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Cooking The Perfect Steak On The Grill

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Safely Defrost The Meat

How to Grill the Perfect Steak – Easy Tips for a Juicy Tender Steak

Before starting the grill or adding your marinade, if your meat is frozen then you need to first properly defrost your steak. And please, whatever you do, don’t just leave it out on the counter all day hello food safety risk! Instead, defrost your raw steak in the fridge a day or two before cooking or in a cold water bath, swapping out the water every 30 minutes. Once defrosted, it can last in the fridge for up to five days.

Use A Meat Thermometer

Make sure you have a meat thermometer ready if you don’t have one, they are worth investing in if you are committed to perfecting your grilled steak game. A meat thermometer guarantees that the inside of your steak is the right temperature before pulling it off the grill. But everyone has different preferences on the color of their meat, so this will vary. To help you get there, check out our handy dandy guide to steak cooking temperatures.

Best Steak Marinade For Grilling

In this particular grilled steak recipe, were using our favorite grilled steak marinade. Its made with some of our favorite ingredients. Heres what you need:

  • garlic: minced garlic is such an amazing flavor for pretty much any marinade.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce is tangy with a punch of vinegar and its so necessary.
  • balsamic vinegar: balsamic adds a hint of sweetness with too much sweet.
  • lemon juice: a little citrus goes a long way and really brightens up this steak marinade.
  • olive oil: olive oil will help keep things nice and juicy.
  • lemon pepper: I love that you get the traditional pepper flavor, but also a lemon zest punch with lemon pepper.

Also Check: What Is A Good Steak To Make Kabobs

Fourth Position And Testing For Doneness

As you prepare to turn the steak for the last time, it’s time to start checking for doneness. The steak should show no red around the side and the top side should have a rich brown color. As you pick the steak up to rotate it 45 degrees , feel the density of the steak. A medium-rare steak should be firm but still have a good amount of give. Close the lid of the barbecue and continue grilling.

After this last position, turn down the heat on your grill and, if needed, test the temperature of the steak. The internal temperatures for different levels of doneness are:

  • Rare: 120 to 130 F
  • Medium Rare: 130 to 135 F
  • Medium: 140 to 150 F
  • Medium Well: 155 to 165 F
  • Well: 170 F or higher

If your steak needs more cook time, leave it where it is and continue grilling on medium heat until done.

Use A Thermometer And/or A Timer

Our Easy, Foolproof Method for Grilling the Best Steak You ...

Whether you are cooking a thick steak or a flat, thin cut of meat will determine whether you need a meat thermometer or not. For steaks that are at least 1 1/2 inches thick, you will want to use a meat thermometer to get an accurate reading. For rare, remove steaks at 120 F to 125 F, medium rare 125 F to 130 F, and medium 130 F to 135 F.

It’s nearly impossible to get an accurate temperature read on steaks thinner than 1 1/2 inches so it is best to use a timer instead. For 1-inch thick steaks cook them 3 minutes each side over high heat for quite rare, 4 minutes each side for medium rare, and 5 minutes for medium.

Try to avoid this if you can, but if you just have to take a peek, remove the steak from the grill and use the tip of a paring knife to make a cut into the center of the steak to see how things are going. Keep in mind that the steak will continue to cook as it rests after being removed from the grill. Cutting into the steak is discouraged because it will release the precious juices that help flavor and tenderize the meat.

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Tips For Cooking Usda Prime Beef

Whether you’re grilling your steak or pan-searing it, here are a few tips to ensure a great entrée every time.

Season less. Coarse salt, freshly cracked black pepper and maybe a pat of butter for finishingthats it. Let the steak speak for itself. Flank steak is an exception, and it takes beautifully to marinating. Just be sure to pat the steak dry with paper towels before cooking to aid browning.

Let it sit. After seasoning your steak, let it stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly.

Keep it hot. For the best browning, use a very hot skillet or grill. Avoid continuously turning the steak so a crust can form. This will also allow the steak to be flipped without sticking, as the crust will create a barrier between the meat and the cooking surface.

Time it right. Allow 3 to 4 minutes per side for a 1-inch-thick steak. Make adjustments for steaks that are thicker or thinner.

Feel it out. Steaks are often too thin for an instant-read thermometer to suffice, so youll have to rely on your sense of touch. As the steak cooks, it releases moisture, and the meat firms up. Press the steak with your forefinger to get a reading. Rare steak feels slightly soft, medium is somewhat resilient and well done is firm to the touch.

Take a break. Always allow steak to rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices can redistribute themselves throughout the meat.

