It takes less than 10 minutes to sear this Balsamic Steak in a cast iron skillet or on a grill with this tasty step-by-step recipe. Serve this delicious steak with a homemade Plum and Avocado Salsa for a satisfying summer meal that’s sure to delight everyone!
In the summer, I’m always looking for meals that are unique and delicious, but don’t require me to turn on the oven or spend a long time in front of a hot stove. And I’m not talking about cold meals like sandwiches or salads. I want a hot meal — I just don’t want to have to feel hot while I prepare it.
That’s where searing comes in. It takes less than ten minutes to cook a delicious Balsamic Steak in a cast iron skillet or on the grill. Since I don’t usually want to shell out for high-end steaks like ribeyes or New York strips, I look for flavorful and affordable cuts like flank steak, and use a marinade to make sure they’re nice and tender. The balsamic marinade used in this recipe is quick to make, and you probably have all the ingredients for it in your pantry already. The steak does need to marinate for at least a couple of hours, but the hands-on time for this recipe is less than 30 minutes.
The tart balsamic flavor of the steak goes really well with the juicy plums and creamy avocado in the salsa. Speaking of plums, am I the only one who feels like plums aren’t getting the love they deserve? A perfectly ripe plum is a treat when eaten plain, so you’d think more people would also try using them in recipes, however, I hardly ever spot plum recipes online or in cookbooks. There were some delicious organic plums on sale at my local grocery store, and when I saw them I knew they would be just the thing to brighten up this recipe.
In fact, this Plum and Avocado Salsa is so tasty that I will eat a little bowl of it by itself for a snack. When I made this recipe for my fiancé, he had his first serving of steak with plum and avocado salsa and enjoyed it, but when he came back for more salsa I wouldn’t let him have any because I was taking pictures of it (priorities, right?). By the time I was done, he had resorted to barbecue sauce instead. That meant I had a nice little serving of the salsa left over to enjoy all on its own!
Of course, the best way to enjoy this plum and avocado salsa is on top of some juicy balsamic steak. Whether you want to impress guests this summer or just make a meal that feels special for you and your family, this recipe fits the bill.
- For the balsamic flank steak
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp yellow or dijon mustard
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1½ lb flank steak, cut into 3 or 4 pieces
- For the plum and avocado salsa
- 3 small ripe black plums, pitted and chopped
- 1 shallot or ½ small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 large ripe Haas avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, or to taste
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- To make the marinade, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the steak and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- When you are ready to cook the steak, remove the pieces from the marinade and pat them dry, discarding the marinade. Heat a large cast iron or other heavy skillet over high heat (use two skillets or cook in batches if your skillet won't hold all the steak at once). If your pan is well seasoned, you don't need any oil. If it seems dry, add a little avocado oil or olive oil right before adding the steak. If you prefer, you can also grill the steaks.
- Sear the steak for 3-4 minutes on the first side, then flip the steak over and cook for another 4-5 minutes for medium (or adjust the cooking time for your preferred doneness).
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest while you make the salsa.
- To make the salsa, gently mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
- Slice the steak against the grain and serve hot, topped with the plum and avocado salsa.
We hope you love this Balsamic Steak with Plum and Avocado Salsa recipe from SoFabFood Contributor, Becky Winkler of A Calculated Whisk, as much as we do. It’s the perfect go-to summer recipe when you’re short on time but don’t want to sacrifice flavor. If you love this simple and delicious 30-minute meal, find more like it by visiting our 30-Minute Meals section. For daily recipe inspiration, like us on Facebook, follow us on Pinterest, and stop by our Google+ Community to see all of the amazing recipes our community members are sharing. Enjoy!
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