Juicy Balsamic Glazed Grilled Flank Steak with Flavorful Herb Steak Fries: Your Ultimate Easy Dinner Recipe
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a perfectly cooked steak paired with crispy, savory fries. This Balsamic Glazed Grilled Flank Steak with Herb Steak Fries offers that classic “steak frites” experience, but with an irresistible twist that elevates it far beyond the ordinary. Whether it’s a bustling weeknight or a relaxed weekend barbecue, this simple yet sophisticated dish delivers a mouthwatering explosion of sweet, tangy, and herbaceous flavors. The secret lies in a simple, vibrant marinade and a luscious balsamic glaze that transforms an already delicious flank steak into an unforgettable culinary delight.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sprouts! While I was compensated, as always, all opinions and the recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
My Culinary Love Affair with Balsamic Vinegar
My journey into the culinary world, which eventually led to the creation of Cake ‘n Knife years ago, started with a profound appreciation for certain “hero ingredients” in my pantry. Among them, balsamic vinegar holds a truly special place. Its rich, tart, and subtly sweet profile has the remarkable ability to enhance and balance so many different flavors, bringing out the best in a wide array of ingredients. From simple salads to complex marinades, balsamic adds an unparalleled depth that truly makes a dish sing.
It was during my time in Italy that my eyes were truly opened to the full potential and benefits of authentic balsamic vinegar. Before that, I only knew a fraction of its uses. This experience sparked a deep love for its versatility and complexity, forever changing the way I approach cooking and flavor development.
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Discovering Culinary Gold: Sprouts Organic Balsamic Glaze
So, when Sprouts, a grocery store I deeply admire, launched their Organic Balsamic Glaze, I was absolutely ecstatic. My long-standing appreciation for Sprouts stems from their unwavering commitment to quality and value. Their produce section consistently offers the freshest, ripest ingredients at prices that are hard to beat, and their meat counter never disappoints, providing premium cuts for all my cooking needs.
What truly sets Sprouts apart, beyond their high-quality staples, is their dedication to offering innovative products that simplify and enhance home cooking. Their Organic Balsamic Glaze is a perfect example of this philosophy. It’s more than just a concentrated balsamic; it’s a carefully crafted blend that captures the intense, flavorful essence of balsamic vinegar while mellowing its sharp tang with other complementary ingredients. The result is a beautifully balanced, sweet, and tangy glaze that serves as an incredible marinade or finishing sauce.
This glaze has become an indispensable item in my pantry. It’s incredibly versatile, capable of brightening up everything from roasted vegetables and grilled chicken to delicate fish and, of course, a robust grilled flank steak. Its convenient ready-to-use format saves time without sacrificing flavor, making it an ideal choice for home cooks looking to create gourmet-tasting meals with minimal effort.
Why Flank Steak is the Perfect Choice for Grilling
Steak and fries are a timeless duo, a comfort food classic that I often crave, especially when the weather calls for outdoor grilling. For this recipe, flank steak is an exceptional choice. Known for its rich, beefy flavor, flank steak is also relatively lean and, when prepared correctly, incredibly tender. It’s an economical cut that absorbs marinades beautifully, making it perfect for soaking up that luscious balsamic glaze. Its relatively thin profile means it cooks quickly on a hot grill, allowing for those beautiful char marks and a perfect medium-rare internal temperature in just minutes.
The key to tender flank steak lies in two things: a good marinade and slicing against the grain. The balsamic glaze, infused with fresh herbs and a hint of red pepper flakes, works wonders to break down the muscle fibers, adding incredible flavor and ensuring a juicy result. This makes it an ideal grilled steak dish for a casual weeknight dinner or a last-minute weekend barbecue. It’s hearty enough to satisfy, yet so simple to prepare, leaving you more time to enjoy your meal and company.
Crafting the Perfect Herb Steak Fries
No steak frites meal is complete without the fries, and these fresh herb steak fries are designed to be the perfect counterpart to the balsamic glazed steak. We start with large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean and cut into substantial wedges. This “steak fry” cut provides a fluffy interior and a crispy exterior, ideal for soaking up flavor. They are then generously coated with olive oil, minced fresh rosemary, fragrant oregano, and pungent garlic. This combination of herbs infuses the potatoes with an earthy, aromatic flavor that complements the richness of the steak beautifully.
