Flank Steak Nachos

These Flank Steak Nachos are loaded with crunchy tortilla chips, tender grilled steak, melty cheese and all your favorite toppings for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner or game day snack. They're packed with flavor, easy to customize and come together with simple ingredients for a restaurant-style nacho recipe everyone will want seconds of.

These Flank Steak Nachos are a Flight family favorite and one of my go-to recipes when we're hosting friends or need an easy dinner everyone gets excited about. Being from Texas, nachos are basically their own food group around here, and adding juicy grilled flank steak takes them to a whole other level.

I especially love making these in the summer because you can throw the steak on the grill, melt everything on a big sheet pan in the oven and serve them family style right at the table. They're easy to customize with toppings like pico de gallo, guacamole, jalapeños and sour cream, so everyone can make their plate exactly how they like it. Plus, flank steak is one of my favorite cuts of beef because it's packed with flavor, absorbs marinades really well and is usually more budget-friendly than pricier steak cuts. Hope you enjoy!

Jump to:

• Why use flank steak?
• Check out other Grilling Recipes you will love.
• Equipment
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• Flank Steak Nacho Toppings
• Remember to Slice Against the Grain!
• Recipe

Why use flank steak?

Flank steak is one of my favorite pieces of meat to work with because it is insanely flavorful as pretty darn affordable compared to other cuts. It's generous marbling gives you a similar flavor to skirt steak, but it's a thicker and a lot more tender.

You could use skirt steak for this recipe. Just be sure to really tenderize it and marinate a little longer. Flat iron steak would also work. It doesn't need to be tenderized as much and can marinate for about the same amount of time.

Check out other Grilling Recipes you will love.

Equipment

• Meat Mallet: I like this one from the Checkered Chef. It's less than $10 and you can order it one Amazon.
• Large Plastic Freezer Bag: This is to marinate the meat in. You can use any container that allows the meat to be fully covered by the marinade.
• Grill: We love our Char-Broil Grill. It's around $300, uses propane and is great for everyday use!
• Sheet Pan
• Cutting Board
• Sharp Knife
• Aluminum Foil
• Cheese Grater (optional): While I highly recommend grating your cheese yourself, you can definitely use pre-grated cheese. In which case, you wouldn't need the cheese grater.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Flank Steak: Flank steak is one of my favorite cuts for nachos because it's super flavorful and absorbs marinades really well. If you can't find flank steak, skirt steak or flat iron steak both work great here. Skirt steak can be a little tougher, so I recommend marinating it a bit longer and slicing it thinly against the grain.
• Southwestern or Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite taco, fajita or Southwestern-style seasoning blend. You can even use a homemade taco seasoning if you have one you love.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice gives the marinade the best flavor and helps tenderize the steak. Bottled lime juice will work in a pinch, but fresh is definitely worth it here.
• Olive Oil: Helps carry all the flavors in the marinade and keeps the steak juicy while cooking. Avocado oil works well too.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a little acidity and balance to the marinade. You can substitute white wine vinegar or plain white vinegar if needed.
• Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor, but garlic paste or jarred minced garlic can also work for convenience.
• Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory and smoky flavors. Maple syrup or brown sugar can also be substituted if needed.
• Tortilla Chips: Use a thick, sturdy tortilla chip that can hold up to all the toppings without getting soggy. Restaurant-style chips tend to work best.
• Cheese: I love using a mix of freshly shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese for the best flavor and melt. Pepper Jack is also delicious if you want a little extra heat. Pre-shredded cheese works fine too if you're short on time.

Flank Steak Nacho Toppings

The sky is the limit when it comes to toppings for these delicious flank steak nachos!

My favorite toppings to use are:

• Fresh Cilantro
• Sour Cream
• Sliced Jalapenos
• Pico de Gallo
• Guacamole

You can totally use store bought pico de gallo and guacamole but if you'd like to make your own at home it's so much easier than you might think!

Check out my recipes for Fresh Pico de Gallo and My Favorite Guacamole!

Remember to Slice Against the Grain!

One of the most important parts of cooking flank steak is making sure you slice it correctly. Flank steak has long muscle fibers running through it, and if you slice with the grain those fibers stay long, making the steak chewy and tough.

Instead, look for the lines running through the meat and slice thinly across them, also called slicing against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and gives you those tender, flavorful bites of steak that are perfect for nachos. Let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing and use a sharp knife for the cleanest cuts.

Made this flank steak nacho recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Recipe