I love cooking different things with a flank steak, and this Air Fryer Flank Steak with Zhoug is on the top of the list of things I like to make with it.
I used to struggle with cooking flank steak because it's not one of the best cuts of steak to work with. It can be easy to turn a flank steak into a flat, lifeless, tasteless piece of meat.
However, if cooked correctly, flank steak can be made fast and tender. If you follow this recipe for Flank Steak with Zhoug, you will see flank steak in a whole new light.
Can Flank Steak Be Cooked In The Air Fryer?
You might be thinking, "Steak in the air fryer???" Yes, you read that right, steak in the air fryer. You may be concerned with the dryness of the steak or if it will get done on the outside before the middle has barely had time to heat up.
If you follow my directions, you will make a delicious Flank Steak with Zhoug for dinner with little effort involved.
What is Zhoug?
If you've never heard of Zhoug before, you're not alone. It's not common, especially in the States It's a delicious Middle Eastern sauce that's spicy and made with herbs.
There are a few ways to make it but, cilantro is usually the main ingredient or herb. It's super easy to make and has a very delicious, bold taste.
I find this endlessly versatile, ultra keto friendly, easy to make, and tasty. It also keeps well for at least a week in the refrigerator.
It's actually one of the main ways in which I use up cilantro that's languishing in my vegetable drawer.
How Long Does A Flank Steak Take To Cook In The Air Fryer?
Due to the thin cut of this steak, you can cook it in as few as 8 minutes with the help of your air fryer.
So, if you're wanting to get dinner on the table quickly, this is the protein you'll reach for again and again.
Ingredients You'll Need
While this ingredient list may seem daunting, if you have a well-stocked pantry and spice rack, you shouldn't need to grab too many extra ingredients to make this tasty Air Fried Flank Steak.
For the Marinade
- Dark beer or orange juice
- Lemon Juice
- Olive Oil
- Sriracha Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- Ground Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Garlic Cloves
- Flank steak
For the Zhoug
- Cilantro leaves
- Garlic Cloves
- Serrano peppers
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Coriander
- Kosher Salt
- Olive Oil
How To Cook Flank Steak In The Air Fryer
Prepare The Marinade
- Whisk together the beer, lemon juice, oil, sriracha, brown sugar, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic.
- Place the steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the steak and seal the bag. Turn the steak to coat both sides.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour or up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally.
Make The Zhoug
- In a food processor, combine the cilantro, garlic, jalapenos, cumin, coriander, and salt. Process until finely chopped.
- Add oil and pulse to form a loose paste.
- Transfer the zhoug to a glass container. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
Air Fry The Flank Steak
- Remove the steak from the marinade and place it in the air-fryer. Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F when tested with a meat thermometer.
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest. Slice the steak across the grain. Serve with zhoug.
Tips And Tricks For Cooking Flank Steak
Three things to remember with flank steak.
- Marinate the steak in an acidic mixture (vinegar, juice, etc.) to tenderize it. You're going to cook it fast, so the more tender the meat before you start, the better off you are.
- Cook it fast, and do not overcook. Flank steak can get dry and stringy if overcooked. So err on the side of undercooking. Instead, let it rest so that it continues to cook with residual heat. This also gives the meat a chance to pick up all the juices.
- Slice against the grain. This is surprisingly important with flank steam. I like to cut it on the bias to get a lot of "middle" meat on each slice rather than just top and bottom browned pieces if that makes sense.
If you're looking for a super easy and quick dinner that makes you feel like a fancy chef, this Flank Steak with Zhoug recipe will definitely take you there.
The zhoug gives the steak a perfect burst of flavor and spice which is the perfect kick. One of my favorite things to do is pair it with potatoes because steak and potatoes are the perfect pair if you ask me.
Plus, it makes for a hearty dinner and full bellies which results in a happy family.
How Long Does It Last?
Since Flank Steak is such a thin cut of meat, it doesn't reheat as well as some other cuts of beef. That being said, you CAN save your leftovers for 2-3 days after preparing them.
For the most ideal reheating, keep the time and temperature you are warming the steak to a minimum. If overcooked, flank steak can become rather chewy.
What Do You Serve With Flank Steak?
The reason I love this recipe so much is that it's so easy to pair with side dishes.
Some meals really only allow for one or two side dishes to go with them because the flavors are so specific. Not this dish; Flank Steak with Zhoug goes well with just about any side dish you can think of.
Here are some of my favorite things to pair with this Air Fryer Flank Steak:
Other Recipes To Check Out
- If you're looking for a good side dish to this recipe, check out my Rosemary Roasted Potatoes. They're a great use for extra potatoes in your pantry and are easy to make in your air fryer.
- Another great air fryer recipe is my Spicy Lamb Sirloin Steak. It's crazy delicious and cooks in no time!
- If you're looking for more great flanks steak recipes, check out my Air Fried Beef Satay.
- Have some leftover flank steak? Use it to make these delicious Flank Steak Fajitas!
- If you're looking for a great side dish to pair with this, check out my Barley Pilaf With Mushrooms!
If you love this Air Fryer Flank Steak with Zhoug as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 1/2 cup (118 g) dark beer , or orange juice
- 14 cup (3.42 kg) Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Sriracha Sauce
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Brown Sugar, or 1 tablespoon Truvia for low carb
- 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) Ground Cumin
- 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) Smoked Paprika
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Ground Black Pepper
- 3 (3 ) Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1.5 pounds (680.39 g) flank steak, trimmed and cut into 3 pieces
For the Zhoug
- 1 cup (16 g) packed cilantro leaves
- 2 (2 ) Garlic Cloves
- 2 (2 ) Serrano peppers, stemmed and coarsely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Ground Cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) Ground Coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) Kosher Salt
- 2-4 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Olive Oil
Instructions
For the Marinade
- In a small bowl, whisk together the beer, lemon juice, oil, sriracha, brown sugar, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic.
- Place the steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the steak and seal the bag. Turn the steak to coat both sides.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour or up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally.
Meanwhile, for the zhoug
- In a food processor, combine the cilantro, garlic, jalapenos, cumin, coriander, and salt. Process until finely chopped.
- Add 2 tablespoons oil and pulse to form a loose paste, adding up to 2 tablespoons more oil if needed.
- Transfer the zhoug to a glass container. Cover and store in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before serving if marinating more than 1 hour.
Cooking the Steak
- Remove the steak from the marinade and place in the air-fryer; discarding the marinade. Set the air-fryer to 400°F for 8-10 minutes for medium, 145°F when tested with a meat thermometer.
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak across the grain. Serve with zhoug.
- Since much of the caloric marinade isn't consumed, actual calorie and macros are probably lower than what is listed here.
- If you're in a rush, you could also just salt and pepper the steak and make it plain, since the zhoug has a lot of flavor.
- By the same token, you could have the steak without much of a dipping sauce if you wanted to cut out a step. They go well together, but each is flavorful enough to stand on its own..
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Nutrition
Don't forget to check out my Air Fryer Cookbook!
Renee Moore
This was amazing!!! The flavors were extraordinary...and I only made the marinated steak part...next time I’ll add the Zhoug...but I ate the steak..with a corn, avocado, and tomato salad that had cilantro in it...I also had a beer...sorry got to go...the leftover piece is calling!!
URVASHI PITRE
Yass! So glad. And you must make the Zhoug. You will eat it over everything.
Jane M. Lueneburg
14 cups of lemon juice? I don't think so!......