What Factors Affect How Steak Cooks
All cuts of beef will cook about the same, so the cut of steak doesn’t matter as much as the thickness of it. There are some things to note when cooking leaner steak versus a fattier cut and I will go over some of those here as well.
When using the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill to cook various cuts of steak, you will want to adjust your Grill setting based on the amount of fat in the cut you are using.
Leaner steaks will do fine cooked on Max Grill, the hottest setting on the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill. They can also be cooked on lower settings, but keep in mind you want the hottest surface possible for a great sear. I recommend preheating on Max grill when grilling steaks EVEN if you are going to cook them at a lower temperature.
Fattier cuts, like Ribeye, do better on lower settings. This is mainly to avoid the smoking that comes from the fat being cooked on high settings. I still suggest preheating on Max Grill and then lowering the temperature to High grill to grill the ribeye. I’ve grilled ribeyes on Max grill and they cook fine, but I did have a lot of smoking.
The biggest factor that determines your cooking time of steaks is thickness. All grilled steaks cook from the outside in, so the thicker the steak, the longer it’s going to take to cook.
The Best Indoor Grills
There are a lot of options to choose from when shopping for the best indoor grill. Look for a dependable electric grill, one that has user-friendly controls, and a strong, consistent heat source. From there, think about the extra features youd like to try, and always carefully consider your space. Some are small enough to fit anywhere, others may need a lot of counter space.
The Ninja Foodi indoor grill rises to the top of the list thanks to its five-in-one versatility. Its a fantastic grill, but thats just the start. Its also a great air fryer, perfect for cooking fries and veggies. The Ninja Foodi grill can also bake, roast, and dehydrate, but grilling and air frying are its two best features. The grill heats up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for searing steak and does a good job at eliminating smoke. That said, the Ninja Foodi grill isnt cheap. Its a versatile kitchen tool thats worth the money, but only if you plan on using all its features.
Runner up: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Techwood Smokeless Indoor Grill
The indoor grill by Techwood is an elegant and easy-to-use grill that provides exceptional grilling without any smoke or mess. It has a lot of good features that make it a great option to consider, especially, for families.
First off is the controls system. There is a digital temperature control system on the grill which can be used to manually select the temperature from 220F to 450F. This control on the temperature allows you to get the perfect steaks and grilled food according to your liking. The glass lid allows you to keep an eye on your food without removing the lid. You will know when to flip the steaks so it doesnt get overcooked.
Since there is no charcoal or propane involved in the cooking process, the food prepared is healthier as well. The excess fats and oils drip down and out of the food, thanks to the non-stick coating of the grill. There are no grease marks or food particles stuck on the cooking chamber that you need to scrub off after cooking. The grilling plates are dishwasher safe and very easy to clean manually as well.
The grill is smokeless and does not create an excessive amount of smoke. A small amount of smoke might be generated while grilling different kinds of meats. To tackle that, the grill is equipped with advanced airflow technology and a hidden fan. This captures any smoke or odor caused by the grill and keeps your kitchen smoke-free so that you can grill without any worry.
- Takes up a lot of space on the counter.
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Are Sear Marks Just For Looks
No, they aren’t. Will a steak be delicious if you don’t get sear marks. Certainly. Do sear marks increase the flavor of a steak. Yes, they do.
Sear marks are gorgeous on a steak. Especially when you get them perfect. Something I am not very good at, but managed to pull off on this steak.
More important than looks, is the science behind the grill marks. Where you see those dark lines, the maillard reaction has occurred.
The maillard reaction is a series of chemical reactions that occurs in cooking when the proteins and sugars on and in food begin to change as a result of heat being applied.
The maillard reaction is responsible for flavor in so many foods, not just the sear on a steak. It’s the maillard reaction happening in browning onions that impart that flavor we all know and love in a really good French Onion Soup.
It’s the maillard reaction that happens as sweetened condensed milk is cooked and turns brown and we call it Dulce de leche.
It’s the maillard reaction that happens on top of a golden brown biscuit or a muffin top that is the best part of either one.
This is why many chefs do a full sear on their steaks instead of using a grill. They increase the surface area that benefits from the maillard reaction.
The look doesn’t matter as far as flavor goes, but I have found that the Sear ‘N Sizzle grill grate does produce a juicier and more flavorful steak. Why?
Other Indoor Grills We Tested
If youre dead set on an open grill, our first choice is the Hamilton Beach Searing Grill with Lid Window, which is big enough to cook six hamburgers at a time. Burgers, chicken, and fish came out with deep grill marks closely resembling the ones you get from your outdoor grill. The lid doesnt press down on food, but rather it helps to hold in heat to speed up cooking a little and also contain smoke and cooking odors. The grill grate and the drip pan are dishwasher safe and the lid comes off for hand washing.
