How to Roll Flank Steaks

Flank steak is often used in London broil recipes. However, it is delicious when stuff, rolled and cooked.

Flank steak is often thought of as tough, cheap meat. However, this inexpensive cut of beef can be used to create a variety of delicious sensations. One of the most popular ways to prepare flank steak is to fill the steak, roll it up and tie it with strong cooking string. The roll can then be cooked in the oven, in a slow cooker or on the grill. With a few simple tips from professional chefs, preparing rolled flank steak is easy and fun. Does this Spark an idea?

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Meat tenderizer or steak marinade
Flank steak
Filling (bread stuffing, spinach and cheese or mashed potatoes and cheese) Most recipes call for 2 cups of filling per 1 1/2 pounds of steak.
Heavy string
Large cutting knife
Long toothpicks or wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

- 1
  
  Tenderize the flank steak in advance or marinate overnight before rolling. Most recipes call for 1 1/2 pounds of steak.
- 2
  
  Place the flank steak flat in front of you. The grain of the meat should run from left to right. Most flank steak available for purchase in stores is already cut thin and flat. If the steak you have purchased is not already cut thin, you will have to cut the steak through the center and flatten it with a meat mallet. For rolled flank steak, the meat should be about 1/4-inch thick.
- 3
  
  Spread filling over the top of the steak. Leave a 1/4-inch edge around the sides of the steak to ensure that the stuffing does not fall out of the steak during cooking.
- 4
  
  Take the edges of the steak and begin rolling it away from you. Make sure that the filling does not fall out of the sides of the steak. Once rolled, the steak and filling will look like a log or a roll of paper towels. Tie the steak roll with heavy string in several places on the roll. Lightly season with salt and pepper -- according to your taste -- before cooking. Rolled flank steak is generally cooked in the oven, uncovered, for 1 hour at 350 degrees. The lower temperature will ensure a tender steak and will give the filling time to cook without over-cooking both the steak and the filling. Rolled steak can also be cooked in a slow cooker for eight hours at a low to medium setting. Regardless of the cooking method chosen, baste the steak periodically with cooking juices.
- 5
  
  When the flank steak roll is cooked and has cooled for 15 minutes, cut the roll into 3-inch pieces. Place a skewer or long toothpick through each piece of the roll to keep the steak and filling in place.