Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak with Blue Cheese Crust Recipe
This Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak with Blue Cheese Crust is a flavorful and elegant dish featuring tender flank steak marinated in a tangy balsamic mixture, then broiled and topped with a rich blue cheese and crispy panko breadcrumb crust. Perfect for a special dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe balances savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with a luscious cheesy finish.
- Author: Sophie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Steak and Marinade
- 1.5–2 lbs flank steak
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 green onions, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (preferably dark)
Blue Cheese Crust
- 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
- ½ tablespoon butter
- Prepare the Marinade: In a 9×13” baking dish, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, roughly chopped green onions, and dark brown sugar until well combined to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Steak: Score the top of the flank steak in 1-inch sections to help flavor penetration. Place the steak in the marinade, ensuring it is well coated, and let it sit for 30–45 minutes on one side. Spoon marinade into the scored sections for enhanced flavor, then flip and marinate the other side for an additional 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat the Broiler: Preheat your oven to high broil. Position the oven rack near the top but make sure it does not touch the meat to ensure even broiling without burning.
- Initial Broil of Steak: Place the marinated flank steak scored side up on a broiler pan. Broil for 3 minutes, then flip and broil the other side for another 3 minutes. This helps start the cooking and creates a nice sear.
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture: Melt the ½ tablespoon of butter in a small pan or microwave, then mix it thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs to create a buttery, crispy topping.
- Apply Blue Cheese Crust: Flip the steak again so the scored side faces up. Press the crumbled blue cheese firmly into the scored sections of the steak, then evenly sprinkle the buttery breadcrumb mixture over the top of the cheese.
- Final Broil: Broil the steak for an additional 5 minutes or until the blue cheese melts and the breadcrumb topping becomes browned and crispy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the steak from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice the steak thinly against the grain and serve warm to enjoy the full depth of flavors and tender texture.
Notes
- Allowing the steak to marinate longer will deepen the flavor but do not exceed 2 hours to prevent the vinegar from overpowering the meat.
- Scoring the steak helps the marinade penetrate and also allows the cheese crust to adhere better.
- Use a broiler pan to catch drippings and ensure even heat distribution for broiling.
- Resting the steak before slicing is crucial to maintain juiciness and tenderness.
- This recipe pairs well with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad to balance the rich blue cheese crust.
Keywords: flank steak, balsamic marinade, blue cheese crust, broiled steak, panko breadcrumb crust, savory dinner