If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, chances are you’ve tried fajitas at least once in your life. Fajitas are a delicious and flavorful dish made with marinated strips of meat, usually beef or chicken, served with vegetables and wrapped in a warm tortilla.
One of the most popular cuts of beef used for making fajitas is flank steak. However, one question that often comes up is: which way do you cut flank steak for fajitas? In this article, we’ll explore this question and provide some tips on how to cut flank steak for perfect fajitas every time.
What is Flank Steak?
Firstly, let’s understand what flank steak is. Flank steak is a lean, flavorful cut of beef that comes from the lower abdominal muscles of the cow.
It’s a long, flat piece of meat with visible fibers running across it. Flank steak can be tough if not cooked properly, which is why it’s often marinated to tenderize it before cooking.
Cutting Flank Steak for Fajitas
Now let’s get back to our main question: which way do you cut flank steak for fajitas? The key to cutting flank steak for fajitas is to cut against the grain.
Cutting against the grain means cutting perpendicular to the fibers in the meat. This helps break up the fibers and makes the meat more tender.
To identify which way the grain runs on your flank steak, look for the lines or striations that run along its surface. These lines indicate the direction in which the muscle fibers run. Once you’ve identified the direction of the grain, position your knife perpendicular to it and make thin slices across the width of the steak.
Other Tips
In addition to cutting against the grain, here are some other tips that can help you achieve perfect fajitas:
- Marinate the steak for at least 30 minutes to overnight before cooking. This will not only add flavor but also help tenderize the meat.
- Cook the steak over high heat for a short period of time.
Flank steak cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it.
- Let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing it. This will allow the juices to redistribute and prevent them from spilling out when you cut into the meat.
Conclusion
Cutting flank steak against the grain is crucial when making fajitas. It helps break up the fibers in the meat and makes it more tender. Remember to marinate your steak, cook it over high heat, and let it rest before slicing for perfect fajitas every time!