Don’t be overwhelmed at the thought of trying to create a perfect, juicy steak on the grill. With our pro tips for choosing the right steak and preparing it, to grilling steak and cooking it in the oven, you’ll be ready to make your next steak dinner in no time.
Food Safety 101
When picking up a steak at the store you want to make sure to keep any raw meat away from other food items. Be aware of any residual raw juices that can leak and contaminate other grocery items. And when it comes time for grilling, you never want to partially grill any meat or poultry and finish cooking later. All raw beef, pork, lamb, veal and roasts should be cooked completely to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F.
How to Choose the Best Steak
It may seem overwhelming when you head off to the store to pick a great steak to cook. There are so many options! So what exactly do you want to look for? Here are a few clues:
Check out the marbling of a steak as the white streaks of fat that are visible on a cut of meat is what gives it flavor. Look at the grade given to the piece of meat by the USDA. This rating is given to steaks to reflect the overall quality.The thickness of the meat will obviously be an indication of the cooking time required to cook the piece through for doneness. Plan on a thicker cut of meat requiring more time to cook on the grill.Choose the cut of steak you want to cook. Popular cuts that are available include chuck or rib eye steak, flat iron, tenderloin or filet mignon, flank, strip steak, skirt, porterhouse and T-bone steak.
How Long to Cook Steak in the Oven
If you find yourself looking to make a steak in the kitchen you can achieve delicious results for putting a dinner on the table any night of the week. A preheated oven, some seasoning and about a half hour of time can give you the results you are looking for when it comes to how long it takes to cook a steak in the oven. This method will also free up time to make side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes and maple-glazed carrots to serve with your perfectly cooked steak. Start with a hot oven and preheat to 325°F. Season the steaks on both sides with kosher salt and fresh-cracked black pepper. Place the steak on a wire rack placed inside a rimmed baking sheet to allow for even heat distribution all around the meat in the oven. Plan on a cook time of between 20 to 25 minutes. Roast until the internal temperature of a thermometer inserted into the steak reads:
125° for a rare steak135° for medium rare145° for medium150° for medium well160° for a well done steak
The steak should then be pulled from the oven and allowed to rest on a cutting board for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. Pro tip: You NEVER want to slice a steak when it’s super hot or you’ll lose all the juices prematurely.
How Long to Cook Steak on a Stovetop
A steak seared on the stovetop can create an outer char for a tender steak that slices easily with a knife when served. To achieve the best sear possible on the outside of the steak, you want to pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove any residual moisture before cooking. Season the steaks generously on both sides with salt and pepper. The best pans for searing meat are stainless steel or cast-iron since you want to begin the steak in a pan at a high heat and either one of these pieces of kitchen equipment can withstand high temperatures. Add oil to the pan and heat until it begins to shimmer and carefully add the steak to the pan. You want to turn on your exhaust fan since the steaks on the stovetop will give off a cloud of smoke when the steak hits the hot pan. Leave the meat alone and let the browning process happen to the steak surface in the hot pan.
Rare: cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each sideMedium rare: 3 to 4 minutes for a medium rareMedium: cook 4 to 5 minutes on second sideMedium well: 5 minutes on each sideFor well-done: 6 minutes on second side.
You can add a few pats of butter and sprigs of fresh thyme to the pan for the last minute of cooking time for the steak on the stovetop.
How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill
Always start with a hot grill. Preheat the grill over high heat and have the hot grill waiting for you to place the steaks on the grates. Dry the surface of your steaks with a paper towel and let the steaks come to room temperature. A cold steak removed from the refrigerator and placed directly on the grill will not allow for the internal temperature of the steak to reach the a safe temperature before the outside of the steak begins to overcook. Season steak generously with kosher salt and pepper. Adjust your gas grill or briquettes to create a hot zone and a cooler zone for adjusting the cooking temperatures while cooking. Grill steak over direct heat on the first side over direct heat and then move to indirect heat to finish the cooking time and desired doneness. A general guide for grilling times for steak? Place the steaks on the grill and cook until lightly charred for about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn over and continue to grill. Doneness Guide:
3 to 4 minutes for rare (an internal temperature of 125 to 130 degrees F)4 to 5 minutes for medium rare (130 to 135 F)5 to 6 minutes for medium (140 to 150 degrees F)7 to 8 minutes for medium-well (155 to 160 degrees F)8 to 10 minutes for well done (165-170 degrees F)
Pro tip: Have a meat thermometer on hand to help you monitor the internal temperature of the meat.
How Long Can Cooked Steak Be Kept in the Fridge?
If there are any leftovers after you cook your steaks to perfection, you can safely keep them in the refrigerator in a shallow airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to three to four days. Food that stays in the fridge any longer than a few days should be discarded.
How Long Can You Keep Cooked Steak in the Freezer?
If you aren’t planning on eating your leftovers in a steak salad or sandwiches in the next few days, it’s better to freeze them. Wrap the leftover steak with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, mark with the date and place in the freezer. Steak can safely remain in the freezer for three months without drying out. Next: How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?
