What are you planning for your sweetie on Valentine's Day? This Asian-inspired Grilled Flank Steak and Seared Scallops are sure to WOW and make any evening special! This recipe makes celebrating simple and delicious!
This 30-minute Surf & Turf Valentine's dinner is easy and elegant. Just two ways to describe this gorgeous and romantic dinner!
What's in this Asian marinade?
- ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons rice wine
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Thai chili peppers, sliced
- 3 scallions, chopped or sliced
How to make perfectly grilled flank steak:
- Choose a nice cut of steak and trim the fat.
- The special Asian marinade is made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and spicy sambal oelek.
- Marinate the steak in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Pat the steak with a paper towel before grilling.
3. You can use a grill pan or take it outside on the BBQ grill. The flank steak grills to the perfect temperature — so tender!
4. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes on a cutting board before slicing.
5. Slice the flank steak thinly on a cutting board. If you're like me you'll want the steak pink on the inside!
Look at that juicy flank steak! I like my steak medium, pink in the middle. But cook it longer if that's your preference!
How to Perfectly Sear the Sea Scallops:
- Buy fresh or fresh-frozen sea scallops and remove the muscle on the side.
- Marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature. Remove the scallops and pat dry.
- Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet over high heat. Sear the scallops until just done, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
How romantic is this dinner? Set a beautiful table and don't forget a delicious bottle of wine!
TIPS & TRICKS:
- Letting the flank steak and scallops marinate in this flavorful Asian marinade is key to the flavor in this dish. Don't rush it!
- Patting dry the flank steak and scallops before grilling will ensure nice grill marks and a perfect sear!
- Make sure the grill pan and cast iron pan are very hot before cooking! Use a meat thermometer to make sure the flank steak is perfectly cooked to your liking.
- Save some of the marinade for heating and drizzling over the dish!
- Serve this with your favorite side salad or vegetable of choice.
WANT MORE?
If you liked this recipe, you're going to want these recipes too!
- Chinese Five Spice Pork Tenderloin
- Pan-Seared Asian Scallops with Zucchini Noodles
- Grilled Flank Steak Lettuce Cups with Nuoc Cham
- Seared Chili Scallops with Baby Bok Choy
Grilled Flank Steak and Seared Scallops
This 30-minute Surf & Turf Valentine's dinner is easy and elegant. Grilled Flank Steak and Seared Scallops are sure to WOW and make any evening special!
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
For the marinade:
- ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons rice wine
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Thai chili peppers, seeded and sliced
- 3 scallions, chopped or sliced
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds flank steak, cleaned of fat
- 16 large sea scallops
- Cooking spray
Instructions
Make the marinade:
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a small glass bowl.
- Whisk together until well combined. Set aside ¼ cup of the marinade. Set both aside.
Prepare the steak and scallops:
- Place the flank steak in a large glass baking dish, or plastic sealable baggie. Pour the marinade over the flank steak and let marinate for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Remove the small muscle from the sea scallops. Place the scallops in a glass bowl and pour the marinade over to marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Remove the steak and scallops from refrigerator and let it get to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
- Pat the steak and scallops with a paper towel to remove most of the moisture.
For the flank steak: Using an outdoor grill, or grill pan, coat with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Grill the steak for about 6 minutes each side, or until cooking to medium. Test with a meat thermometer,
- Remove steak to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Slice the meat across the grain.
For the scallops: Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet over high heat. Sear the scallops until just done, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
- Place the reserved marinade in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil and lower to a simmer, keeping marinade warm.
- Serve the flank steak and scallops on a plate with a side of greens, or your vegetable of choice!
Notes
- Letting the flank steak and scallops marinate in this flavorful Asian marinade is key to the flavor in this dish. Don't rush it!
- Patting dry the flank steak and scallops before grilling will ensure nice grill marks and a perfect sear!
- Make sure the grill pan and cast iron pan are very hot before cooking! Use a meat thermometer to make sure the flank steak is perfectly cooked to your liking.
- Save some of the marinade for heating and drizzling over the dish!
- Serve this with your favorite side salad or vegetable of choice.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Asian-Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4.8 g
- Sodium: 1161.6 mg
- Fat: 12.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.1 g
- Protein: 55.3 g
- Cholesterol: 136.9 mg
Emily says
This surf and turf with flank stead and scallops is better than anything I've ordered like this at a restaurant- so delicious!
Asian Caucasian says
Thank you, Emily! It's a winner at home. My hubby loves this and it's very romantic by candlelight!
Jacque Hastert says
Surf and turf are my favorite date night dinners! We can't get enough date nights at the house. I have saved this for the next date night!
Asian Caucasian says
It's a very romantic dinner! Make sure to have a great bottle of wine and candles lit on the table! 🙂
Jenni LeBaron says
This surf and turn looks so delicious! We had planned to eat chicken tonight but now I want this instead, The Asian marinade looks so flavorful and I'm positive this dish will be devoured. Definitely need to put this on the menu immediately!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, Jenni! I know you won't be disappointed that you made this dish instead. It's so full of flavor, and the surf & turf combo is so delicious!
Amy Liu Dong says
This is such a mouthwatering dish to prepare for my husband for our date night, so delicious!
Asian Caucasian says
I also love this for entertaining! It's a great weekend dish!
Stine Mari says
That Asian marinade looks so flavorful and delicious, I love sweet and spicy! Perfectly grilled flank steak too, I need to try this really soon.
Asian Caucasian says
Hope you love this as much as I do, Stine! Happy Valentine's Day to you!
Jacqui DeBono says
Flank is one of my favourite cuts of meat. We have the kids at home with us for Valentine's Day, so we will save this for another time!
Asian Caucasian says
Any night deserves a romantic dinner! Happy Valentine's Day, Jacqui!
Marta says
I think more recipes should include flank steak! It's such an underrated cut of meat.
Asian Caucasian says
And, boy oh boy, does flank steak cook up quickly! 👍
Ramona says
Oh my! This looks soo amazing! Truly romantic indeed! I love the combination and you know what? My husband would definitely fall in love with me again if I make him this. Absolutely delish!!!
Asian Caucasian says
It's a good one for rekindling the romance on Valentine's Day or any other day for that matter! 🙂
Gabriella Pizzo says
Molto interessante la tua proposta di carne e pesce!! Mi piace!!
Asian Caucasian says
Will have to translate, but my rough Italian skills tell me that "ti piace!" 🙂 Grazie!
Marybeth Saunders says
Oh, this meal is so romantic! 💋 I just love a good surf & turf combo and this does not disappoint!
Asian Caucasian says
My hubby loved this romantic surf & turf! The scallops put this over the top!