Can You Use Sirloin for Flank Steak? [Is It A Good Substitute?]

The sirloin steak is often the most popular choice of steak to use for grilling and BBQ. It is an affordable cut of steak that is both beefy and lean at the same time. But is sirloin steak a good substitute for flank steak? 

You can use sirloin as a substitute for flank steak. A few steaks do well when cooked fast on a hot grill, and the sirloin is one of those steaks. Just make sure that it isn’t from the bottom bit of the sirloin since this cut is used for ground beef and in stews or braised recipes.

can you use sirloin for flank steak

Sirloin steak is cut from the beef loin primal cut, and butchers separate this initial cut into the top sirloin butt and the bottom sirloin butt. The top sirloin butt is our primary focus since this cut is butchered down to give us T-bone steaks, sirloin steaks, sirloin tip steaks, and porterhouse steaks. 

You can’t use the bottom sirloin butt as a genuine alternative for flank steak.

Flank Steak Vs. Sirloin Steak

To better understand the differences, let’s take a closer look at both cuts of meat. 

What Is Flank Steak?

Flank steak, also known as bavette or London broil, is a flat cut of steak which is cut from the underbelly. It’s a cut that comes from right behind the cow’s chest. 

The flank steak is a thin, flat cut of steak that grills fast. It will be ready to enjoy in under 15 minutes if cooked correctly. You do not want to overcook a flank steak, though it is a forgiving steak. 

For the best tasting steak, it’s best to cook it rare or medium. It is best served juicy and tender, making its full, beefy flavors come forth.

What Is Sirloin?

The sirloin is a cut from the short loin of the cow. The butcher also cuts the short loin down into several other steaks, such as sirloin, club, T-bone, and porterhouse. These steaks are all located at the top sirloin.

As mentioned before, our primary focus is the top sirloin since we want to know if sirloin is a good substitute for flank steak. 

The top sirloin cut is the part that the sirloin steak is cut from, and you can use it as a substitute for flank steak. The sirloin steak is also a lean cut of steak, just like the flank steak. Sirloin also has a significant beefy flavor. 

So in many ways, sirloin is very similar to the flank steak. Just as the flank steak is forgiving, this steak will also be forgiving in many ways. It will still be pretty tender when overcooked, given the fact that it is not one of the most tender steaks to begin with. 

The sirloin also does well with a marinade bath before going on the grill.

Sirloin can replace flank steak in almost any meal or BBQ in all of these aspects. Only the most attentive meat lovers will notice the difference after it’s cooked.

Which Sirloin Cut Isn’t A Good Substitute For Flank Steak?

The bottom sirloin cut isn’t a good substitute at all. This cut is primarily suitable for ground beef, braising, and stews. It still has the excellent beefy flavor of sirloin, but this cut appreciates the love you will give it with long and slow hours of cooking. 

So if you do happen to see sirloin from that is the bottom butt of the cut, then you know that it is not a good substitute for flank steak. 

The Best Way To Cook The Sirloin

Top sirloin steak is best cooked fast on a flaming hot grill. Once you have prepared your grill to the correct temperature for the sirloin, you can get a good sear on the steak from that hot grill. Do not flip the steak too often; give it the time it deserves to make friends with the grill and flames. 

You are, after all, the master of your grill, and you know how vital that barbeque smoke is to you.

It will take 8 to 10 minutes for a one-inch thick sirloin steak to be cooked medium-rare. However, you do not want the sirloin past medium, so it is best to grill it for no more than 12 to 14 minutes. 

You don’t want the steak to become chewy, and it must still have the fantastic beefy flavor. In all of these aspects, cooking sirloin is pretty much identical to cooking a flank steak.

Of course, all of these are excellent suggestions. But if you like your steak to be well done, then that is up to you; you are the master of your grill. Bon Apetit.

How To Choose The Best Sirloin To Replace Flank Steak

We all want the best possible quality from our selection of meat. After all, we deserve a chance to experience what we are paying for. So what are the tell-tale signs of the best quality sirloin?

  • First of all, look for meat that is vibrantly pink or red. A good sirloin should have a lot of pinkish and red coloring.
  • Meat that looks brown has been sitting out for a while. These cuts aren’t the freshest ones in the coolers. Better look elsewhere.
  • You want your sirloin steak to be uniform in its thickness. Proper cuts should all be around the same thickness.
  • Your sirloin steak should be moist but not wet.
  • The meat must be cold and firm to the touch.
  • Importantly, you should avoid torn packages or ones that have liquid at the bottom of the tray. These are indications that the meat may spoil soon.

Other Substitute Steaks That Can Be Considered

There are a few other steaks that you can also consider using as alternatives for flank steak. These steaks all have the same cooking time, beefy flavor, and tenderness when cooked; and all of these steaks are considered cheaper cuts of steak:

  • Skirt steak
  • Top round steak
  • Hanger steak
  • Tri-tip steak
  • Flat iron steak
  • Flap steak
  • And, finally, the top sirloin steak.

Final Word

We now know that sirloin is a suitable substitute for flank steak. The sirloin steak will make your tastebuds sing with joy to the chef of the grill. 

In terms of beef steaks, it is one of the most cost-effective; it also has a robust beefy flavor and is incredibly lean. Using a sirloin as an alternative for flank steak will not leave you disappointed.

Related Articles

Sources

https://www.mashed.com/485359/the-best-substitutes-for-flank-steak/

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