Skirt steak vs. flank steak
In the past decade, skirt steak and flank steak have gained prominence for their succulent texture, delicious taste, and price. But what is the difference between them? Which cut is better?
Here is a quick overview of the difference between skirt steak and flank steak.
Skirt v Flank Steak
Although these two cuts may seem similar in many ways, they are two different cuts of beef. It’s important to understand the differences between them in order to choose the best cut for your recipe.
skirt steak
Skirt Steak is an extremely tasty and juicy cut of beef that comes from the slab section – one of the juiciest sections of a cow. This elongated, slim and flat piece is packed with flavor!
Skirt steak has a stronger beef flavor and higher fat content than flank steak, creating a “spicier” cut of beef to the front.
Skirt steak is thin, long, evenly thick and an overall light cut of beef. Because of its thinner size, skirt steak cooks faster than flank steak in most cooking applications.
flank steak
Flank steak, which comes from the cow’s abdominal muscles, is one of our favorite cuts of beef for many reasons. Its subtle flavor pairs well with any marinade or sauce, is quick to prepare and less “chewy” than skirt steak.
Flank steak is leaner than skirt steak, resulting in a more tender texture and a better heart-healthy choice.
Its mild flavor makes it our go-to choice when preparing most of our Mexican recipes. For Tacos al Carbon, which doesn’t use a marinade or dry rub recipe, we use skirt steak. But that’s a personal preference.
Flank steak is a thicker, wider, and heavier cut of meat than skirt steak. It is uneven in length (tapers from side to side) and can even vary in thickness. Unlike the skirt steak, the flank steak often needs to be beaten to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
Skirt steak vs. flank steak
When deciding which of the two cuts to use, consider the type of dish you are preparing. Skirt steaks have more flavor while flank steaks are leaner. Depending on your recipe, each can make a delicious appetizer when prepared right!
If you want a heavily flavored cut of meat that is quick to prepare, then skirt steak is the ideal option. If you’re looking for something more versatile, with a milder flavor and better nutritional values, then flank steak is an ideal choice.
recipes
There are tons of recipes you can make with one of these amazing cuts. Here are some of our favorite beef recipes to use one of these delicious cuts.
roast meat
Street Tacos
Steak Tacos
Mulitas
Steak Fajitas
Beef bulgogi
Fried rice with beef
cooking preparation
Flank and skirt steak can be prepared many different ways including grilling, smoking, broiling, roasting or even sous vide cooking; They are extremely versatile parts of the cow that require one cooking method over the other.
When cooking both cuts, it is important to refer to the steak cooking chart below.
Expert tip – When cooking, we avoid rare or even medium rare because of the buying factor. We find that medium to medium good is ideal. But play around with the temperature and find your preference.
temperature chart
What is the temperature difference between the two? none. What works for one works for the other.
cost comparison
Gone are the days when flank and skirt steaks were considered “cheap” cuts of meat. As demand went through the roof, so did prices.
Here’s what to expect when grocery shopping for a flank-versus-skirt steak. Of course, prices will fluctuate depending on where you live and what store you shop at.
Flank steak will cost you around $10 pounds. $10 used to be on the high end, but these days we’ve seen it go as high as $12 pounds. Ah, inflation.
Skirt steak typically costs $1 to $2 per pound more than flank steak, which is in contrast to historical price comparisons.
Flank steak vs skirt steak
Both skirt and flank steak are excellent choices for any meal, but when it comes to deciding which is better, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your taste preferences and budget.
Now you know the difference between two of our favorite cuts of beef! Leave a comment below if you have any questions before you make a decision or cook!
More reference guides to read
Prime Rib vs. Rib Eye