Smoked flank steak is a lovely, lean meat cooked perfectly on your Traeger grill. You can serve the steak alone or in tacos and fajitas.
It costs approximately $33.67 to make this steak. The recipe makes six servings, which costs around $5.61 per serving.
Smoked Flank Steak
Flank steak comes from the cow’s abdomen, and while it can be a little tough, with the proper cooking (and slicing) method, it’s glorious! It’s generally cheaper than even a ribeye and healthier for you, too. Very little fat!
Making smoked flank steaks results in flavorful meat, which you can use in various ways or eat as-is. I’ve even included a marinade here to help you get the most out of your steak, no matter how you want to chow down on it.
You can, for example, serve smoked flank steak with sides like smoked corn on the cob or a beautiful Italian salad for a filling and fulfilling meal! You can also use flank steak inside Mexican dishes (fajitas, etc.) as the main component of beef stroganoff or on skewers.
What You’ll Love about Smoked Flank Steak
- Tender and Juicy: Smoking helps break down the tough fibers in the flank steak, resulting in a tender and juicy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Easy Preparation: Smoking may sound intimidating, but it’s pretty simple. You can easily achieve delicious results with a smoker or grill and some basic ingredients.
- Great for Leftovers: If you have leftovers, smoked flank steak is incredibly versatile. Use it in sandwiches, salads, tacos, wraps, or stir-fries for a quick and flavorful meal.
Smoked Flank Steak Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $5.61
Recipe Cost: $33.67
- 3 pounds Flank steak – $29.97
- ⅓ cup olive oil – $0.96
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce – $0.56
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar – $0.08
- 1 medium lime – $0.69
- 1 lime – $0.69
- ¼ cup brown sugar – $0.14
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard – $0.04
- 2 Tablespoons garlic – $0.42
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.10
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes – $0.02
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in July 2023.
How To Smoke A Flank Steak
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Whisk together all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
- Add the flank steak to a resealable bag. Pour marinade into the bag and seal it.
- Place the bag in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F and place the flank steak directly on the grates.
- Smoke for 1 ½ hours or until the steak reaches your desired internal temperature, depending on how well you want it done. (As always, use a meat thermometer for the most accurate reading.) 130-135°F will give you a medium rare steak.
- Allow the steak to rest for 15 minutes, then serve sliced into thin strips!
Smoked Flank Steak Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Citrus Twist: Substitute the lime with other citrus fruits like lemon or orange for a different tangy flavor profile.
- Asian-Inspired Marinade: Replace Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce and apple cider vinegar with rice vinegar. Add ginger and a splash of sesame oil for an Asian-inspired twist.
- Fresh Herb Infusion: Mix chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or cilantro into the marinade for an herbal infusion that complements the smoky flavor.
- Smoky Chipotle Kick: Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or chipotle powder into the marinade for a smoky and slightly spicy kick.
- Pineapple Punch: Include some pineapple juice in the marinade for a tropical sweetness that pairs well with the smoky notes.
- Tex-Mex Fiesta: Use a blend of chili powder, cumin, and oregano in the marinade for a Tex-Mex twist that pairs well with grilled peppers and onions.
- Meat Swap: If you prefer a different cut of meat, you can use skirt steak or flat iron steak instead of flank steak. Note that smoking times will vary with other cuts of meat.
- Sweetener Options: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar for alternative sweetness.
Storage Tips
SERVE: As stated above, wait about 15 minutes before serving the steak once it’s complete. You’ll want to slice it thinly against the grain after that.
STORE: Like most cooked steak, eating for 3-4 days in the fridge will remain good. Use a vacuum-sealed bag or freezer paper.
FREEZE: In a heavy-duty freezer bag, smoked flank steak lasts in the freezer for 2-3 months.
REHEAT: You can microwave your leftovers if necessary, although this may dry out the flank steak, so be careful. It’s better to reheat it in the oven until the internal temperature hits about 110°.
Recipe FAQs
It’ll take 10 minutes to make the marinade, at least 30 minutes to let the steak sit, and 1 ½ hours to cook on the smoker. You may want to let it marinate longer than 30 minutes, however!
It will make about six servings, depending on portion and steak sizes.
I recommend marinating your steak before cooking it or adding a dry rub. It enhances the flavors. Flank steak can taste a little bland without some prep.
You’ll want to slice against the grain once it’s done cooking. It’ll tenderize the meat and prevent much of the tough chewiness that can happen with flank steak.
Go by internal temperature, not smoking time. These temperatures correspond to these levels of doneness:
● 125°F for rare
● 135°F for medium rare
● 145°F for medium
● 150°F for medium well
● 160°F for well done
Be sure to remove the steak about 5° before your desired level because it’ll cook a little more after you take it off the grill.
More Smoked Recipes
- Smoked Burgers
- Smoked Beef Ribs
- Smoked Bologna
- Smoked Lobster Tail
- Smoked Chicken Thighs
- Smoked Meatloaf
Smoked Flank Steak
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
- whisk
- mixing bowl
- Smoker grill
Ingredients
STEAK:
- 3 pounds flank steak
MARINADE:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 medium lime juiced
- 1 lime zested
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
MAKE MARINADE:
- Whisk together all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
MARINATE STEAK:
- Add flank steak to a resealable bag, pour the marinade, and seal.
- Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
PREP SMOKER:
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
SMOKE STEAK:
- Place the flank steak directly on the grates, and smoke for 1 ½ hours or until the steak reaches an internal temperature of 130-135°F.
TO FINISH:
- Let the steak rest for 15 minutes, then slice it into thin strips and serve.
Nutrition
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yum! this recipe is so simple and versatile! I’d love it in tacos
I love flank steak, but I’ve never had it smoked – it was phenomenal! My new favorite way to prepare it.
My husband just got a smoker and has been looking for recipes to try — sent him this one, it looks delicious!! We will try it this weekend.
Easy to follow and delicious! My new steak go-to!
This flank steak came out perfectly cooked, and the sweet-zesty marinade adds so much delicious flavor!