Flank steak and skirt steak are stunning tasting meats, but which one is considered the best? There is a need to first know the difference and similarities, before concluding which is the best. In most of your recipes, these meat steaks can be used interchangeably. So how are they different from each other? Flank steak comes from the abdominal area of a cow and since the muscle content in this area is rich, the muscle fibers are tough.
Skirt meat is obtained from the cow’s diaphragm. This steak has more tough muscle fibers than the flank steak. To understand more about these two types of steak and come up with the best, keep reading through the entire article.
What is a Flank Steak and Where is it Obtained?
Flank steak is a wider, thicker, and admirable beef cut that is obtained from the abdominal or rather the flank section of a steer. The abdominal part of the cow experiences a heavy workload in its entire life, thus the flank steak is tougher and lean compared to other cuts such as filets or ribeye. The flank steak features strong beefy flavors and needs more time on the grill. Flank steak is also commonly known as London Broil or bavette steak in some places.
What is a Skirt and Where is it Obtained
A skirt steak is a thin and long cut that is obtained from the diaphragm of a steer. Precisely, the skirt steak comes from the inside muscles of the cow’s abdominal cavity- the plate. The muscles in this section are worked throughout the animal’s life, thus they are tough by nature. The skirt steak has a considerable amount of fat that tenderizes the meat when it is on the grill. When we talk about the flavor, skirt steak is overflowing with beefy flavor and can make a tasty meal when prepared correctly.
Similarities Between Flank Steak and Skirt Steak
Both flank steak and skirt steak features similar properties as outlined below:
- Both features significantly lean and tough cuts compared to other cuts. Due to this, the steaks are best served medium to maintain the tender and ideal texture.
- Both steaks are best cooked quickly and over high heat. The best way is to sear the steak cuts with high heat to get a crispy outer layer while the inside stays medium-rare or medium ideal.
- Each of the cuts is great in beefy flavor and you can get more beef forward flavors with these two compared to other cuts.
- Both steaks respond perfectly to marinades which tenderize the steaks as well as adding flavor to food.
Differences Between Flank Steak and Skirt Steak
- Skirt steak is a significantly thinner cut compared to flank steak. Due to this, the cut cooks a bit quicker and it is also easy to manage on your grill, mostly when cooking at searing temperatures.
- Comparatively, skirt steak boasts a higher fat content compared to flank steak. This simply means that your skirt steak will be quite easier to work with. When cooking this cut, fat warming accompanied by rendering enables the breakdown of tough muscles and also offers a tender and tastier result. Additionally, the skirt steak is more receptive to marinades compared to flank steak, although both have shown great results.
- Skirt steak is less expensive per pound compared to flank steak. Both are cheaper cuts and perfect deals every time but if you are on a budget, go for the skirt steak.
- Considering the flavor, skirt steak is beefier than its counterpart. Skirt steak is also tougher than flanks steak thus the need to include Marinade when cooking it.
Which is Better- Flank Steak or Skirt Steak?
Flank and skirt steak have proven to be great and with incredible results, but each cut has its pros and cons. Moreover, each cut has its admirers who claim it is better for some reasons.
While both are amazing cuts, if you were to choose the better cut, skirt steak is the better choice. Although it is less tender it has a beefier taste and if cooked properly, tenderness will not be an issue. On top of that, Skirt steak cooks much faster and is less expensive than flank steak. Altogether, skirt steak takes it all, but still flanks steak is an amazing option.
When Can You Pick One Over The Other
For most dishes, skirt steak is the preferred choice including stir-fry, fatijas, and cornish pastries. It is also one you would wish for if you want a beefy flavor and you want to minimize the addition of flavors to your meals. However, if your recipe is Philly Cheesesteak, flank steak is the preferred option. It is also best when experimenting using marinades and complex rubs.
How To Cook The Cuts
As mentioned before, these cuts are best cooked with scorching hot temperatures, but what is the best way to do it?
The first step is to preheat the grill to temperatures of around 425 degrees farads to 450 degrees farads. If you are using a gas grill, set the ideal temperature setting after igniting the burners. Searing can happen at temperatures of about 350 degrees farads, but the hotter the grill the better since the more prominent your scorch will be.
After the grill has attained the right temperature, place your beef cuts on the grates and apply a bit of pressure to make sure that the whole cut is contacting the grates. For the steak skirt, precisely, you will need about 1.5 minutes per side, but this will depend on how thin the steak is. Flip after about two minutes and let the other side sear for the same time.
This is the same for the flank steak, but the cooking duration will be a bit longer. The flank steak cooks for approximately 2.5 to 4 minutes on every side to achieve a perfect medium sear. If you prefer medium doneness, place your steak on the top rack where there is low temperature and let it sear for some minutes.
Tip:
Let the steak rest for about 10 minutes or less after removing it from the grill before slicing. With this, moisture will be distributed throughout the entire cut. This also prevents the tasty juices from spilling on the cutting board.
In conclusion
if you are wondering between flank steak and skirt steak, which is better, you already have the answer for that upon reading this article. As far as which cut is the best, this cannot come out clearly since both steaks are fantastic for your delicious meals.
