• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Kitchen Laughter logo

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Kitchen Laughter Recipes Blog » Beef

    Skirt Steak Vs Flank Steak

    Published: Jul 25, 2022 · Modified: Feb 2, 2023 by Ginny C · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Share
    Pin1
    1 Shares

    Nothing says “I love you” like a deliciously cooked steak dinner. When you are looking for the best available cuts of meat, you should know the differences between skirt steak vs flank steak.

    big piece of flank steak on a wooden background and a text box that reads Flank Vs Skirt Steaks
    Skirt Steak vs Flank Steak
    Contents hide
    1 🥩 Comparison between Skirt Steak Vs Flank Steak
    2 What is Skirt Steak?
    3 What is Flank Steak?
    4 👨‍🍳 How to Grill These Cuts
    5 ❗ Recipe Tips
    6 🍽️ How to Serve
    7 🥩 How to Store Leftovers
    8 More Recipes
    9 Recipe FAQ
    10 More Steak Recipes and Comparisons

    Many people get these two very similar cuts of meat confused. They are not the same cut at all but come from a very similar area of the cow. Skirt steak is cut from the diaphragm of the cow and flank steak comes from the lower abdomen of the cow. Both are very muscular, tough, and rich cuts of meat best served rare or medium-rare. Both handle marinades very well, although skirt steak is a little more receptive to marinades because of the more loose muscle fiber structure.

    🥩 Comparison between Skirt Steak Vs Flank Steak

    Skirt SteakFlank Steak
    CostLess Expensive per PoundMore Expensive per Pound
    TextureRough, Lean, Tougher,Tough, Slightly more tender than Skirt steak.
    FlavorMore IntenseIntense and Rich
    ThicknessVery thin cutLess thin cut
    Best FinishRare or Medium RareAny
    CutDiaphragmBottom of Abdomen
    Size> 1 Pound Whole: Very Thin and Long.2 Pounds Whole: Less Thin and Long
    Cooking MethodsSeared or GrilledSeared or Grilled
    A direct comparison between Flank Steak and Skirt Steak

    What is Skirt Steak?

    If you’ve ever wondered what meat is best for fajitas, the answer might very well be skirt steak. It is full of intense flavor, is a very thin cut of meat, and takes to marinades extremely well. As long as you cook the meat rare or medium-rare and cut it against the grain you will have a delicious treat for fajitas or simply as part of a steak and potatoes meal.

    skirt steak with some of the excess fat being cut off.
    Very wide and open grain

    Skirt steak is cut away from the diaphragm of a cow. The diaphragm is a muscle that helps makes the lungs work. This particular cut of meat is extremely lean, muscular, and tough. However, cooked properly it is also very tasty because the muscle concentration adds crazy flavor to the meat.

    Skirt steak meat is visibly rough and comes extremely thin to the point you can almost see through the ribbons of meat when you hold it up to the light. The muscle fibers are loosely connected.

    If you’re in a rush, grilling a skirt steak is the way to go. It works best for a hot and fast grill, like we did for the grilled skirt steak with black garlic aioli.

    top down view of the grilled skirt steak with black garlic aioli in a jar and drizzled on top.
    Slice the Skirt Steak AGAINST the Grain

    What is Flank Steak?

    When choosing a cut of beef for stir fry, you would be smart to reach for flank steak. Flank steak also gives skirt steak a run for its money when it comes time to make fajitas. This cut of meat has great flavor and a tight grain structure coupled with lower fat content. This makes it prone to chewiness if cooked incorrectly. It is possible to marinate flank steak, but the grain definition makes marinating less effective than it is for skirt steak.

    top down view of a thick piece of flank steak.
    Thick and Tightly Grained

    Flank steak should be cooked rare or medium-rare for best results, however, it will stand up to a higher temperature finish than skirt steak if you prefer your steaks medium-well. Flank steak comes from the lower abdomen of the cow and is almost all muscle. It is lean, tough, and low in fat.

    Both cuts of meat are long, thin, and skinny compared to other cuts of steak. However skirt steak is more long, thin, and skinny than flank steak.

    We have done both a grilled Tex-Mex Flank Steak and a Smoked Flank Steak. Both worked extremely well, and I definitely like the richness of the smoke flavors.

    👨‍🍳 How to Grill These Cuts

    Whether you choose prime vs choice steaks, prepping them will be the same. The best way to prepare both of these meats is to sear or grill the meats on high heat for a very short period of time with a rare or medium-rare finish. Your goal will be roughly 130ºF. For skirt steak, that goal temperature will take about three minutes per side. For flank steak, that goal temperature will take roughly five minutes per side.

    Both skirt steak and flank steak can be tough. Tenderize the meat before grilling it by pounding on it with a meat mallet. Marinating the meat properly will also help tenderize it.

    You can also smoke the flank steak, but you really need to monitor the temperatures closely.

    grilled and sliced flank steak topped with freshly chopped veggies.
    Grilled TexMex Flank Steak with Grilled Corn and Avocado Salsa

    USDA suggests beef be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees. Snag our Grilling Times and Temperature Chart to put in your cupboard for quick reference.

    ❗ Recipe Tips

    Always cook these meats rare or medium-rare for best results. That means you can have your meal from the refrigerator to the grill to the table in ten minutes or less! Skirt steak takes roughly three minutes per side on a hot grill and flank steak takes roughly five minutes per side.

    Always cut these meats against the grain! A well-defined grain structure will make it very easy to tell which way you should turn the meat on your cutting board to go against the grain instead of with the grain. One of the easiest ways to make sure you do this is to cut the meat at a catty-corner to the length of the cut.

