Grilled Flank Steak With Kimchi-Style Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

By Mark Bittman

Grilled Flank Steak With Kimchi-Style Coleslaw Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour plus at least 1 hour resting time
Rating
4(114)
Notes
Read community notes

It is easy enough to take the basic ingredients and flavors of kimchi and create a fast cabbage salad that puts ordinary coleslaw to shame. Use it as a bed for grilled beef – or anything else that has the flavor to stand up to it – and you have a great summer dish. All kimchi packs a punch, thanks to plenty of garlic and chili peppers, and appropriate quantities are listed here. Increase the amounts if you like, though these should be strong enough. If you can get to a Korean market, buy some of the ground chili powder labeled co chu karo, which is hot but also flavorful. Otherwise substitute any good ground chiles or crushed red pepper flakes. Fish sauce is traditional, although you can use soy sauce if you prefer.

Featured in: THE MINIMALIST; Fast Kimchi In Hot Times

Learn: How to Make Steak

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 1small head Napa or Savoy cabbage, about 3 pounds
  • Coarse salt
  • 3spring onions or 6 large scallions, trimmed and chopped
  • 3cloves garlic, minced, or to taste
  • 1tablespoon co chu karo or crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 1tablespoon peeled and minced ginger
  • 3tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce
  • 2tablespoons rice wine or other vinegar
  • 1flank steak, about 1½ pounds
  • Ground black pepper

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

317 calories; 14 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 38 grams protein; 1166 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Grilled Flank Steak With Kimchi-Style Coleslaw Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Remove tough exterior leaves of cabbage; core it by cutting a cone-shape wedge out of the stem end. Shred cabbage into thin strips, and separate the strips by hand. Put in a colander, and toss with about 1 tablespoon salt and the onions or scallions. Let sit for at least an hour, preferably two, tossing occasionally, until cabbage wilts.

  2. Step

    2

    Meanwhile, prepare a grill. Combine garlic, co chu karo, ginger, fish sauce and vinegar in a bowl. Grill steak for about 4 minutes to a side for medium rare (more time or less according to the degree of doneness you prefer), turning once. Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper as it cooks.

  3. Step

    3

    Remove steak from grill, and let it rest. Squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the cabbage, and toss it with 1 or 2 tablespoons of dressing, or more to taste. To serve, carve steak. Place a portion of cabbage on a plate, and top with slices of steak. Lightly drizzle steaks with dressing, and serve. Remaining dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for several days.

Ratings

4

out of 5

114

user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Margaux Laskey, Staff Editor

Mark does not. Just a little salt and pepper.

Margaux Laskey, Staff Editor

It's incredibly spicy. You only need a little.

nancy hoving

I wondered if there was a missed step and the steak was meant to be marinated first. What's the answer to your question.

elena484

Love this recipe, I make it all the time in the summer.

Ellen R.

Delicious—made the sauce with 1 T fish sauce, 2 T soy sauce. The cabbage was very salty for me, but still quite tasty. Next time I’ll try reducing the salt or rinsing the cabbage.

Barb

I agree w/ Mark and don't marinate steak. Ivan Orkin taught me this back in the day: just salt and pepper. It was how he was taught.

liz wansbrough

Too strong & too salty overall - much preferred teriaki marinaded flank steak!

George Shannon

I'd agree, three tablespoons of fish sauce is plenty for everything in the list. You can rinse the cabbage after it's done sweating, that seemed to help. (I then spun mine in a salad spinner to remove the salt water.)

Sharon

Doesn't the flank steak need a marinade of some sort? I have always let mine sit overnight so it would be tender

nancy hoving

I wondered if there was a missed step and the steak was meant to be marinated first. What's the answer to your question.

Margaux Laskey, Staff Editor

Mark does not. Just a little salt and pepper.

Helen

How can 5 T of sauce be enough for all the cabbage and steak?

Margaux Laskey, Staff Editor

It's incredibly spicy. You only need a little.

Stephanie

Anyone tried this with tofu? Tempeh?

elena484

Love this recipe, I make it all the time in the summer.

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Grilled Flank Steak With Kimchi-Style Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook flank steak so it's not tough? ›

Marinating is definitely suggested if you plan to grill your steaks. This helps ensure that they don't become tough and rubbery on the hot flames of the grill. Since flanks are very thin, it can only take mere seconds to cook them beyond the point of no return.

Does flank steak get softer the longer you cook it? ›

Slow cooking is a method that involves cooking food at a low temperature for an extended period of time. This technique is typically used for tougher cuts of beef, such as flank steak, that require longer cooking times to become tender and flavorful.

