Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak

7 Reviews
ADD YOUR REVIEW
Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Buffy Hargett
Prep Time
5 Mins
Cook Time
10 Mins
Stand Time
5 Mins
Yield
Makes 4 servings
By Marian Cooper Cairns, Birmingham, Alabama
November 2007
RECIPE BY Southern Living

The trick to a great crust on this flat iron steak is to use a very hot skillet; a large cast-iron or heavy stainless steel skillet works best. Have your hood fan on high—there will be some smoke. If you can't find flat iron steak in your local market, a top blade chuck or sirloin steak will work just fine.

Ingredients

  • 1 (1-lb.) flat iron steak
  • 2 teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

How to Make It

Step 1

Rub steak evenly with steak seasoning and salt.

Step 2

Cook in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut diagonally across the grain into thin strips.

Step 3

Note: For testing purposes only, we used McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning.

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Ratings & Reviews

Great!

BlossomingChef
April 06, 2017
I made this using flank steak that I had in the freezer and it was very good. I let the spices sit on the meat for several hours in fridge, then room temp, then put on the grill. I used indirect heat for 2 minutes per side, let it rest 5 minutes = great and flavorful. VERY quick and easy!

Cooking Time Problem

karenfar
January 06, 2017
I agree that "steak rub and cook in a hot skillet" is not a recipe, but I've never had a flatiron steak before, suspecting them of being some cheap, tough, Northern cut.  I was mainly interested in the cooking time for pan broiling such a steak.  The steak my wife brought home was about an inch thick, so with these cooking times and technique, the steak was crusty on the outside and mostly cool and very bright red in the middle.  My English wife found it too raw even for her sensibilities. I would recommend the method I use for pretty much any other steak:  rub it with what you want, allow it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and get your cast iron, or other heavy skillet hot. Sear each side of the steak for about a minute.  Turn down heat to medium and cook each side for 3 minutes or more, depending on thickness.  My one-incher should have gone to about 6 minutes for medium rare.

keash3's Review

JoyfulCook
August 26, 2013
Somehow sprinkling a steak with Montreal Steak Seasoning doesn't quite seem like a recipe to me although I do LOVE montreal steak seasoning. I could've figured this one out on my own. Southern Living has deteriorated which is why I am no longer subscribing.

JoyfulCook's Review

quarshie315
October 06, 2012
N/A

quarshie315's Review

Lafitte
September 16, 2012
omg this was awesome...i was suprised at how tender it was...i used the kosher and i used mccormicks grill mates steak seasoning and i am licking my lips for more!!! why didnt i think of this easy recipe before? 2 thumbs up!

SFCbandb's Review

SFCbandb
August 27, 2012
I use sirloin steak and old skillet on the grill to minimize smoke. So quick, so easy, and so delicious! One of my favorite recipe's.

BlossomingChef's Review

keash3
May 20, 2010
Tried this recipe tonight! I wanted to make a quick meal with things I had in my freezer. I've had flat iron steaks in there for a while so I figured it was time to cook them, but I didn't want a lenghty process. The prep time is awesome. You can prep while the vegetable oil heats up in the pan. The steak turned out juicy and rather tender! I think I got a little shake happy and used a bit too much salt but other than that, I would definitely cook this again! Now, the real test comes when my boyfriend gets home...