Roasting these fries in a hot oven ensures they get beautifully golden and crisp without the need for deep-frying, making them a healthier and less messy option. The aroma of the herbs and garlic toasting in the oven as the steak grills is simply intoxicating, building anticipation for the delicious meal to come. For those who love their fries extra crispy, a few additional minutes in the oven can achieve that perfect crunch.
The combination of the sweet and tangy char of the grilled flank steak, coupled with the savory, aromatic crispness of the herb steak fries, creates a truly winning meal. It’s a flavor profile that I absolutely adore, and I’m confident you will too!
The Symphony of Flavors: Marinating and Grilling Tips
The magic of this dish truly unfolds in the marinade. We combine the flank steak with a quarter cup of Sprouts Organic Balsamic Glaze, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, and fresh rosemary sprigs. This mixture is sealed in a bag, allowing the steak to bathe in these vibrant flavors for at least 4 hours, or ideally, up to 24 hours. The longer marinade time ensures maximum tenderness and flavor penetration, making every bite incredibly juicy and rich.
Once the steak hits the grill, the process is simple yet effective. As you flip the steak, you continue brushing it with additional Sprouts Organic Balsamic Glaze. This continuous basting not only helps to build that beautiful, glossy caramelized crust but also ensures that the sweet and tangy balsamic flavor is consistently absorbed, creating a deeper, more complex taste. The char from the grill, combined with the sweet, spicy, and herbaceous notes from the marinade and glaze, culminates in a perfectly cooked steak that is tender, flavorful, and utterly delicious.
Serving Suggestions and Enhancements
This Balsamic Glazed Grilled Flank Steak with Herb Steak Fries is a complete meal on its own, but there are always ways to elevate the experience further. For a truly elegant pairing, consider whipping up a refreshing pomegranate negroni. The bright, slightly bitter notes of the cocktail perfectly complement the rich flavors of the steak and fries. If you’re looking for an extra layer of indulgence for those hearty fries, a side of homemade roasted garlic aioli offers a creamy, savory dip that’s absolutely divine. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would also be a fantastic addition, providing a fresh contrast to the main dish.
Don’t forget the importance of resting your steak after grilling! This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a more tender and flavorful slice. A final brush of balsamic glaze just before resting adds another layer of shine and flavor, sealing in all that goodness.
Beyond This Recipe: More Balsamic Delights
If you find yourself falling in love with the incredible depth and versatility of balsamic vinegar, as I have, you’re in for a treat! This ingredient can transform countless dishes. Here are a few more balsamic-inspired recipes to spark your culinary creativity:
- Beef Sliders with Fried Goat Cheese, Smashed Raspberry Compote, and Balsamic
- Roasted Grape & Balsamic Crostini
- Grilled Peach Prosciutto Flatbread with Blackberry Balsamic Drizzle
- Grilled Steak, Blue Cheese, & Balsamic Pizza
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This Recipe’s Must-Haves
- Traeger Grills Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
- GRILLHOGS Luxury Barbecue Grill Tongs
- OXO Good Grips Silicone Basting Brush
- 3 Piece Baking Set with Aluminum Sheet Pan, SILMAT Silicone Baking Mat & Stainless Steel Cooling Rack
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Balsamic Glazed Grilled Flank Steak with Herb Steak Fries
4 hours
5 minutes
40 minutes
4 hours
45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sprouts Organic Balsamic Glaze
- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 large sprigs rosemary
- 2-3 large russet potatoes scrubbed clean and cut into steak fry wedges
- 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary minced
- 1/2 tsp fresh oregano minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
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Add steak, 1/4 cup Sprouts Organic Balsamic Glaze, red pepper flakes and rosemary to a large ziplock bag. Seal the bag and use your hands to move the steak around to coat with the glaze.
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Place in the refrigerator and marinade for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
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When ready to cook, heat grill. At the same time, preheat oven to 450 degrees.
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Add potato wedges, rosemary for the potatoes, oregano, garlic and olive oil. Toss to coat the potatoes well.
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Dump out potatoes in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
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Bake potatoes for approximately 20 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking, until golden brown. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time if you like your fries a little more crispy.
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While the potatoes are baking, grill the flake steak. As you flip the steak, brush the steak with a light coating of Sprouts Organic Balsamic Glaze.
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For medium rare, it took approximately 5 to 8 minutes to cook my steak. Cooking times may vary based on thickness of the steak.
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Remove to a cutting board to rest, brushing with one more coat of Sprouts Organic Balsamic Glaze on both sides. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
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Serve steak with steak fries.
Grilling