Are you someone who loves steak but often gets confused about different steak cuts? If yes, then you are not alone.
There are several types of steaks available in the market, and it can be challenging to differentiate between them. Two such cuts that often get mistaken for each other are the flat iron steak and flank steak.
What is Flat Iron Steak?
The flat iron steak is a cut that comes from the shoulder of the cow. It is also known as a top blade steak and has gained popularity over the years due to its tender and flavorful meat. The flat iron steak has a marbling texture, which makes it juicy and delicious when cooked correctly.
What is Flank Steak?
On the other hand, flank steak comes from the lower chest or abdominal area of the cow. It is long, flat, and fibrous with intense beefy flavor. Flank steaks are less fatty than other cuts of beef but have a grainy texture.
Are Flat Iron Steak and Flank Steak the Same?
Now that we know what these two cuts are let’s answer the question- “Is Flat Iron Steak and Flank Steak the Same?” The simple answer is No! Both these cuts belong to different parts of a cow, have their unique texture, flavor profile, and cooking methods.
Differences between Flat Iron Steak and Flank Steak
Here are some differences between Flat Iron Steaks vs. Flank Steaks:
- Location: As mentioned earlier, flat iron steaks come from the shoulder blade area while flank steaks come from the lower chest or abdominal area.
- Texture: Flat iron steaks have a fine-grained texture with marbling throughout while flank steaks have a coarse-grained texture with long muscle fibers.
- Flavor: Flat iron steaks have a beefy and juicy flavor while flank steaks have an intense beefy flavor but are less juicy.
- Cooking Method: Flat iron steaks can be grilled, broiled, or pan-fried, while flank steaks are best cooked by grilling or broiling.
Conclusion
To sum it up, flat iron steak and flank steak are not the same. Both cuts differ in their location, texture, flavor profile, and cooking methods. So next time you visit a steakhouse or go to the grocery store to buy meat, make sure you know the difference between these two cuts to make an informed decision.