How Much Does Flank Steak Cost?
Known to be one of the most inexpensive cuts of a cow, the flank steak is the cut from the abdominal muscles of the cow, basically right in the belly. Meaning “over the belly,” this is a long and flat cut used in a variety of dishes such as a London broil, stir-fry or carne asada. Serious Eats says this is most possibly the best dollar-to-flavor value out there.
With plenty of fat, juice and a deep, rich flavor, this tough cut can be tasty if sliced and prepared properly. Also known as fajita meat or Roumanian strip, it’s commonly sold to restaurants as a cut for fajitas and will often have the membrane attached to it, which needs to be cut off before it can even be cooked. For consumers, however, the membrane is often removed, making it easy for it to be prepared at home.
How much does flank steak cost?
The price of flank steaks, like other cuts of meat, will depend on the quality and where you purchase it. At most local grocery stores and butchers, you should plan on spending close to $7 to $11 per pound.
At Sam’s Club and Costco, for example, the costs are usually in the low $7 to $8 per pound range.
Wiencek’s Meat lists its prices on its official website, and at the time of this writing, they are charging $11 per pound.
Flank steak overview
The flank steak is boneless, lean and is commonly used for grilling or marinating. This cut, according to TheKitchn.com, has a lot of tough fibers running through it and is fairly lean. When compared to a skirt steak, it’s thicker and wider in size. Even though it can contain a beefy texture, it can be a little tough. To maximize its tenderness, cooks recommend thinly slicing and cutting against the grain.
At most butchers and grocery stores, you will find most flank steaks will be five to six inches wide and about a foot long.
Tips to know:
When choosing a cut, pay close attention to the girth since most flank steaks will be thin. Typically, a cut that’s fat on one end and skinnier on the other will be hard to cook evenly.
Flank steak can be grilled or baked depending on your preference. If cooking the steak on the grill, you should marinate it first; however, grilling will result in the loss of juices from the steak, so you should cook it quickly on high heat to prevent losing all the juice. Flank steak can also be baked. After putting the meat in a dish with some seasoning and olive oil, cover it tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees. This will cause the steam from the meat to collect within the pan, helping tenderize the meat.
Skirt steaks work well with any rubs and marinades. At the very minimum, flavor it with salt and pepper to increase its flavor.
If a recipe calls for flank steak and you’re looking for a substitute, you can consider a skirt, flat iron or hanger steak.
How to cook flank steak
How can I save money?
With a flank steak, you’re already saving money since it’s oftentimes half the price of a strip steak or rib eye. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t save even more money. Since meat is always on sale, compare a few stores in your area to see if any is on sale. If you have the freezer room, you can stock up on meat and store it for several months.
Even if you find the store is selling a larger-than-average steak, most meat departments will be more than happy to cut your steaks into sections for easier storage.
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Average Reported Cost: $135
How much did you spend?
- joe (poop, pooop) paid $250 and said:
seven
Was it worth it? No
- Dennis Barnes (SANTA FE, New Mexico) paid $20 and said:
Fuckin’ Whole Foods ! Only because Albertsons were out.
Was it worth it? Yes