How long to grill a flank steak? ›

How long does it take to grill flank steak? Flank steak is a relatively thin cut, but depending on the thickness of your piece, it should take 3 to 5 minutes per side over a very hot grill (around 400˚ to 450˚) or in a grill pan over medium-high heat.

What is the best method to cook flank steak? ›

Rub a flank steak with olive oil, season it with salt and pepper and slide it onto a foil-lined sheet pan for easy cleanup. Then just broil it until it's medium-rare, 6 to 8 minutes. No flipping needed.

What is the best technique for flank steak? ›

For a perfect medium-rare Flank steak on the stove, sear in a skillet for 12–13 minutes, turning about 1 minute before the halfway point. A meat thermometer should read 130°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal Flank steak's temperature to ensure it is cooked to the perfect level of doneness.

Why is my grilled flank steak tough? ›

The critical reason for this is that flank steak, although lean and tasty, is tougher than other cuts of beef due to the many long, thin fibers running through it. To help tenderize flank steak, it is often marinated and cooked by grilling, stir-frying, broiling, or smoking.

What happens if you marinate flank steak too long? ›

Soaking the meat beyond 48 hours will just leave the surface too soft and mushy. Short soaks don't do much for the texture, even if they add flavor. Make sure to let the meat marinate at least overnight for 12 hours before cooking if you want a more tender Flank steak.

Why is my flank steak so chewy? ›

Typically, leaner cuts like the flank or skirt can be chewy if not prepared correctly. Cooking Method: Overcooking can cause the steak to lose its moisture, making it dry and chewy. Conversely, undercooking can make certain cuts feel tough. Aging Process: Steaks that are not properly aged can be less tender.

Do you close the grill when cooking flank steak? ›

Since the steak is so thin, it cooks up incredibly quickly. Once your grill is preheated, place the meat directly on the grates and close the lid. Grill for 4-5 mins per side, or until the steak reaches your preferred internal temperature. Try not to cook flank steak beyond 145 degrees F.

How to grill a flank steak on a gas grill? ›

Instructions
  1. Oil Flank Steak & season with salt + pepper.
  2. Preheat grill to 400°F (medium-high).
  3. Sear for 1-2 minutes, then rotate.
  4. Cook addition 2-3 minutes, then rotate again.
  5. Cook another 2-3 minutes, then flip.
  6. Cook until internal temp reaches 135°F, about 5 minutes more.

Should you tenderize flank steak before grilling? ›

TIPS FOR GRILLED FLANK STEAK RECIPE

Pound the steak to an even, thin thickness to tenderize and for even cooking. Don't marinate much longer than 12 hours or the muscle fibers can break down and become mushy but please aim for 12 hours for optimal flavor and juiciness.

Do you rinse flank steak before cooking? ›

No, you should not rinse steak—or most other meat for that matter. "You should not rinse freshly cut steaks, chops, or even chicken breast,” World Master Chef Fred Tiess tells Southern Living.

Why is flank steak so good? ›

It's a flavorful piece of meat, but is very lean, containing almost no fat. Despite its toughness, it can be a tasty and tender if you learn how to prepare it properly. Flank steak benefits from marinating, and is best enjoyed grilled over high heat or slow-braised.

Is flank steak high quality? ›

Like round steaks, however, the flank steak requires a lot of additional components to meet its full potential. Flank steak can be a delicious, less expensive option, but the quality does not come with the steak alone. It comes with your own effort.

How do I make my steak tender and not tough? ›

7 Ways to Tenderize Steak
  1. Pounding. Using a meat mallet (or kitchen mallet) to pound steaks helps soften and tenderize the meat. ...
  2. Salting. Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. ...
  3. Marinating. ...
  4. Velveting. ...
  5. Slow Cooking. ...
  6. Enzymatic Application. ...
  7. Scoring.
Oct 18, 2022

Is it better to broil or bake flank steak? ›

Flank steak is on the thinner side, so it doesn't take much time to cook. For medium-rare flank steak cooked under the broiler, it takes about 8-12 minutes, depending on the steak's thickness. If you like your steak cooked to medium or medium-well, use the oven instead of the broiler.

How to make steak less chewy? ›

Tenderize the steak: Use a meat tenderizer to break down the muscle fibers in the steak. You can also use a marinade that contains acidic ingredients like vinegar or citrus juice, which can help to break down the connective tissues. Cook the steak to the right temperature: Overcooking can make a steak tough and chewy.

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