Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula Recipe (2024)

Go To Recipe

Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula Recipe (1)

Last Updated on October 7, 2021 by Anne-Marie

You'll love grilling up this keto-friendly Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula recipe.

Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula Recipe (2)

Why this recipe works

I find I'm always grilling even in the dead of winter. I just can’t wait until it’s warmer to treat myself to a tasty steak that’s marinated and grilled just right.

What I love about keto flank steak is that it’s also ideal for busy people who are budget minded.

That’s because flank is a fairly economical cut of beef that grills up in no time.

Plus, this grilled keto flank steak recipe is so easy to prepare with just a minimum of planning.

Making grilled flank steak is quick and easy

Get the beef marinating in the refrigerator before you head off for work in the morning. Then bring the flank steak up to room temperature when you get home.

I know the Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula recipe says only to marinate it for only six hours, but I don’t see how doing so for a few hours more would be too much of a big deal.

If you think the soy-lemon marinade would over flavor the meat, add 1/2 cup of water to the marinade to dilute it a bit.

You can put the steaks in the marinade for just an hour, too.

So if you’re in a rush and didn’t have time in the morning, when you get home from work, make up the marinate quickly and get the flank steak into a baggie or bowl.

Then change out of your work clothes and cook up your side dishes.

Make up a few co*cktails and set the table. That should take up an hour, right?

How to tenderize your flank steak

Use a Jaccard Supertendermatic 48-Blade Tenderizer to prevent the flank steak from shrinking and curling up when it’s being grilled.

(That sometimes happens with cheaper and tougher cuts of meat.)

Many of my readers have bought the Supertendermatic and emailed to tell me that they love it!

You can use it on chicken breasts and when making carne asada, too.

Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula Recipe (3)

Tips for making keto grilled flank steak

On keto? This is a low carb keto flank steak recipe as long as you use sugar free ingredients. (See below.)

Though I doubt there’s enough sugar in the marinade (2 tablespoons) to add that many carbs once you remove the meat.

Arugula, which is also known as rocket, has 2 grams of net carbs in one serving. One serving is 4 CUPS, so you don’t have to worry about that ingredient either.

If you love arugula, which is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, folic acid and calcium, maybe you should start adding it to your keto diet! I love its peppery taste and mix it in with my other salad greens.

Making a sugar free marinade: If you want to make a sugar-free keto flank steak marinade, substitute Swerve Sweetener, Brown for the light brown sugar.

I love Swerve Sweetener and use it in all my sugar free cooking and baking.

If you are on a gluten free diet, use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce. If you're on a low salt diet, look for a low sodium tamari.

More tips for making grilled flank steak

No fresh lemons? It’s OK to use bottled lemon juice if you forget to pick up fresh ones at the store. I won’t tell if you don’t.

Entertaining? Want to make Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula for a backyard barbecue party? Just triple the recipe and break out the paper plates!

Side dishes to make with flank steak

How about some tasty:

Roasted Marinated Vegetables (gluten free)

Easy Mexican Rice (gluten free)

Gluten Free Tabbouleh Recipe (gluten free)

Marinated Asparagus (keto and low carb friendly)

Yield: 4 SERVINGS

Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula Recipe

Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula Recipe (4)

A keto flank steak recipe that's quick, easy, and budget-friendly. The keto flank steak marinade is also gluten-free.

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or gluten free tamari sauce
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar or Swerve Sweetener, Brown
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 1/2 pounds flank steak
  • 1/2 bunch (about 2 ounces) arugula, leaves torn if large
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Whisk together oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl. Place flank steak inside a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Add marinade, press out excess air, and seal. Let stand, turning bag occasionally, at least 1 hour at room temperature, or up to 6 hours in the refrigerator (if refrigerating, let come to room temperature before grilling).
  2. Heat grill to medium-high. Remove meat from marinade, reserving marinade, and pat off excess with paper towels. Grill, uncovered, turning once until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 130 degrees for medium-rare, about 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, transfer marinade to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
  4. Slice meat against the grain and arrange on a platter. Arrange arugula on top; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons sauce over grilled flank steak and arugula. Serve with remaining sauce and lemon wedges.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate Affiliate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Jaccard 48-Blade Meat Tenderizer Tool

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 489Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 1298mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 49g

Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.

Originally published May 13, 2014 and May 19, 2016. Updated with new pictures and information.

Recipe and image used with permission by Martha Stewart Living, May 2014 issue.

Photography by Ryan Liebe.

Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak with Arugula Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

The best way to cook flank steak is to tenderize it with a mallet, marinate it first for at least 8–12 hours, then sear it on both sides and bake/broil it until it reaches 125–130 degrees, then let it rest and slice it thinly against the grain.

How long does it take to grill flank steak? ›

Follow the directions for how long to grill Flank steak. For the perfect medium-rare Flank steak, grill for 9–12 minutes, turning about 1 minute before the halfway point. A meat thermometer should read 130°F. Rest your Flank steak for 5 minutes before serving, covering lightly with foil.

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.

What is too long to marinate flank steak? ›

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.

Does flank steak get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Slow cooking a flank steak makes it incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful. Give this recipe a try and impress your family and friends!

Is it better to marinate or dry rub flank steak? ›

The big advantage of dry rubs, and the reason we love using them so much, is that they don't add any additional moisture to the exterior of a piece of meat the way that a marinade does.

Do you close the grill when cooking steak? ›

When grilling, do I leave the lid open or closed? This depends on what you're cooking, the size/type of your barbecue and the weather outside. In a professional restaurant kitchen setting, where taste matters more than energy efficiency, chefs typically cook steaks on a grill that has no lid.

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.

Should you poke holes in flank steak before marinating? ›

Before marinating your meat, prick some holes into the meat with a sharp fork. This will allow the marinade to get deeper into the meat, and faster.

What is the secret to grilling a tender steak? ›

The trick for perfect grilled steak is to create two heat zones on your grill – one side will be screaming hot with a high flame, while the second side will be unlit and cooler.

What seasoning goes on steak? ›

Usually, that seasoning is kosher salt and black pepper, but some recipes call for a steak rub, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and other herbs and spices.

Should flank steak be room temperature before cooking? ›

You also want to start cooking when your meat is at room temperature, so take the meat out of the fridge at least 45 minutes before cooking; if you're only doing an hour for your brine or marinade, don't bother sticking it back in the fridge at all.

Why is my flank steak so 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.

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.

Why was my grilled flank steak tough? ›

Flank steak is known for being a finicky cut, and if you accidentally keep it on the grill for even a minute too long, you can end up with one that's dense and chewy rather than tender. Don't worry, though. If you know what you're doing, flank steak can be just as delicious as any other, more expensive slab of meat.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 5771

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.