Grilled Flank Steak With Cilantro Lime Butter

By Becky Hardin

Updated Oct 24, 2025

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This Grilled Flank Steak is a quick and easy recipe I like to make for dinner all summer long. The steak turns out so tender and flavorful, and then once I top it with the delicious cilantro lime butter, it takes the taste to another level. I slice it up for fajitas, or serve it with my favorite sides.

Grilled flank steak with cilantro lime butter, fresh cilantro, and a lime wedge in a black grill pan. - 5

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5-Star Review

“This cilantro lime butter is EVERYTHING! My kids are begging me to make this again!” -Lauren

Easy Grilled Flank Steak With Cilantro Butter Recipe

Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, this grilled flank steak comes together in minutes — perfect for busy nights when I still want something special. I love how quick and easy it is to make, and that cilantro lime butter on top? It takes the flavor over the edge! It’s simple enough for an everyday dinner but impressive enough to serve at a summer get-together or dinner party.

While I love the taste of the cilantro lime butter, it’s easy to swap it out based on what herbs I have on hand. Sometimes I’ll use rosemary, sage, and even thyme. If I’m not in the mood for herb butter, I’ll serve the steak with chimichurri , a fresh salsa verde , or s simple garlic aioli .

Tips for Beginners

Use a marinade. Marinate the steak beforehand so it’s even more tender.
Grill to your preferred temperature . This cut of meat is a bit tough, so well done will mean a chewy, tough texture. I recommend cooking to medium-rare (140°F). Use this internal meat temperature chart to keep in your kitchen.
Cut against the grain. Cut thin slices at a slight diagonal angle against the grain. This means cutting through the fibers, not parallel (or between) to them, so you get more of the tender, juicy parts in each bite, and less of the fibrous parts.
Room temperature meat. For the best results, let your steak sit out for 30-60 minutes before grilling it.

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Cilantro Lime Butter

▢ ½ cup salted butter room temperature (1 stick)
▢ 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
▢ 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (from ½ lime)
▢ 2 tsp lime zest (from 1 lime)
▢ 1 tsp finely chopped green onion
▢ 1 tbsp garlic paste I used Gourmet Garden brand

For the Grilled Flank Steak

▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
▢ 1 tsp mustard powder
▢ 1 tbsp garlic paste
▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
▢ 2 lbs. flank steak at room temperature

Video

Instructions

To Make Cilantro Lime Butter

Take the softened butter and place it in a medium bowl. ½ cup salted butter
Stir in the cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, green onion, and garlic paste. Mash with a fork or spoon to fully combine. 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tsp lime zest, 1 tsp finely chopped green onion, 1 tbsp garlic paste
Place the butter over plastic wrap and form into a log. Wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

For the Grilled Flank Steak

Brush a grill or grill pan with canola oil and heat to high heat. (You want the grill HOT).
In a small bowl, combine salt and pepper, garlic paste, olive oil and mustard powder. Stir to combine and form a paste. Rub both sides of steak with the paste. 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic paste, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp mustard powder
Place flank steak on grill and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes per side for rare, or 6-8 minutes per side for well done. We do something in between. Please see my Meat Temperature Chart for help deciding. 2 lbs. flank steak
Remove from heat.
Cut into slices, against the grain.
Before separating, slice butter and allow to melt over the steak.

Equipment

Grill or Indoor Grill Pan

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Grill Flank Steak Step by Step

Cilantro lime butter wrapped in plastic wrap. - 6

Make the cilantro lime butter: Combine ½ cup of softened salted butter, 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tsp lime zest, 1 tsp finely chopped green onion, and 1 tbsp garlic paste. Place the butter mixture onto plastic wrap and shape it into a log. Wrap well and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until it’s firm to the touch.

Season the steak: Brush a grill or grill pan with canola oil and turn the heat to high so the grill is hot. In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp of kosher salt, ½ tsp of ground black pepper, 1 tbsp of garlic paste, 1 tbsp of olive oil, and 1 tsp of mustard powder. Combine well so that it forms a paste, and then rub both sides of the steak with it.

Grill the steak: Place 2 lbs. of flank steak on the hot grill and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes per side for rare, or 6-8 minutes per side if you prefer well done.

Sliced flank steak on a grill pan, topped with cilantro lime butter. - 9

Cut and serve: Remove the steak from the heat. Cut into slices, against the grain. Before separating, slice the chilled butter and allow it to melt over the steak.

How to Store

The steak butter can easily be made ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and used for other things if you have leftovers.

Store leftover grilled flank steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the grill until warmed through, about 5 minutes, or bake in a 300°F oven until warmed through, about 8-10 minutes.

Freeze grilled flank steak in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Grill pan with flank steak, lime slices, and cilantro. - 10

Serving Suggestions

I like serving this flank steak with a side of grilled vegetables . My favorite is grilled asparagus when it’s in season. Though I do love Tex-Mex food, so sometimes I’ll slice up the steak for steak fajitas , or if we’re in a snacking type of mood, I’ll make steak nachos .

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Grilled Flank Steak with Cilantro Lime Butter

Equipment

Grill or Indoor Grill Pan