When it comes to stir-fry, the type of meat you use can make all the difference. Some meats are too tough and take too long to cook, while others may not hold up well in the high heat of a wok. One meat that often gets overlooked for stir-fry is flank steak.
What is Flank Steak?
Flank steak is a long and flat cut of beef that comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It’s a lean and flavorful cut of meat that’s often used for dishes like fajitas or grilled carne asada.
Is Flank Steak Good for Stir-Fry?
The short answer is yes, flank steak can be great for stir-fry! However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when cooking it this way.
Flank steak is a lean cut of meat, which means it can dry out quickly if overcooked. To prevent this, it’s important to slice the flank steak against the grain into thin strips. This will help break up the muscle fibers and make the meat more tender.
Additionally, because flank steak is a relatively thin cut of meat, it cooks quickly. This makes it perfect for stir-fry as you want your ingredients to cook quickly over high heat.
How to Prepare Flank Steak for Stir-Fry:
1. Start by trimming any excess fat from your flank steak. 2. Cut your flank steak against the grain into thin strips. 3. Marinate your flank steak in your desired marinade (optional). 4. Heat up your wok or skillet over high heat. 5. Add some oil to your wok or skillet and let it get hot.
6. Add your sliced flank steak to the pan and cook until browned on both sides (this should only take a few minutes). 7. Remove your cooked flank steak from the pan and set aside. 8. Add your vegetables and any sauce to the pan and stir-fry until cooked. 9. Add your cooked flank steak back to the pan and stir-fry everything together for a minute or two. 10. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
- Tip: You can also use a meat tenderizer to further break down the muscle fibers of your flank steak, making it even more tender.
- Tip: If you’re short on time, you can skip marinating your flank steak. However, marinating it can help infuse it with more flavor.
The Bottom Line
Flank steak can be a great choice for stir-fry if prepared correctly. Just remember to slice it against the grain into thin strips, cook it quickly over high heat, and add it back to the pan at the end of cooking so that it doesn’t overcook.
Give this lean and flavorful cut of meat a try in your next stir-fry recipe!