Pros
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Contains odors and smoke well
Cons
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What Makes A Great Indoor Grill For Steaks
Generally speaking, you want a solidly-built indoor grill that wont ruin a steak by smashing it down and drying it out. You also dont want an indoor grill with cheap grill plates. What really makes a great indoor grill for cooking steak is cooking power, quality of the indoor grills grill plates and temperature consistency.
Let me explain some of this. Cooking power refers to how many watts your indoor grill can crank out. This wattage translates into how hot your grill will get leading to a nice sear. When grilling steaks on your indoor grill, you will want to put your steaks on a red-hot indoor grill that can achieve a temperature of 500 degrees or higher to seal in the juices of the steak.
What we dont want is to grill your steak at a low temperature that will lead to essentially steaming or boiling the steak and you wont get those nice grill marks and seared flavor.
Next is the quality of the indoor grills grill plates. You definitely want grill plates that are heavy duty vs. flimsy for cooking a steak.
Lastly, we need temperature consistency. Most indoor grills will hold a consistent temperature over the entire surface area of the grill plate but some others Ive used are a little spotty where one side of the steak would seem cooked less than the other side.
So now that we know what to look for in the best indoor grill for steaks, lets get on with my top indoor grill picks for grilling steak indoor.
Why Use An Indoor Grill To Cook Steak
The problem with a flame grill is that its usually done on the barbecue outside. This limits us to cooking up steak only on sunny days, or at least days when its not raining. That suggests that we have a small section of the year to have steak. Many of our outdoor grills are covered with 6 feet of snow for large parts of the year.
In comes human ingenuity. Weve found ways to cook steak in the warm comforts of our house all year round. Some will choose to fry their steak, but many, if not most, would prefer it off the grill. An indoor grill, then, is the clear choice.
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Hamilton Beach Searing Grill With Window
If youre dead set on an open grill, our first choice is the Hamilton Beach Searing Grill with Lid Window which is big enough to cook six hamburgers at a time. Burgers, chicken, and fish came out with deep grill marks closely resembling the ones you get from your outdoor grill. The lid doesnt press down on food but rather, it helps to hold in heat to speed up cooking a little and also contain smoke and cooking odours. The grill grate and the drip pan go in the dishwasher and the lid comes off for hand washing.
Sage By Heston Blumenthal The Smart Grill Pro
The best electric grill: cook steaks, burgers and other meats to perfection with this snazzy electric grill
Specifications
Reasons to avoid
For tender, juicy steaks, even when you prefer yours well done, this electric grill designed by chef Heston Blumenthal wont let you down. It features five settings for cooking rare to well done and all levels in between. Use the probe to test whether your meat is at the right temperature for resting so the residual heat doesnt overcook your steak, and thanks to its fast searing capabilities, the grill locks in all the juice for a piece of meat full of flavour. The best electric grill you can buy, bar none.
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The Secret To Grilling The Perfect Steak
Sliced London Broil on a wooden cutting board alongside white handled cutlery
Tara Donne, Food Network
Let’s talk steak. Just the thought of a thick, juicy slab of perfectly cooked beef will make the mouths of enthusiastic carnivores water.
New York Times dining reporter Julia Moskin fills in her readers on her tried-and-true method for cooking steak on the stovetop: Forget the talk about dry rubs and marinating, she advises. Buy your meat from a butcher. Choose thinner, boneless cuts marbled, about 1 inch thick. Keep the meat refrigerated until about a half-hour before you’re ready to cook, then pat it dry with paper towels. Use a cast-iron skillet and turn the heat up “insanely” high. Salt the pan and heat it some more. Lay down your meat, wait about a minute, then flip it every 30 seconds until 4 or 5 minutes later you have a perfectly cooked steak. It’ll be crusty on the outside, pink on the inside.
“If it’s good quality steak and you don’t cook it for more than five minutes per inch, you really can’t mess it up,” Richard Schatz of New York City’s Schatzie the Butcher reassures Julia’s readers. “Steak is nothing to be scared of.”
Good to know. But given that the weather is finally warming up and grilling season is moving in, you might want to save Julia’s stovetop steak tips for a rainy day and fire up the grill.
How Do I Know When To Flip My Steak
All meat will tell you when it is ready to be flipped. When you want to get the cross hatched grill marks, you will sear ¼ of the total cook time, turn the steak 45° and cook another ¼ of the total time. Then flip and either cook without turning for ½ the total time or you can turn 45° after ¼ of the time.
Here is an example.
My filet is 1½” thick and I want it cooked medium rare or to an internal temperature of 130/49. My total cook time will be 12 minutes on Max High grill.
Cook for 3 minutes, make a 45° turn and cook for 3 more minutes. Flip and repeat.
HOWEVER, and this is SUPER IMPORTANT… if the meat doesn’t release easily, it’s NOT READY to be moved!
That’s what I mean when I say all meat will tell you when it’s ready to be flipped. If you go to turn it or flip it and meet resistance, let it cook another minute or two. You can shave that time off at the end of cooking.
If you force it to release before it’s ready, you will rip the sear right off the steak. You don’t want that!
