This Alton Brown Flank Steak Marinade is a combination of sweet and savory ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other spices. If you follow the steps below, you will always be able to make a marinated flank steak that is soft, juicy, and tasty.

What Is Flank Steak?
Flank steak is a lean and flavorful cut of beef that benefits from the tenderizing effects of a marinade which we will do by following Alton Brown’s instructions.
This flank steak is best cooked to medium-rare and then thinly sliced at an angle across the grain of the meat.
Preparing it the Alton Brown way, which means marinated then cooked quickly on coals, you will end up with a flank steak that melts in your mouth.
This recipe calls for using coals to cook the flank steak, however, you can either grill it or cook it in a large cast-iron frying pan as well.
What’s In The Alton Brown Flank Steak Marinade?
Alton Brown uses these Ingredients to marinate the flank steak which are soy sauce, lime juice, red pepper flakes, and garlic, this marinade can be used for other cuts of meats as well not flank steak.
Can You Marinate Flank Steak Overnight?
Yes, Although you may marinate your flank steak for the entire night, Alton Brown suggests that you marinate it for at least 2 hours and for as long as 24 hours.
How Long Do You Cook A Flank Steak?
Cooking flank steak for just 2 minutes on each side, as suggested by Alton Brown, will yield a steak that is done on the exterior but still somewhat pink in the middle.
However, the cooking time may vary a bit as it depends on many reasons that we won’t discuss here, but in order to gauge doneness, you need to use a meat thermometer, for medium-rare the internal temperature should reach 130°-140°F.
How Do You Slice Marinated Flank Steak?
For the most tender results, cut against the grain when slicing marinated flank beef. Find the direction of the grain by observing the direction in which the muscle fibers of your flank steak run, and then slicing across them rather than in parallel.
Alton Brown Flank Steak Marinade Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 4 scallions, washed and cut in halves
- 2 large cloves of garlic
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar or Mexican brown sugar
- 2 pounds inside the flank steak, cut into 3 equal pieces
How To Make Alton Brown Flank Steak Marinade
- Warm the charcoal, ideally in natural chunks, until grey ash appears.
- In a blender, combine the olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, red pepper, cumin, and sugar.
- Place the flank steak in a big zipper-top bag and pour the marinade over it.
- Remove all air from the bag before sealing it.
- Allow the steak to marinade in the refrigerator for one hour.
- Remove the steak from the bag and blot it dry with paper towels.
- To remove ash, use a blow dryer to clean the charcoal.
- Grill the steaks for about 2 minutes per side over hot coals.
- Wrap the meat in a double sheet of aluminum foil and set aside for 15 minutes.
- Remove the meat from the foil and set aside the foil and liquids.
- Across the grain, thinly slice the meat.
- Combine the foil packet with the juice.
- Serve with grilled peppers and onions on the side.
What To Serve With Marinated Flank Steak?
- Garlic Bread
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Cheesy Potatoes
- Baked French Fries
- Mashed Potatoes
- Wedge Salad
- Candied Yams
- Onion Rings
- Salad Nicoise
- Mac and Cheese
- Turkey Tetrazzini
- Oven-Roasted Vegetables
- Crockpot Corned Beef
Recipe Tips
- This Alton Brown recipe calls for cooking the marinated flank steak on coals, however, you can bake, pan-sear, or broil your meat if you prefer.
- I love to reserve a few tablespoons of the Alton Brown marinade before the meat goes in, then drizzle that marinade over the top of the cooked flank steak for added flavor.
- You can serve your Alton Brown flank steak over mashed potatoes or rice with a steamed vegetable on the side.

How To Make Flank Steak Marinade Without Soy Sauce?
Alton Brown’s flank steak marinade calls for soy sauce, but if you’re allergic or just don’t like the flavor, you may substitute one of the below alternatives:
- Tamari Sauce: It is a Japanese sauce you can use that tastes like soy but is thicker and more flavorful than soy sauce.
- Coconut Aminos: This is a make a good substitution for soy sauce.
- Bragg Liquid Aminos: It will help to tenderize your steak and add flavor as well.
What Other Cuts Of Steak Can I Marinate?
You can marinate t-bone, top loin, tenderloin, or ribeye since this Alton Brown Marinate method can work for any other cut of steak.
How Do You Store Leftover Marinated Flank Steak In The Fridge?
- Allow your flank steak to room temperature before going any further.
- Next, place the steak in shallow airtight containers or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap then place it into the fridge.
- Properly stored, your cooked marinated flank steak will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
How To Store Leftover Marinated Flank Steak In The Freezer?
- Make sure your flank is at room temperature as a first step.
- Now, you want to place the steak in an airtight container and then into the freezer.
- Properly stored, your cooked marinated flank steak will last for 1-2 months in the freezer.
Try More Recipes:
Alton Brown Flank Steak Marinade Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 3 oz(85g)
- Calories from Fat 112
- Calories 202
- Total Fat 12g
- Saturated Fat 5g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
- Monounsaturated Fat 6.2g
- Cholesterol 51mg
- Sodium 71mg
- Potassium 284mg
- Total Carbohydrates 0g
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 21g
Nutrition Facts Source: Source

Alton Brown Flank Steak Marinade
Description
This Alton Brown Flank Steak Marinade is a combination of sweet and savory ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other spices. If you follow the steps below, you will always be able to make a marinated flank steak that is soft, juicy, and tasty.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Warm the charcoal, ideally in natural chunks, until grey ash appears.
- In a blender, combine the olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, red pepper, cumin, and sugar.
- Place the flank steak in a big zipper-top bag and pour the marinade over it.
- Remove all air from the bag before sealing it.
- Allow the steak to marinade in the refrigerator for one hour.
- Remove the steak from the bag and blot it dry with paper towels.
- To remove ash, use a blow dryer to clean the charcoal.
- Grill the steaks for about 2 minutes per side over hot coals.
- Wrap the meat in a double sheet of aluminum foil and set aside for 15 minutes.
- Remove the meat from the foil and set aside the foil and liquids.
- Across the grain, thinly slice the meat.
- Combine the foil packet with the juice.
- Serve with grilled peppers and onions on the side.
Notes
- This Alton Brown recipe calls for cooking the marinated flank steak on coals, however, you can bake, pan-sear, or broil your meat if you prefer.
- I love to reserve a few tablespoons of the Alton Brown marinade before the meat goes in, then drizzle that marinade over the top of the cooked flank steak for added flavor.
- You can serve your Alton Brown flank steak over mashed potatoes or rice with a steamed vegetable on the side.
Serving Size 3 oz(85g)
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 202
- Calories from Fat 112
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g19%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Cholesterol 51mg17%
- Sodium 71mg3%
- Potassium 284mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugars 4g
- Protein 21g42%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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