When the weather warms up, my favorite place to be is right next to the grill. Honestly, those days spent cooking outdoors, listening to the sizzle, that’s where I find my pure cooking joy! If you’re looking for a way to elevate your usual backyard barbecue, forget the heavy sauces for a moment. We’re going breezy, bright, and utterly delicious with this grilled flank steak Caprese. It’s the perfect marriage of that smoky, perfectly cooked steak with the freshest flavors of summer: juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil. This recipe proves, yet again, that spectacular food doesn’t need hours of complicated steps. It just needs high-quality ingredients handled with a little care. Come on, let’s turn up the heat!
- Why You Will Love This Grilled Flank Steak Caprese Recipe
- Essential Ingredients for Your Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
- How to Prepare the Perfect Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
- Tips for Success with Grilled Flank Steak Recipes
- Serving Suggestions for Your Caprese Steak Dinner
- Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Grilled Flank Steak
- Frequently Asked Questions About Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
- Estimated Nutritional Information for Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
- Share Your Pure Cooking Joy Creations
Why You Will Love This Grilled Flank Steak Caprese Recipe
Honestly, this recipe checks every box for a fantastic weeknight meal or a casual gathering. It’s sunshine on a plate!
- It’s incredibly fast—you’re looking at under 45 minutes total time.
- The contrast between the savory marinated beef and the light, cool Caprese topping is just divine.
- It uses simple, fresh ingredients, making cleanup a breeze!
- Perfect for all your summer grilling ideas when you want something elegant but easy.
Essential Ingredients for Your Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
We need two main groups of ingredients here: what turns our flank steak into something amazing, and the stars of the Caprese portion. Don’t skimp on the fresh stuff; that’s where the magic of this Caprese steak dinner happens. I always grab the ingredients the day I plan to cook so the basil is super bright!
For the steak and marinade, you’ll need:
- 2 lbs of flank steak (I’m always looking for the best cut!)
- 1/4 cup of good olive oil
- 2 big tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for the marinade
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce—this helps give that deep savory flavor
- 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, salt, and pepper
For that beautiful topping, make sure you have:
- A pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, which you’ll want to halve
- 8 oz of fresh mozzarella balls—the little ones, bocconcini, halved or quartered works great
- About 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves, just roughly chopped
- And finally, those two tablespoons of thick balsamic glaze for drizzling right at the end.
If you’re looking for some marinade deep dives, check out my favorite marinade breakdown here! It really helps get the most out of this cut.
How to Prepare the Perfect Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
This is where we turn simple ingredients into a showstopper! Grilling flank steak requires a little attention, but trust me, the payoff is huge. We are going to tackle the marinade first, then hit the heat perfectly, and finish with that beautiful fresh topping. If you follow these steps, you’ll have the juiciest, most flavorful steak.
Marinating the Steak for Maximum Flavor
The marinade is crucial for making sure this beef stays moist, especially on the grill. I whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper until they’re happy together. Then, tuck your flank steak into a bag or dish and let it soak up those flavors for at least two hours. You can go up to six hours, but don’t leave it overnight—flank steak can get a little mushy with too much acid. Once it’s time to cook, pull that steak out and always, always pat it dry with paper towels. A dry surface means you get a fantastic sear instead of just steaming the meat!
Grilling Technique for Tender Grilled Flank Steak
We want medium-high heat here—aim for around 400°F on your grill. Lightly oil those grates so your hard work doesn’t stick! Toss that patted-dry flank steak right on the hot grate. For medium-rare, which is how I like it best, you’re looking at about 4 to 6 minutes per side. Keep an eye on that thermometer; we are aiming for 130°F internal temperature. If you’re stuck inside, no problem! You can sear this beautifully in a very hot cast-iron skillet. Either way, once it hits temp, get it off the heat immediately.
Assembling Your Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
Here’s where patience pays off. Once the steak is off the grill, you MUST let it rest. Tent it loosely with foil and leave it alone for a full ten minutes. This lets those juices redistribute, guaranteeing you the tenderness we talked about. While it rests, toss your halved tomatoes, mozzarella pieces, and basil together. After resting, slice the steak thinly *against the grain*—this is the secret to tenderness every time, as I detail in my tips on how to grill flank steak tender. Arrange those slices beautifully on a platter, pile that fresh Caprese mix on top, and finish with a generous drizzle of that thick balsamic glaze. Serve it right away!
Tips for Success with Grilled Flank Steak Recipes
Cooking flank steak is simple, but these little tricks elevate it from good to memorable. Seriously, they make all the difference when you’re aiming for that perfect texture.
First, invest in quality balsamic vinegar if you can. The little bit we use in the marinade and the glaze really shines through when paired with fresh cheese and tomatoes. If you want to supercharge your marinade game, check out this guide on my easy flank steak marinade secrets.
My biggest tip? Don’t overfight the cook. Because flank steak is thin, it cooks fast, and it can dry out in a flash! Medium-rare is your friend here. Also, let the Caprese topping chill slightly right before you serve it. That cool, bright topping cuts through the smoky richness of the grilled steak beautifully.
