Best Flat Iron Steak Recipes (Tender and Juicy Every Time!)
Updated Apr 22, 2025
These succulent, ultra-juicy flat iron steak recipes are the tastiest you’ll ever eat. Get ready to forget about the steakhouse.
The Easiest of Flat Iron Steak Recipes (Melt-in-Your Mouth!)
Let’s dive right in with my favorite, simple method for how to cook flat iron steak, but don’t miss all of the interesting flavor-packed flat iron steak recipes below!
Here’s my classic, go-to flat iron steak recipe that you can make as easily on a pan indoors, as on the hot grill grates of a gas or charcoal grill.
It covers everything you need to know, from my top tips as a food scientist, to common mistakes to avoid!
Get it here.
I love to serve it with garlic butter sauce.
Flat Iron Steak Recipes with Tasty Sauces
Now let’s move on my favorite flat iron steak recipes that feature DELICIOUS sauces to drizzle and dip.
Flat Iron Steak with Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
Dive into my flat iron steak recipe with its sunny Peruvian Aji Verde. Aji Verde is to Peru what chimichurri is to Argentina. The cilantro, fresh parsley, garlic cloves, and chilies blend beautifully with the oil.
Serve it over the meat and have some in a little bowl on the side – you’ll want extra!
Related: Here’s how to defrost steak in the microwave + the best way to reheat steak.
Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
This is a simple way to cook flat iron steak from Kayln’s Kitchen.
The cilantro, parsley, olive oil, and lemony sauce are perfectly bright and acidic in contrast to the umami-rich meat. This sauce was designed specifically to be enjoyed with red meat.
Flat Iron Steak with Horseradish Butter
If you love sharp flavors, you’ve got to try this flat iron steak recipe from Vindulge. Your flat steak gets deeply flavored in this recipe via a dry rub. It’s then served with a herby, horseradish compound butter – utterly delicious.
You can also pair this sauce with other cuts of beef, like filet mignon.
Oh My! Sauce for Steak
You’ve got to try this sauce recipe from the Novice Chef Blog, which is perfect for this cut of beef.
Bursting with ingredients like garlic, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs, it comes together in just 5 minutes.
While this lemon caper sauce from Platings and Pairings is luscious with fish and chicken, it’s also incredible with flat iron steak! The briny, tangy capers are the perfect slap to the rich, meaty steak.
Steak with Diane Sauce
I love this Diane Sauce recipe with steak from Kitchen Sanctuary.
The flavors of cognac, mustard, and cream dominate this luscious sauce. It takes a simple steak and gives it a retro and fancy flavor you will love.
Alternate Names for Flat Iron Steak
Flat iron steak may be the most common name, but here are some other ways you might see it labeled:
- Shoulder blade steak: This term can refer to cuts from the same general area but isn’t always the trimmed, tenderized flat iron steak.
- Top blade steak or top blade roast: When cut from a larger roast.
- Butler’s steak: Mainly used in the UK.
- Chuck flat steak: A less common term, but it can refer to the flat iron.
- Shoulder top blade steak: Some butchers use this (it’s cut from the shoulder area of the cow), though it’s less common than “flat iron steak” or “top blade steak.”
10 Pro Tips for Cooking Flat Iron Steaks
These are my 10 tips for getting steak-house results when cooking this tasty cut of meat:
1. Choose quality meat
Look for a flat iron steak that is well-marbled. The intramuscular fat will add flavor and juiciness.
2. Let it come to room temperature
Take the steak out of the fridge about 30-60 minutes before cooking. Letting it come to room temperature helps ensure even cooking.
3. Season generously
- Use 1 tsp kosher salt per pound of meat and lots of freshly ground black pepper to season the steak.
- You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite spice blend for extra flavor.
4. Preheat your cooking surface
Whether you’re using a grill, cast-iron hot skillet, or broiler, make sure it’s preheated. A high temperature is essential for getting a good sear.
