What is a Flat Iron Steak?

[Shirl]

In this recipe they call for 1 pound flat iron steak cut into strips. what cut of meat is a flat iron? never heard of this before.
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/kicky- ... iron-steak

[Felix4067]

It comes from the shoulder. I've also seen it called top blade steak, if that helps any.

[Shirl]

and this is a tender piece of meat? i have heard of blade steak which is not tender unless cooked for a long time at low heat ...

[Felix4067]

I've never had it outside of a restaurant, but I always order my steaks rare and it's always been tender.

Found this online, maybe it'll help:
http://confessionsofabutcher.blogspot.c ... heart.html

[Shirl]

thank you that helped alot. i will look for this cut locally and see what i find.

[Ninner]

Felix, read the link. A few years ago I approached the butcher & referred to them as "cowboy steaks". This description was given to me by a member on site who was a cattle rancher. He said as the article you provided, that there was only two on a whole animal. He also said that many times when butchering that this cut is hard to find due to the fact it is kept in house.

[chattes]

2 secrets to a flat iron steak: Do not overcook and slice on the diagonal. One of my local chain stores carries them in a vacuum pack with directions. These aren't more than 1- 1 1/2 # and not too thick. Enough for 2-3 people. Since fixing them both on a grill and in the house on a cast iron skillet, I'm hesitate to buy any other cut of steak- especially since there's only the 2 of us. Tender and full of flavor.

[Tink]

I can get flat iron steaks here in the supermarket occasionally, but boy are they expensive. I think about a pound and a half was something like $13.00 shrink wrapped and served 3 people.