Blueberry Chipotle Grilled Flank Steak with Smoky Sweet Glaze

Prep: 30 minCook: 30 minmediumAmerican
Blueberry Chipotle Grilled Flank Steak with Smoky Sweet Glaze

A bold fusion of sweet and smoky flavors transforms simple flank steak into an impressive main dish. Blueberry jam and chipotle peppers in adobo create a complex marinade that tenderizes the meat while infusing it with fruity sweetness and gentle heat. The 24-48 hour marination ensures deep flavor penetration, while grilling develops a beautiful caramelized crust. The reserved marinade becomes a glossy glaze that adds restaurant-quality presentation. Perfect for summer barbecues, date nights, or when you want to weeknight dinner with minimal effort.

Ingredients

  • 1 7 ounce can chipotles in adobo sauce
  • cups blueberry jam
    blackberry jam1:1fruit

    note: will have seeds

  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 pound flank steak
    skirt steak1:1beef

    similar texture

    Full guide →
  • ½ cup apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch
    cornstarch1:1thickenergluten-free

    better clarity in glaze

    Full guide →
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place chipotles in adobo into medium bowl along with blueberry jam, cider vinegar, and olive oil

  2. 2

    Blend with immersion blender until chipotles are fully incorporated, or use standard blender

  3. 3

    Stir in honey, molasses, and salt

  4. 4

    Add steak to zip lock bag or bowl and coat with marinade

  5. 5

    Marinate for 24 to 48 hours

  6. 6

    Remove steak, shaking off excess marinade

  7. 7

    Grill steak over medium hot grill about 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until steak reaches 120 to 130 degrees F in thickest part

  8. 8

    Place steak on cutting board and tent with foil while heating glaze

  9. 9

    Bring reserved marinade to simmer in saucepan

  10. 10

    Whisk together flour and milk in small bowl and add to simmering marinade

  11. 11

    Cook for at least 10 minutes until thickened

  12. 12

    Cut steak against grain and on angle and drizzle with glaze

Tips

Tip 1

Reserve 2 cups of marinade before adding steak to ensure food safety when making the glaze

Tip 2

Score the flank steak lightly against the grain before marinating for better penetration

Tip 3

Let steak rest 5-10 minutes after grilling for juicier results

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate cooked steak up to 3 days, glaze up to 1 week

Make Ahead

Marinate steak up to 48 hours, make glaze day before

Serve With

Slice against grain, serve immediately while hot

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip resting time to avoid dry steak

Watch

Don't reuse raw marinade without cooking to avoid food poisoning

Substitutions

Gluten-Free Swaps

flour
cornstarch1:1thickenergluten-free

better clarity in glaze

Full guide →

General Alternatives

blueberry jam
blackberry jam1:1fruit

note: will have seeds

flank steak
skirt steak1:1beef

similar texture

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make this without a grill?

Yes, use a cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat for similar results.

How long will leftovers keep?

Store sliced steak in refrigerator up to 3 days, reheat gently to avoid overcooking.

Can I freeze the marinated steak?

Yes, freeze in marinade up to 3 months, thaw completely before grilling.