Grilled Flank Steak with Mojo Salsa
A citrus marinated flank steak grilled to medium rare and topped with an orange oregano salsa
Grilling is absolutely one of my favorite hobbies. Rain or shine I always have a smile on my face while I’m searing a steak or smoking some poblano chilies. From a practical busy mom standpoint, I love that the amount of dishes filing up my sink is minimal to produce a great meal. I have been counting the days until my little ones are ready for an allowance and therefore dish duty! 🙂
Flank steak is a favorite of mine to toss on the old barbie because of its quick cooking time, ability to take on marinade and the mighty beef flavor this steak possesses. Mojo sauce is a favorite Cuban sauce and marinade I utilize all grilling season. The brightness of the citrus works beautifully with grilled meats and plays exceptionally nice with a crisp Rosé. While I was staring at this week’s ingredients of flank, grapefruit, and oregano mojo was a no brainer for me. But why stop with the marinade or sauce when you can take the beautiful oranges and oregano and make a killer salsa to send the flavor over the top!
A few quick notes on flank steak. While its full of flavor and can take on any marinade you throw its way it can’t take being over cooked. You medium well folks had better pass on this one because cooked past medium rare flank is so tough and chewy that you will be praying for your dog to be hiding under the table! Another tip is to pay attention to the grain of the steak, or the way that the muscle fibers run. You will notice the muscle fiber “lines” will all run one direction. To maximize the tenderness of your steak be sure to cut across the grain. One final note is to watch your marinade. With my marinade a huge benefit is that you don’t need to marinate the steak for longer than 30 minutes and you don’t want to. If left any longer the high acidity of the marinade will begin to “cook” your steak and you don’t want that!
A citrus marinated grilled flank steak cooked medium rare and served with an orange oregano salsa
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 teaspoons oregano fresh leaves chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 cup grapefruit juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup canola/vegetable oil
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 1 cup fresh oranges (about 4 oranges) diced
- 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 medium jalapeno seeds removed and minced
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 2 small garlic cloves minced
- 3/4 teaspoon oregano fresh leaves chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
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Mix together all marinade ingredients except the flank steak in a large non reactive bowl. Pour mixture over flank steak in a resealable heavy duty plastic bag. Refrigerate and marinade for 25 minutes.
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In medium sized bowl lightly toss together all of the salsa ingredients and set aside.
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Preheat grill to medium high heat. Remove steak from marinade and discard marinade. Grill steak for 4 minutes each side for medium rare doneness. Remove steak from grill and allow to rest 5 minutes. To serve slice steak against the grain and top with mojo salsa.
Do not marinade steak for longer than 30 minutes as the acidity in the marinade will "cook" the steak.