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First Prepare The Steak
You should rinse the steak beneath the tap with cold water to remove the natural moisture that accumulates in the packaging. In packaging, the protein in the steak releases purge, a liquid byproduct. Its completely harmless, but when oxidized it produces an undesirable smell that can be off-putting.
Dry the steak off with a paper towel. This will allow for a nice sear on the meat when you cook it. Protein exposed to temperatures around 300° Fahrenheit takes on the same properties of sugar that caramelizes. This occurs as the amino acids interact with carbohydrates. The result is a nice, golden-brown color, which adds to both the appearance and flavor of the meat.
How To Cook A Steak Indoor Grill Recipe
After preparing the ingredients properly, you need to arrange the whole cooking process. Now it is time to know how to cook a steak indoor grill. Keep every item ready. Make sure if anything is left behind or not. If this happens, the grill may lose its pungent taste. Now follow the instructions carefully and steadily.
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The Oven Cooked Method
It is possible to produce a delicious steak using only your oven. You may not get the same crisp crust as the above methods, but your steak will be evenly cooked.
For the oven method, season your steak well, and add a generous amount of butter to ensure it stays moist. Preheat your oven to450°F.
Add your steak to a sheet pan with a rack. Youll want to bake your steak in the oven for around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the type and size. Dont forget to let it sit after cooking. When you cook a steak in the oven, it needs to rest for approximately 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Indoor Grill
Outdoor grills give food a distinct taste that up until recently was difficult to replicate in the kitchen. But modern indoor electric grills are giving outdoor grills real competition thanks to improvements in cooking surfaces and temperature control. For those looking to ditch the gas grill, or who simply want a way to grill hot cheeseburgers on a cold winters night, the best indoor grill is the perfect appliance you didnt realize you needed.
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What Is The Best Indoor Grill For Steaks
In our opinion, Ninja FG551 Indoor Grill is the best indoor grill for steaks. The reason is the 4 Smart Cook options and the doneness options. When you see these features, you instantly know that this grill has been manufactured to be the perfect indoor grill for steaks. You can use 4 presets to grill 4 different types of meat and choose from 6 options of doneness. In short, for the perfect steak every time, Ninja FG551 should be your choice.
Grilling Ideas To Beef Up Your Dinner Party Plans At Home With The Beefer
Cooking at home just got easier with the Beefer. Whether youre cooking for yourself or cooking for the family, the Beefer can help inspire grilling ideas from your favorite restaurants. Our indoor and outdoor infrared grills make it fun and easy to create the perfect steaks and sear delicious fish from the comfort of your home. Curb your hunger, feed your cravings and craft good home cooked meals for your next dinner party with the best indoor grill the Beefer.
Grilling Ideas for a Dinner Party
Upscale restaurants give you delicious and over-priced meals. So why are you spending your hard-earned money when you can be grilling the same meals at home with the Beefer? Think about your favorite fancy seafood restaurants that serve grilled lobster tail, grilled scallops and grilled salmon. What about your favorite steakhouse that fires up mouth-watering filet mignon, Wagyu beef and Kobe steak? All of those high-end meals can be made with the Beefer!
Making Dinner Plans with Beefer
You will no longer have to worry about making dinner reservations at a restaurant that everyone will love or wonder how youre going to feed your pickiest eaters. The Beefer is ready to open up your horizons, giving you grilling ideas that will blow your dinner guests minds. Also, since the Beefer grills meals in minutes, youll be able to spend time with your guests and be part of your party. Stop getting stuck behind the grill, and join the party!
Restaurant-Quality Meals at Home
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Comparing The Differences Between Weber Grills And The Beefer
You might have thought youve found your next grill with Weber Grills, but before you buy, you have to look at the steak enthusiasts perfect idea of a grill from the Beefer. When it comes to indoor grills and outdoor grills, the Beefer has the unparalleled performance to help you create the perfect steak and seafood, every time. Weber offers a great product, but if youre really looking to produce restaurant-quality meals at home, you need a grill that reaches 1500°.
Bringing the Heat with the Beefer
Do you remember last summer when you stood outside, and you felt like your steak wasnt the only thing that was searing? This summer, you can bring the heat inside with the Beefer! You can cook steaks and seafood in minutes with our 1500° infrared grills indoors and outdoors. Even Webers electric grill is no match for the heat the Beefer brings. Our portable grills are perfect for anyone who wants to broil steak in minutes without having to deal with the summer heat.
Dont Limit Yourself to Steak
When you cook with our grill, theres no shortage of meal options. Our grill does more than just amazing steaks you can also use the lower shelf to heat up a delicious sauce to pour over your meat or grill vegetables to enhance your meal even more. Because of the high heat the Beefer delivers, you can prepare chef-quality meals in under ten minutes. Not to mention that the Beefer doubles as the perfect steak broiler and pizza oven!
Specialized in Portable Top-Heat Grills