5. Use high heat for searing
Sear the steak over high heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Look for a rich, brown crust to develop for maximum flavor.
6. Monitor internal temperature
Use a meat thermometer (instant-read thermometer) to check for doneness:
- Rare: 125°F (52°C)
- Medium-rare: 135°F (57°C)
- Medium: 145°F (63°C)
- Medium-well: 150°F (66°C)
- Well done: 160°F (71°C)
- Remove the steak from heat when it’s about 5°F below your target temperature, as it will continue to cook while resting. This is called carryover cooking.
7. Let it rest again
After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender.
8. Slice against the grain
Flat iron steaks have a distinct grain. Slice against the grain to ensure the meat is tender and easy to chew.
9. Experiment with marinades
Flat iron steak benefits from marinades that can enhance taste.
- Try marinades with acid (like vinegar or citrus), oil, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, and spices.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes in a ziplock bag or up to overnight for best results.
What to Serve with Flat Iron Steak
Pair your steak with sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
I love adding crunch by serving my Mexican corn salad or my crispy eggplant in the air fryer with steak.
Peach Caprese salad is perfect in summer with steak, as are these Baked butternut fries!
A few others to try include:
This cut of meat begs for your favorite steak sauce and a joyful glass of full-bodied red wine.
More About the Flat Iron Steak Cut
Flat iron steak, known for its tenderness and rich flavor, is often compared to other popular cuts like ribeye, sirloin, and flank steak.
- Flat iron vs. ribeye: While ribeye offers a well-marbled, juicy experience, flat iron strikes a balance between tenderness and beefy flavor, making it a favorite among steak lovers.
- Flat iron vs. sirloin: In contrast to sirloin, which is leaner but can be less flavorful, flat iron steak provides a more robust taste without compromising on tenderness.
- Flat iron vs. flank steak: Unlike a flank steak, which has a pronounced grain and can be chewier, flat iron’s fine grain allows for easy slicing and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Flat iron vs. skirt steak: Flat iron steak is thicker, more tender, and comes from the chuck, while skirt steak is thinner, chewier, and comes from the plate.
This unique combination of qualities makes flat iron steak a top choice for various cooking methods, from grilling to pan-searing
What is the Best Cooking Method for Flat Iron Steak?
Here are 4 ways to cook your piece of flat iron steak to get the best out of this cut of meat:
1.Grilling
Season the steak with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices or marinade. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Read more on the Best Temperature To Grill Steak for perfect steak every time.
- Grill the steak for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness. Aim for an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C).
Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
2. Pan-Searing
Similar to grilling, season the steak and bring it to room temperature.
Heat a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat and add a bit of oil. Sear the steak for roughly 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare.
You can add butter and fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme) for extra flavor during the last minute of cooking. Let it rest before slicing.
3. Sous Vide
Season the steak and place it in a vacuum-sealed bag. Cook in a water bath set to 130 degrees F for 1-2 hours for medium-rare.
Remove from the bag, pat dry, and quickly sear in a hot skillet or grill for 1-2 minutes on each side to develop a crust.
4. Broiling
Preheat your broiler and season the steak. Place the steak on a broiler pan about 4-6 inches from the heat source. Broil for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
Allow to rest before slicing.
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6+ BEST Flat Iron Steak Recipes (Tender and Juicy Every Time!)
Ingredients
- Flat Iron Steak
Instructions
- Pick your favorite flat iron steak recipes from the collection above and enjoy!
Hey there! Just tried the grilled flat iron steak with chimichurri sauce recipe from this list and oh boy, was it a hit at our family BBQ. Kinda messed up the grill temps at first (lol), but the outcome was still amazing. The chimichurri sauce was the real star, had that zesty kick and freshness which balanced the richness of the steak beautifully. Big thanks for sharing these recipes. Definitely looking forward to giving the rest a try, especially excited about that horseradish butter, sounds like a game changer for steak!