Best Ways to Cook a Steak
Looking for the perfect way to cook a steak at home? There are many great ways to cook a steak, though the best method will depend on your preferences and the tools you have available. At DC STEAKHOUSE, we cook a variety of mouthwatering steaks every day, so we put together this guide to help you understand what it takes to cook a delicious steak.
How to Prepare Steak
Preparation is one of the most important parts of cooking the perfect steak. Follow these steps to prepare a steak for cooking:
To get the best quality steak, buy your meat from a butcher and choose the cut with the best marbling.
Refrigerate the steak and be sure to cook it within five days of purchase.
Remove the steak from the fridge thirty minutes to an hour before cooking, to let it reach room temperature (a chilled steak takes much longer to cook!)
Pat the steak with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Season the steak well with kosher salt or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper about thirty minutes to an hour before cooking.
Three Different Ways to Cook Steak
1: Grill
Grilling is a simple way to make a juicy, flavorful steak. You can even add a smoky flavor if you use a charcoal grill. Keep in mind that how long you cook steak on a grill depends on the size of the steak and your desired doneness. Typically, you need to grill steak from 6 to 8 minutes for rare, 7 to 10 for medium-rare, and 10 to 12 for medium.
How to grill a steak:
Turn the grill to high heat.
Oil each side of the steak before seasoning.
Place the steak on the grill and sear for 4 to 6 minutes, or until brown.
Flip the steak and cook until it reaches the desired internal temperature (120°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well).
Remove the steak, cover it in aluminum foil to retain the heat, and let the steak rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes
Enjoy!
2: Sear and Oven
Another fast and easy way to cook a delicious steak is to sear it on the stovetop first, then cook it in the oven. Searing a steak requires a cast-iron skillet or a large pan, and knowing that the perfect time to flip is when it is brown, not black. For the oven, you will need a sheet pan that has a rack.
How to sear a steak and finish cooking it in the oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Set your skillet over high heat and add a high-heat oil.
Add the steak cut to the skillet and sear for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the steak is brown underneath (thinner steaks take less time than thick steaks).
Flip the steak to the other side and, if desired, add butter. Sear this side for 2 or more minutes, again checking to see when the steak turns brown.
Transfer the skillet to the oven to cook for 2 to 5 minutes or until it reaches the right internal temperature (120°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well).
Remove the steak, cover it in aluminum foil, and let it rest on a cutting board for 4 to 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
3: Reverse Sear
Cooking steak in the oven first and then searing is known as the reverse sear method. This method is also the best way to reheat leftover steak while retaining its texture and flavor.
How to reverse sear a steak:
Preheat the oven to 200°F.
Place the steak on a rack in a sheet pan, and put the pan in the oven.
Cook the steak in the oven for 20 to 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature is a little under the desired doneness temperature (105°F for rare, 1115°F for medium-rare, 125°F for medium, and 135°F for medium-well).
Remove the steak from the oven and coat it in oil.
Sear it on high heat for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until the steak reaches the desired temperature (120°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well).
Remove the steak, cover it in aluminum foil, and let it rest on a cutting board for 4 to 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
Steak Dinner in Chandler
The best way to cook steak depends on your flavor and texture preferences, so you may need to experiment until you find the perfect method for your taste. However, if you want to enjoy a fresh, delicious steak dinner without all the work, make a reservation at DC STEAKHOUSE. We can cook a variety of high-quality steak cuts to any level of doneness, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy. Call us at 480-899-4400 today to book a reservation.
Images used under creative commons license - commercial use (12/5/24). Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash.