What Is Flat Iron Steak?

Flat iron steak has become much more popular over the last few years, and it is easy to see why.

It is tender, juicy, full of flavour and usually much more affordable than better-known steak cuts like sirloin, ribeye or fillet.

At True Bites, flat iron steak has become one of our most popular steaks, which says a lot about both its quality and value. When properly butchered and matured, it is a brilliant steak for the price.

What Is Flat Iron Steak?

Flat iron steak is a beef steak cut from the featherblade muscle, which sits around the shoulder blade of the animal.

The featherblade has a line of tough gristle running through it. To make flat iron steaks, a butcher carefully cuts through the featherblade and removes that thin layer of silver gristle.

When this is done properly, you are left with two long, fairly rectangular steaks. Their shape resembles an old-fashioned metal flat iron, which is where the name comes from.

Flat iron steak is known for being tender, flavourful and good value.

Where Does Flat Iron Steak Come From?

Flat iron steak comes from the chuck and blade area of beef, near the shoulder.

This part of the animal is usually associated with harder-working muscles and slower-cooking cuts, but the flat iron is a bit of a hidden gem.

Because it is taken from the featherblade and carefully trimmed, it can produce a surprisingly tender steak with plenty of beefy flavour.

Why Is It Called Flat Iron Steak?

Flat iron steak gets its name from its shape.

Once the featherblade has been trimmed and separated properly, the steaks are long, flat and rectangular, a bit like an old-fashioned metal flat iron.

It is not the most romantic name in the world, but it does make sense once you see the cut.

Is Flat Iron Steak Tender?

Yes, flat iron steak is usually very tender when butchered and cooked properly.

The important bit is that the tough gristle running through the featherblade has been removed. If that has been done well, flat iron steak can be one of the most tender and affordable steak cuts around.

It also has a good depth of flavour, making it a great choice if you want something a bit different from sirloin, rump or ribeye.

Is Flat Iron Steak Tough?

Flat iron steak should not be tough if it has been properly butchered and not overcooked.

If your flat iron steak is tough, it is usually because of one of two things:

• the internal gristle has not been removed properly
• the steak has been overcooked

Flat iron steak is best served medium rare to medium. If you like steak well done, this probably is not the best cut for you.

What Does Flat Iron Steak Taste Like?

Flat iron steak has a deep, beefy flavour with a natural sweetness.

It is not usually as fatty as ribeye, but it has more character than some leaner steak cuts. When matured properly and cooked quickly over high heat, it gives you a tender steak with proper flavour.

Why Is Flat Iron Steak Good Value?

Flat iron steak is usually better value than more famous steaks because it comes from the shoulder area rather than the classic premium steak sections.

That does not mean it is lower quality. It just means it needs proper butchery.

When the featherblade is prepared correctly and the gristle is removed, flat iron steak becomes a fantastic cut: tender, flavourful and often more affordable than sirloin or ribeye.

Does Flat Iron Steak Need Maturing?

Flat iron steak benefits from proper maturing.

It is usually recommended that flat iron steak is matured for at least 7 days, although exact ageing times depend on the butcher, the beef and the process used.

Maturing helps improve tenderness and flavour, which is especially useful for a cut like flat iron.

Why Is Flat Iron Steak Sometimes Scored?

Flat iron steak is often scored on the top, and sometimes the bottom, in a criss-cross pattern.

Scoring can help break down any small amount of connective tissue left on the surface, but it is mainly used to increase the surface area of the steak.

This helps the steak cook quickly over a high heat, encourages better browning, and can help stop the steak curling while it cooks.

What Is the Best Way to Cook Flat Iron Steak?

The best way to cook flat iron steak is quickly over a high heat.

A cast iron griddle, skillet, frying pan or BBQ all work well.

The aim is to sear the outside quickly while keeping the inside juicy and pink. Flat iron steak should be cooked medium rare at most for the best eating experience.

If you prefer steak cooked well done, you may be better choosing a different cut, such as sirloin, because flat iron can become tough when overcooked.

How to Cook Flat Iron Steak

1. Remove the flat iron steak from its packaging.
2. Let it sit at room temperature for around 10 minutes before cooking.
3. Brush lightly with oil.
4. Season with sea salt just before cooking.
5. Heat a cast iron griddle, skillet or frying pan until hot.
6. Add the steak to the pan.
7. Cook for around 6 minutes in total, turning once halfway through.
8. Remove from the pan and rest on a warm plate for 5 minutes.
9. Add black pepper before serving if you like.

Can You BBQ Flat Iron Steak?

Yes, flat iron steak is excellent on the BBQ.

In fact, BBQ cooking is one of the best ways to cook it because flat iron steak loves high heat and quick cooking.

Season the steak, cook over a hot BBQ, then rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

For more BBQ advice, read our guide on how to BBQ.

What Temperature Should Flat Iron Steak Be?

Flat iron steak is best cooked medium rare to medium.

For the best result, use a meat thermometer and remember that the steak will continue to cook slightly while resting.

How Should You Slice Flat Iron Steak?

Flat iron steak should be sliced against the grain.

This helps shorten the muscle fibres and gives you a more tender bite.

After resting, slice the steak into strips and serve straight away. It is great for steak salads, wraps, sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls or simply served with chips and peppercorn sauce.

Flat Iron Steak vs Sirloin

Flat iron steak and sirloin are both popular steak cuts, but they are quite different.

Sirloin comes from the loin and is one of the classic premium steak cuts. It is lean, tender and well known.

Flat iron comes from the shoulder area and is usually more affordable. When butchered correctly, it is also tender and full of flavour, but it needs to be cooked quickly and not overdone.

If you want a classic steak, choose sirloin. If you want value, flavour and something a bit different, flat iron is a great choice.

For more on sirloin, read our guide on what sirloin steak is.

Flat Iron Steak vs Rump

Rump steak is another good-value steak, but it usually has a firmer texture than flat iron.

Flat iron is often more tender, while rump has a strong beefy flavour and can be more familiar to UK customers.

Both are good choices, but flat iron is worth trying if you want a tender steak without paying ribeye or fillet prices.

What to Serve with Flat Iron Steak

Flat iron steak works with all the classic steak sides.

Serve it with chips, mash, roast potatoes, salad, grilled vegetables, mushrooms, onion rings, peppercorn sauce, garlic butter or chimichurri.

It also works really well sliced for wraps, steak sandwiches, rice bowls, tacos and salads.

Browse our steak collection or full beef range for more steak ideas.

Tips for Cooking Flat Iron Steak

• Cook it quickly over high heat.
• Do not overcook it.
• Use a hot pan, griddle, skillet or BBQ.
• Season just before cooking.
• Cook to medium rare or medium at most.
• Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
• Slice against the grain for the best texture.

Final Thoughts

Flat iron steak is a brilliant steak cut if you want flavour, tenderness and value.

It comes from the featherblade muscle in the shoulder area and needs careful butchery to remove the internal gristle. When prepared properly, it gives you a tender, juicy steak at a fraction of the cost of some better-known cuts.

Cook it hot and fast, rest it properly, slice against the grain, and do not overcook it.

If you have not tried flat iron steak yet, it is definitely worth adding to your steak night list.

FAQs

What is flat iron steak?

Flat iron steak is a beef steak cut from the featherblade muscle near the shoulder blade. It is tender, flavourful and usually good value.

Where does flat iron steak come from?

Flat iron steak comes from the chuck and blade area of beef, near the shoulder.

Is flat iron steak tender?

Yes, flat iron steak is usually very tender if it has been properly butchered and the internal gristle has been removed.

Is flat iron steak tough?

Flat iron steak should not be tough unless it has been overcooked or not butchered properly. It is best served medium rare to medium.

What is another name for flat iron steak?

Flat iron steak is cut from the featherblade muscle. Featherblade steak is related, but flat iron is prepared in a specific way by removing the gristle.

How do you cook flat iron steak?

Cook flat iron steak quickly over a high heat in a hot pan, skillet, griddle or on the BBQ. Cook for around 6 minutes in total, turning once, then rest for 5 minutes.

Can you BBQ flat iron steak?

Yes, flat iron steak is excellent on the BBQ because it cooks well over high heat and has plenty of flavour.

Is flat iron steak cheaper than sirloin?

Flat iron steak is often cheaper than sirloin, ribeye or fillet, while still being tender and full of flavour when butchered correctly.