Grilled Tender Flank Steak -- The Birthday Dinner That Made the Night Feel Complete

Tyler turned 18 on May 1 Thursday. Dinner here. Steak. Sheet cake. Gayle gave him an envelope with $500 "for his future." He hugged her.

Justin 18 in three weeks.

Drove Tuesday.

Gayle had a decent week.

When you’re feeding a table full of people celebrating something as big as an 18th birthday, you want a meal that feels worthy of the moment — and for us, that’s always steak. Flank steak grilled until it’s just tender enough to slice thin and pile high is the kind of dinner that says this night matters without making you spend the whole evening in the kitchen. This is the recipe I keep coming back to for exactly those occasions.

Grilled Tender Flank Steak

Prep Time: 15 min (plus 2 hrs marinating) | Cook Time: 12 min | Total Time: 2 hrs 27 min | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Marinate the steak. In a shallow dish or zip-top bag, whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Add the flank steak, turning to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
2. Preheat the grill. Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat your grill or grill pan to high heat and lightly oil the grates.
3. Grill the steak. Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill for 5–6 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until a meat thermometer reads 130–135°F at the thickest part.
4. Rest before slicing. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
5. Slice and serve. Cut the steak thinly against the grain at a slight diagonal. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 310 | Protein: 38g | Fat: 15g | Carbs: 4g | Fiber: 0g | Sodium: 720mg