Serving Suggestions for Your Caprese Steak Dinner
Since this grilled flank steak caprese is already so bright and flavorful, you don’t want heavy sides fighting for attention. I keep things light and fresh here, which is perfect for quick summer meals.
A great pairing is a simple farro or orzo salad tossed with just a little lemon juice and olive oil. It provides a nice chewiness without being too filling. Or, you could do some roasted asparagus—get a nice char on those spears! If you want something green, a simple arugula salad tossed with whatever leftover dressing you might have is always great. Speaking of dressings, if you want to make your own super light vinaigrette to go with any greens, I have some fantastic dressing recipes over on my dressing page!
Keep it simple, keep it fresh, and let that steak shine!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Grilled Flank Steak
Okay, let’s talk leftovers because this is an understandably big meal! My first recommendation? Eat it all fresh! But if you have some steak left, you need to separate your components. Keep the sliced steak in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep those fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil far away from the beef, maybe in their own sealed container.
When it comes to reheating the steak for your next Caprese steak dinner, I honestly suggest skipping the heat! Flank steak gets tough when reheated aggressively. It’s actually fantastic cold or at room temperature on a salad the next day. If you absolutely must reheat, do it quickly in a pan over low heat, just long enough to take the chill off.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
I get so many questions about this dish because everyone wants to make sure their grilled flank steak caprese turns out perfect. Here are a few things folks ask me most often when they are planning their quick steak dinner recipes!
Can I use a different cut of beef besides flank steak for this Caprese recipe?
Totally! Flank steak is my go-to because it’s lean and handles a marinade so well, but you absolutely can substitute. Skirt steak is a very close cousin—it cooks almost identically, which is great. If you swap in sirloin, which is a bit thicker, just keep an extra close eye on the internal temperature. You might need an extra minute or two per side to get it to where you like it, but the fresh mozzarella and tomato topper will still be amazing on top!
What is the best way to make balsamic glaze if I don’t want to buy it?
Oh, I love making my own glaze; it really takes the flavor up a notch! It’s so easy, too. All you need to do is take about half a cup of good quality balsamic vinegar, pour it into a tiny saucepan, and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. You just let it bubble softly until it coats the back of a spoon—it should reduce by about half. Watch it closely toward the end because it goes from liquid to thick syrup really fast! That homemade drizzle makes for the best balsamic glaze steak topping.
Is this considered a healthy steak dinner option?
I think so! When we talk about a healthy steak dinner, this one scores high marks. Flank steak is a leaner cut of beef, and we are loading it up with tons of fresh veggies—tomatoes and basil! The fat content we are adding comes mostly from good olive oil, and we’re balancing that richness with the lightness of the fresh mozzarella. It’s protein-packed and full of fresh produce, so you can feel great about serving this week after week.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Grilled Flank Steak Caprese
I always like to give you a ballpark idea of what you’re eating when you make one of my recipes, though keep in mind these numbers can change depending on just how much glaze you decide to drizzle on!
Based on a four-serving yield, here’s the approximate breakdown. These estimates are for one serving:
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 48g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
This is a solid, protein-forward meal! Just remember, every brand and every slightly larger chunk of fresh mozzarella you use means these numbers shift a little. These are just here to help you plan your fantastic, flavorful dinner!
Share Your Pure Cooking Joy Creations
I truly hope you run to the grill this week and make this beautiful grilled flank steak caprese! When you do, please come back and leave a rating or drop a comment below—hearing from you keeps me inspired every day. If you snap a picture, tag me on Facebook!
Seeing your creations truly brings me the purest joy. You can check out more of my adventures in approachable cooking on the blog, or say hello over at my Facebook page. Happy grilling!
PrintGrilled Flank Steak Caprese with Balsamic Glaze
Make this flavorful grilled flank steak topped with fresh Caprese ingredients for a quick, satisfying summer dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 2 lb flank steak
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved or quartered
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (store-bought or reduced balsamic vinegar)
Instructions
- Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, oregano, pepper, and salt in a bowl. Place the flank steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 6 hours.
- Remove the steak from the marinade and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Lightly oil the grates.
- Grill the flank steak for 4 to 6 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 130°F for medium-rare.
- Remove the steak from the grill and place it on a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period is important for keeping the steak tender.
- While the steak rests, gently toss the halved tomatoes, mozzarella pieces, and chopped basil in a small bowl.
- Slice the rested flank steak thinly against the grain.
- Arrange the sliced steak on a serving platter. Top evenly with the fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil mixture.
- Drizzle the entire platter with balsamic glaze before serving immediately.
Notes
- For an even better flavor, use a good quality balsamic vinegar for the marinade and the final glaze.
- If you do not have a grill, you can sear the steak in a hot cast-iron skillet on the stovetop.
- Slice the steak thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness when serving this grilled flank steak recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 48
- Cholesterol: 110



