"Let Me Be The One" Grilled Flank Steak Salad with Pickled Celery

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Yo, wassup peeps! Welcome to a culinary adventure that combines the sizzling allure of a perfectly grilled flank steak with the refreshing charm of a vibrant salad. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this soulful grilled flank steak salad recipe that brings together tender, juicy steak, crisp vegetables, and a zesty dressing.

It's a delightful harmony of flavors and textures that will transport you to a world of mouthwatering satisfaction. So, fire up that grill and let's embark on a journey of soulful and wholesome goodness!

My favorite steak salad recipes are ones made with only a few ingredients and the individual parts are all delicious but even better when all the ingredients are combined.

You can't go wrong with a grilled flank steak salad and the pickled celery with this one makes it mo better!

For those days that I eat meat, outside of fish, flank steak or a similar cut is my go to lean option. What's not to like - it's easy to cook, highly flavorful, and pairs well with just about anything. By easy to cook I mean it's simply - sear both sides on high heat, rest, and serve!

This flank steak salad recipe proves the latter point on versatility. Here I enjoy it with a few simple ingredients like cherry tomatoes and baby greens. However, what really elevates this dish and makes it even more fun and delicious are the pickled celery.

What Is Flank Steak

Flank steak is a popular and flavorful cut of beef that comes from the abdominal area of the cow. It is a long, flat piece of meat with a pronounced grain. Known for its rich beefy flavor, it is valued for its versatility and is commonly used in various dishes such as fajitas, stir-fries, sandwiches, and salads. Flank steak is best cooked quickly over high heat to achieve a tender and juicy texture, and it pairs well with marinades and bold seasonings to enhance its natural taste.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with flank steak salad)

Flank Steak Salad Ingredients

For the Salad

• Flank steak
• Lime juice
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Pickled Celery
• Smoked Cherry Tomatoes
• Baby Spinach

For the vinaigrette

• Olive oil
• Lime juice
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

How To Make Flank Steak Salad Recipe (Step By Step)

For the vinaigrette

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl or medium bowl and set aside

For the Grilled Steak

Season steak with salt and pepper. Place in a large ziplock bag and add the lime juice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour

Remove from refrigerator and let steak reach room temperature. With a paper towel pat dry the steak.

Heat grill or grill pan on high heat. Place steak on the grill grates and grill 3-4 minutes each side.

Remove steak from heat and let rest 10-15 minutes. Feel free to leave covered with aluminum foil to retain heat. Thinly slice steak with a sharp knife cutting against the grain.

Assemble the Salad

Toss the baby spinach, tomatoes, and celery with the vinaigrette.

Add salad mix to each bowl and top each with sliced flank steak.

Top with your choice of cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro and red onions. Serve as is or add a nice chimichurri sauce on the side.

What To Serve With Steak Salad

I kept things pretty simple in terms of the different types of ingredients relying primarily on pickled celery and smoked cherry tomatoes to complement the steak.

Other options you can consider include corn (fresh corn or canned corn), avocado slices, crisp lettuce like romaine lettuce, and cheese (crumbled blue cheese, goat cheese, or cotija cheese.

Should I Marinate Flank Steak?

Most people typically marinate their flank steak. Flank is a lean cut and also a quick cook so marinades provide two benefits. One depending on the ingredients they tenderize the meat and two they add flavor. I personally most often bypass a marinade in favor of simple salt and pepper and some citrus. The citrus helps tenderize, but I'm just an old fashioned guy when it comes to my steaks. I prefer the natural flavor.

Are there alternatives to flank steak?

Flank steak should be readily available in most supermarkets. If not or if you just prefer a different cut skirt, hanger, or the lesser known Denver cut are all great substitutes. All three are flatter cuts which make for fast cooking and great flavor.

Cooking Tips For Steak Salad Recipes

• If grilling the steak then make sure to pat it dry first to avoid flare-ups
• Achieving flavorful flank steak is pretty easy. Season the steak well silmply with salt and pepper.
• Pre-heat the pan or grill ahead of time. Cook on super high heat. 3-4 minutes per side is a good rule of thumb.
• The steak will likely curl at the center making it difficult for it to cook evenly. The solution is to press down with a spatula and hold with steady pressure for the first minute of cooking
• Flank cooks quickly. Keep in mind it will continue to cook off heat so better to take off heat earlier vs. later. I prefer a medium rare finish which is about 130 degrees internal temperature for flank. If you prefer medium cook to 135 degrees.
• Let the steak rest a minimum of 5 minutes after cooking. If you cut into the steak and those juices leak out all over your cutting board, it means you cut the steak too early.
• Slice steak across the grain for most tender results
• Substitution ideas include making a simple vinaigrette with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, pickled red onion for the celery, or an alternative steak cut for the flank.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Grilled Steak Salad

How do I slice flank steak for a salad?

It's best to slice flank steak against the grain to ensure tenderness. Locate the lines of the muscle fibers (grain) and slice across those lines, making thin slices. This will result in more tender and bite-sized pieces of meat for your salad.

Can I use a different cut of meat for the grilled flank steak salad?

While flank steak is the traditional choice for this salad, you can experiment with other cuts of meat like skirt steak or sirloin if desired. Just keep in mind that cooking times and flavors may vary. Hanger steak, skirt steak, and Denver cut steak are good alternatives to flank steak. Additionally, you could also substitute bison steak in this dish.

Can I make the salad dressing in advance?

Absolutely! The salad dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good shake or stir before dressing the salad to ensure the ingredients are well incorporated.

Can I use the grilled flank steak for other dishes besides salads?

Absolutely! Grilled flank steak is versatile and can be used in various dishes. It can be served as a main course alongside roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes, sliced for sandwiches or wraps, or even used as a topping for nachos or tacos.

Should I Marinate Flank Steak?

Most people typically marinate their flank steak. Flank is a lean cut and also a quick cook so marinades provide two benefits. One depending on the ingredients they tenderize the meat and two they add flavor. I personally most often bypass a marinade in favor of simple salt and pepper and some citrus. The citrus helps tenderize, but I'm just an old fashioned guy when it comes to my steaks. I prefer the natural flavor.

What toppings work with a flank steak salad?

I recommend keeping the ingredients simple, but vary the texture in the salad to make the experience more interesting. In my version, the pickled celery not only provides acidity to break up the meat, but it also adds some crunch. The slow smoked tomatoes provide a mini bite explosion in your mouth. A good stinky cheese pairs well; I've used feta, blue, and parm. Sliced shallots or red onions provide some crunchiness. Spinach or arugula tends to be my greens of choice, but go with what works for you.

Special Equipment Needed

You'll need a grill for the recipe. I used an outdoor grill, specifically a charcoal grill (Kamado Joe), but a gas grill would work just fine. Also if you prefer to grill inside a nice grill pan would get the job done.

Making Flank Steak Salad

And there you have it - a tantalizing grilled flank steak salad bursting with incredible flavor. The succulent and perfectly grilled steak, combined with the vibrant medley of fresh vegetables and the zesty dressing, creates a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Whether you're looking for a satisfying meal, a delightful side dish, or a show-stopping centerpiece for your next gathering, this grilled flank steak salad will undoubtedly become a soulful favorite.

Make this flank steak salad recipe today! If you make it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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