Smoky Sweet Marinated Flat Iron Steak with Brown Sugar and Paprika
Juicy flat iron steak soaked in a sweet and smoky marinade with brown sugar and smoked paprika, grilled for a perfect caramelized crust. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 192 minutes, pairs flat iron steak, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds flat iron steak
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
- Step 2: Place 1.25 pounds flat iron steak in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for deep flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 425°F). Remove the steak from the marinade, shaking off excess, and discard the marinade.
- Step 4: Grill the steak for 5 minutes per side, turning once, until a caramelized crust forms and the internal temperature reads 135°F for medium-rare.
- Step 5: Let the steak rest for 7 minutes on a cutting board before slicing thinly across the grain to maximize tenderness.