    Marinate your meat. Both of these steak cuts will be tenderized significantly simply by soaking them in a good marinade. You will love how these steaks soak up the flavor and spice of your favorite mix. Dry rubs will be less effective.

    🍽️ How to Serve

    Use both of these two cuts of beef for fajitas, stir fry, on tacos or in salads, or even on top of a grain bowl. Serve the meat with sides according to your preparation of choice. You can even serve the meat plain with sides you would traditionally serve with Ribeye.

    sliced smoked flank steak on a cutting board with peppers, guacamole and pico de gallo.
    Smoked Flank Steak

    🥩 How to Store Leftovers

    Because both cuts are cooked rare or medium-rare, the leftovers can easily be used the next day. Add these steak pieces to scrambled eggs or a sunny-side-up egg for a delicious breakfast treat! Just a quick trip around a hot skillet is all the meat will need.

    To keep the leftovers, take the strips of meat you have left and put them in an airtight container in your refrigerator or freezer. You can also use a freezer-quality plastic zipper baggy.

    Frozen leftovers can be added to risotto in the Instant Pot, used in stir fry, rice dishes, tacos, or grain bowls, or tossed with a salad. Thaw briefly in the microwave or in a skillet as you cook the rest of your dish.

    More Recipes

    Smoked Flank Steak – I love the rich flavoring added by the wood chips.

    Grilled Tex Mex Flank Steak with Avocado Corn Salsa – Cut thin, this is a phenomenal recipe with grilled corn and avocado.

    Best Flank Steak Substitutes – It can be frustrating when the grocery store doesn’t have the cut in stock. Learn which substitutes can be used in a pinch.

    Cilantro Lime Skewers – This is a fast and delicious recipe with the tart lime and cilantro marinade.

    Recipe FAQ

    Are skirt steak and flank steak the same?

    No. These two cuts of meat come from different areas of the cow but both are very similar and each can be used as a substitute for the other.

    What is the difference between skirt steak and flank steak?

    Skirt steak is longer, thinner, and rougher than flank steak but both are generally considered long, thin, and lean cuts of meat. Flank steak has a more oval appearance and may be as much as 5/8″ thick.

    Can you substitute skirt steak for flank steak?

    Yes. In general, skirt steak makes the best substitute for flank steak and vice versa. The two types of meat come from a similar area of the cow, are both mostly muscle, and are long thin cuts with well-defined grain structures perfect for marinades and similar recipes.

    What cut of meat is skirt steak?

    Skirt steak is cut from the diaphragm of the cow, which is the muscle that allows the lungs to inhale and exhale. This cut is a thing, long, oddly shaped muscle.

    What cut of meat is flank steak?

    Flank steak is cut from the lower abdomen of the cow and is all muscle. This muscle is in near-constant use, making it the tougher of the two options. It is a thin, long, and oval-shaped meat.

    What is another name for skirt steak?

    Other names for skirt steak include Romanian tenderloin, Philadelphia steak, and Arrachera (in Mexico).

    What is another name for flank steak?

    Flank steak may also be called Beef flank, Jiffy steak, Fraldinha (in Brazil), Sobrebarriga (in Colombia), and Babette (in France).

    More Steak Recipes and Comparisons

    New York Strip vs Ribeye

    Ribeye vs Sirloin

    Ribeye vs Porterhouse

    Prime Rib vs Ribeye

    Can You Grill Frozen Steak?

    Flank vs Skirt Steak

    Porterhouse vs T-Bone Steak

    How to Tell if Steak Has Gone Bad

    Related Articles

    • Difference Between Porterhouse and T-Bone Steak
    • What is a Blue Steak?
    • How to Tell if a Steak is Bad
    • Smoked Baked Potatoes
    Skirt Steak Vs Flank SteakSkirt Steak Vs Flank Steak
    Share
    Pin1
    1 Shares
    « Best Gas Grills Under $300
    How to Reheat Ribs »

    Primary Sidebar

    Family Photo Join us as we fire up the 30 years of backyard grill and smoker experience to create recipes for your family and friends where memories are made. Learn more about us...

    Join the Kitchen Laughter Crew!

    Subscribe to get exclusive deals, tips, and the lastest info you need to step up your grilling game!

      We won't send you spam, but you can unsubscribe at any time. :-)

      Powered By ConvertKit
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

      Most Popular Posts

      Smoking Bacon on the Big Green Egg

      How to Home Cure and Smoke Bacon

      steelhead fillet on a sheet pan with two pads on an herbed butter.

      Grilled Steelhead Trout with Herb Butter

      aluminum pan filled with hot dog burnt ends on the grill.

      Hot Dog Burnt Ends

      Beer Can Chicken Fresh off the Grill

      Grilled Beer Can Chicken

      fillet of pacific rockfish topped with fresh herbs and brown butter.

      Grilled Brown Butter Wild Pacific Rockfish

      grilled whole Spanish Mackerel stuffed with Garlic on the Grill.

      Whole Grilled Spanish Mackerel

      whole head of cauliflower in a cast iron skillet in front of the big green egg.

      Smoked Cauliflower

      Grilled Pork Shoulder is Almost Ready after more than 11 hours

      Grilled Pork Shoulder

      graphic showing publications that kitchen laughter was featured in.
      • Home
      • About Us
      • Recipe Index
      • Resources

      Footer

      About

      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
      • Accessibility Policy

      Contact

      • Contact

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.