Flat iron steak is a cut of beef from the shoulder of the animal. The Australians and  people of New Zealand call it 'oyster blade steak'  and the people of United Kingdom call it 'butler's steak'. It is a tender cut of meat with intense marbling and a rich flavor.  Cross cut steaks from the infraspinatus muscle which is encompassed by the flat iron steak are also called patio steaks or top blade steaks. The whole cut of meat for these steaks weighs 2 to 3 pounds, and yields about 4 steaks. The marbling in the steaks is due to the intramuscular fat content. Grilling is the most common method for cooking this cut of meat, which may be marinated prior to cooking. The flat iron steak is mostly sold trimmed, but if not, one needs to remove the connective tissue before cooking it.

Preferred Cooking Methods

Flat iron steak may be cooked as such or marinated in herbs and spices before cooking. The meat tends to beautifully absorb the flavors of the marinade to give great tasting grilled or barbeque dishes. It tastes best when cooked not more than medium. Here are the popular techniques used for cooking it-

• Grilling: This involves cooking the steaks in dry heat, and the meat may be marinated in herbs and spices before cooking in this way.
• Barbeque: This is a method of cooking that involves grilling the meat in heat and smoke from a charcoal or wood fire. It is a popular method for cooking rib steaks in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
• Braising: This involves cooking in both dry and moist heat. The meat is often cooked in chili or tomato sauces with a variety of other ingredients like vegetables and flavoring herbs.
• Broiling: This method is similar to grilling, except that the heat for cooking is applied from above, and the meat is held in a broiler pan as it cooks.
• Roasting: This involves roasting or cooking the meat in dry heat, which causes caramelization of the meat surface.
• Pan Searing: This is done by cooking steaks in relatively high heat so that the surface caramelizes and ‘browns’. It is a method used in combination with grilling or roasting to cook the meat.
• Stir Frying: This is a Chinese cooking technique which involves cooking food in heated oil in a wok, on relatively high heat with tossing actions.

Popular Flat Iron Steak Recipes

• Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Sauce: The steaks are sprinkled with salt and pepper and then grilled. A sauce is prepared by simmering together ingredients like tomato paste, wine and flavorings. The sauce is drizzled over grilled steak just before serving.
• Spicy Flat Iron Steak: Paprika and red chili powder are used along with other spices like cumin, pepper as well as garlic to give a spicy flavor to the steak. The spices are typically rubbed onto the meat, allowed a couple of hours to sink in, and then the meat is grilled. 
• Flat Iron Steak and Vegetable Stir Fry: This is made by stir frying flat iron steaks and vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, squash and zucchini. Garlic is used for flavor.

Trivia

• Wagyu beef flat iron steaks are particularly popular, this variety having higher levels of marbling and hence a much desirable flavor.

• The NAMP (North American Meat Processor) buying guide terms flat iron steak as Item No. 1114D Beef Shoulder, Top Blade Steak. It  has listed it as the second most tender beef cut, only second to tenderloin.