, let’s talk about why it’s important in the first place. Flank steak is a thick piece of meat, and if it goes straight from the refrigerator to the grill, the outside will cook much faster than the inside. This can lead to an overcooked exterior and an undercooked interior, which is not ideal.
By letting your flank steak sit out at room temperature for a little while before grilling, you allow it to come up to temperature more evenly. This means that when you put it on the grill, it will cook more evenly as well. Plus, allowing your meat to rest at room temperature can help keep it tender and juicy once it’s cooked.
How Long Should Flank Steak Sit Out Before Grilling?
Now that we understand why we need to let our flank steak sit out before grilling, let’s talk about how long we should let it sit out for optimal results.
The general rule of thumb is to let your flank steak sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling. This should be enough time for the meat to come up to room temperature without getting too warm or starting to spoil.
However, if you’re in a hurry or don’t have 30 minutes to spare, you can get away with letting your flank steak sit out for as little as 10-15 minutes. Just keep in mind that the longer you let your meat rest at room temperature, the more evenly it will cook.
What About Food Safety?
One concern that many people have when letting their meat sit out at room temperature is food safety. After all, we’ve been taught from a young age to always keep our food refrigerated to prevent spoilage and foodborne illness.
While it’s true that leaving your meat out for too long can be dangerous, 30 minutes is generally considered safe for most meats, including flank steak. However, if you’re in a particularly warm or humid environment, or if your meat has been sitting out for longer than 30 minutes, it’s better to err on the side of caution and throw it away.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, allowing your flank steak to sit out at room temperature before grilling is an important step in ensuring that it cooks evenly and stays tender and juicy. Aim for 30 minutes of rest time, but don’t stress too much if you don’t have that much time to spare.
Just remember to always prioritize food safety and discard any meat that has been sitting out for too long. Happy grilling!