Who said Monday night dinners had to be boring??
Smoking shouldn't be reserved exclusively for 14-hour weekend brisket sessions. With the right cut of meat and a little prep ahead of time, you can bring genuine wood-fired flavor to your Monday night dinner table in just under two hours.
The Main Event: Smoked Marinated Flank Steak
Flank steak is lean, flavorful, and built to absorb bold, savory liquids. Scoring the surface breaks up tough exterior muscle fibers, allowing the marinade to penetrate deep into the meat rather than just sitting on top.
Ingredients:
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Flank Steak: 1.5 to 2 lbs flank steak
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The Marinade: 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger, 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
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Wood Choice: Hickory Bisquettes
Instructions:
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Score & Marinate: Slash the flank steak in a shallow criss-cross pattern on both sides. Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a shallow dish, submerge the steak, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).*If you prep the night before, all you have to do after a long day of work is fire up the smoker!
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Fire Up the Smoker: Preheat your Bradley Smoker to 200°F–220°F and load your Hickory bisquettes.
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Smoke: Place the steak on the center rack and smoke for 1 to 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
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Rest & Slice: Remove the steak and let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
The Side Dish: 10-Minute Garlic-Soy Stir-Fried Veggies
While the steak takes its 10-minute rest, whip up these crisp, colorful veggies on the stove or griddle to assemble a restaurant-quality beef and vegetable rice bowl.
Ingredients:
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2 cups broccoli florets
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1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
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1 cup sugar snap peas
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1 tbsp sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp minced garlic
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Garnish: Toast sesame seeds and sliced green onions
Instructions:
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Sauté Garlic: Heat sesame oil in a large wok or cast-iron skillet over high heat. Toss in the garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Toss Veggies: Add the broccoli, red bell pepper, and snap peas. Stir-fry rapidly for 3 to 4 minutes until the colors turn vibrant and vegetables are tender-crisp.
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Glaze & Finish: Drizzle soy sauce over the pan, toss continuously for 60 seconds to coat, and remove from heat.
Pitmaster Tip for Success
Always slice flank steak against the grain (perpendicular to the long muscle fibers). Slicing against the grain cuts those muscle strands short, ensuring maximum tenderness in every bite. Plate your sliced steak and stir-fried veggies over a steaming bed of jasmine or basmati rice, drizzle with any extra pan juices, and dinner is served.
