Smoked Flank Steak

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This smoked flank steak recipe makes a perfect flank steak every single time A simple marinade infuses the steak with citrus and spices and then is smoked to tender, juicy perfection.

Sliced smoked flank steak on a cutting board.

This flank steak recipe is so tender and juicy, and smoking the beef gives enhances the flavor of the marinated steak. Lately, it's been a go-to dinner meal for me and my husband when we're craving steak.

We use it to create some of our favorite meal combinations such as smoked flank steak fajitas, topping on a salad, or simply served up on its own.

Flank Steak Smoker Recipe

This easy smoked steak recipe was inspired by my air fryer ribeye steak. I'm always looking for new ways to make steak, and after hitting a home run with the air fryer, I knew I had to try the smoker next. This juicy flank steak pairs well with my air fryer baby potatoes, too.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store.

Flank steak
White tequila
Fresh lime juice
Fresh orange juice
Soy sauce
Garlic cloves
Onion
Oregano
Cumin
Fresh ground black pepper
Chili powder
Sea salt
Garlic paste

See the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

How to Smoke a Steak

Follow along and see how easy it is to get started smoking a flank steak for your meal. It only takes a few simple steps to make this tasty steak.

Step 1: Marinate the Steak

Start by using a knife to score the flank steak by making cuts into the top of the steak without cutting all the way through. Place it in a resealable bag with fresh oregano.

Roughly chop the onion and garlic and add them to the bag with the steak.

Next, mix together the marinade ingredients, tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and soy sauce, in a bowl. Reserve one-half cup and pour the remaining flank steak marinade into the bag.

Marinate the steak for 2 hours.

Step 2: Prep for the Smoker

Remove the steak, garlic, and onion from the bag and separate. Place the garlic and onions along with the reserved marinade in a saucepan and place it in the smoker. Preheat the smoker to 500 degrees.

Step 3: Finish Preparing Steak for Smoker

Combine the garlic paste and olive oil in a small bowl and brush the steak with it. Sprinkle the steak with cumin, pepper, ancho chili powder, and salt.

Step 5: Cook the Steak

Place the steak directly on the grill grates and cook it for 5 minutes per side. Then, brush it with the marinade in the saucepan. Smoke the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Remove the smoked meat from the smoker and let it rest on a wooden cutting board for about 10 minutes. Then, drizzle it with marinade and thinly slice. Enjoy!

Hint: Be sure your grates are thoroughly clean and coated with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Overhead closeup shot of sliced smoked flank steak.

Substitutions

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this smoker flank steak recipe.

Orange and Lime Juice: Fresh squeezed provides the best flavor to the marinated flank steak but you can use bottled orange and lime juice in place of freshly squeezed.
Salt: If you don't have coarse sea salt, you can use table salt.
Flank steak: This method and marinade will work on other types of steaks and cuts of beef. Consider trying it with london broil, boneless ribeye steaks and more. These cuts of meat may be thicker and require additional time in the smoker.

Variations

Want to personalize this flank steak in the smoker recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

Mild - If you don't like heat, you can omit the chili powder.
Extra Spicy - If you really love heat, try adding chopped jalapenos to the marinade.
Bourbon - Try using bourbon in place of tequila for a different flavor.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this porterhouse steak recipe.

Equipment

You don't need much equipment to make this recipe.

Measuring spoons and cups
Bowls
Resealable bag
Saucepan
Smoker

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to three months.

You can use the leftovers cold on sandwiches or salads. If you prefer to heat it up, wrap in foil and add any juices from the container, and heat in the oven at 350 degrees, just until heated through.

Tips

Although this is a straightforward recipe, I have some tips here that will help you make it the best it can possibly be.

Add the smoked flank steak marinade to the steak and let it sit for at least 2 hours to let all the flavors penetrate it the steak.
Don't move your steak after you place the raw side on the grate.
Always let your meat rest at leat 10 minutes before cutting to let the juices reabsorb.

Overhead shot of sliced smoked flank steak.

More Easy Smoker Recipes

Do you like using the smoker to prepare scrumptious meals? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

FAQ

Do you have questions about this how to make flank steak in the smoker? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.

What is flank steak?

Flank steak is a cut of steak that comes from the cow's lower chest or abdominal muscle. It's an inexpensive, flavorful cut.

How do you tenderize flank steak?

The trick to making a tender steak is to marinate it well before cooking. Also, the way you slice flank steak will make a difference in the texture. For the most tender slices, cut against the grain in thin slices.

Is flank steak good on a smoker?

Yes, flank steak tastes the best cooked in a smoker or on a grill. The flavors the smoker and charcoal of a grill add to the meat make it taste even better.

How do I know when my flank steak is cooked and ready to serve?

The best way to determine the doneness of your steak is to use a thermometer. The smoked flank steak temperature should be 125 degrees for a medium-rare steak.