The Finishing Touch

Amp Up The Flavor With Butter Sauce

When I first began work on this recipe, I tried dry rubs, oil, and simple salt and pepper. All of these are wonderful things to put on steaks, but I felt like it needed more.

I settled on basting the steak with an herbed butter sauce. First, because butter. Second, because I have an extensive herb garden and it didnt require a trip to the store. I was worried that the butter might burn on the grill, and leave an acrid flavor, but it didnt.

It was pure deliciousness. The herbs added complexity without masking the meatiness of the steak.

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What Temperature Do You Grill Tomahawk Steaks

One of the most common mistakes when it comes to grilling tomahawk steaks is not allowing your grill to reach the correct temperature. If you are eager to eat your steak, it can be very tempting to rush the process, but it is very important that you wait, otherwise your steak will take longer to cook.

To grill your Tomahawk steak, you should allow the grill to warm up to an internal temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit before you even consider putting your steak in the grill. Double check that it has reached this temperature, then add your steak. But remember to keep it as far away from the open flame as you can.

As we have said, it will usually take around 45 minutes for your tomahawk steak to cook at this temperature. But, ensure that you flip the steak and check the temperature every 10 minutes so that it does not burn.

How To Cook Steak On The Grill

How to Grill the Perfect Steak | Weber Genesis II Gas Grill | BBQGuys Recipe

We won’t get into the fiery debate between charcoal versus gas grills here we’ve covered that in depth. But for certain, great grilling can be had with either charcoal or gas.

We’ve also covered how to pick the best steak for grilling. The good news is, the perfect steak doesn’t need to be the most expensive. If breaking the bank isn’t part of your barbeque plan, consider less spendy sirloin, hanger, flank steak, and skirt steaks.

Choose cuts that are at least 1-inch thick. If the steak is too thin, the interior gets cooked well-done before the exterior can develop the crave-worthy crust. If you can, choose steaks of even thickness so they’ll be done at the same time. Also, meat near the bone will take a little longer to cook.

The ideal steak marinade combines acid, fat, and seasonings. The acid creates a tangy flavor foundation and tenderizes the meat the fat adds flavor, seals in juices, helps keep the meat from sticking to the grill, and promotes caramelization and the seasonings complete the flavor profile. Here’s a breakdown of The Best Steak Marinade in Existence.

  • If your steak was marinating, wipe off the wet marinade with a paper towel, then set it down on the hot grill and leave it alone for several minutes without turning.
  • After a few minutes, the meat will release its grip on the grill, and you can turn it without tearing the meat If you start to turn it, and it’s still gripping the grill, just give it another minute.
  • Some Favorite Grilled Steak Recipes:

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    Top 3 Grilling Steak Tips

  • Sear + Cook: Love grill marks and perfect steak all in one? Follow our sear + cook method by first searing your steak at high heat and then cooking it at a lower temperature. Youll get the grill marks without burning your steak.
  • Dont Over Cook: when in doubt, keep an eye on the internal temperature of your steak. We like to keep a meat thermometer on hand at all times while grilling steak tp make sure we can grill it to the perfect temp.
  • Let Rest: always let your steak rest once youre done grilling so that it can continue cooking 5ºF more. Letting your meat rest also helps make your steak super juicy.
  • TUTORIALS

    Do I Need To Prepare The Grates Before I Cook A Steak On The Grill

    You dont need to specially prepare the grate for steak. Some people will use a little olive oil for roasting potatoes or corn, but since youre using a fatty cut of steak theres no need to worry about the meat sticking to the grill. However, if youve recently grilled or the grate is dirty, its important that you clean the grate thoroughly before you cook the steak. Leftover burned on food on the grate can not only negatively impact the flavor of the meat, but it can also cause flareups. To learn more about grill and grate maintenance, to read our article on how to clean charcoal grill grates.

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    Common Grilling Steak Times

    So, how long do you cook steak on the grill? That answer largely depends on the thickness of the meat youre cooking. You can cook thin or thick cuts on the grill just fine, but youll definitely want to alter your times to cook your desired cuts to the right doneness, which, again, is a matter of preference.

    One good tip to keep in mind is to use a meat thermometer for thick cuts of steak and a timer for thin ones. A steak thats ¾ of an inch thick or less may be difficult to get an accurate temperature reading from, so a timer can help. But a meat thermometer can give you a more precise idea of the doneness of your steak to make sure its right.

    For a medium-rare doneness, you typically will need to grill your steak between 4 to 6 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. For medium cooks, shoot for closer to 5 to 8 minutes on each side. Its always best, though, to start with the lower grilling steak time and check with your finger to see if it might need a bit more time, instead of allowing it to cook for a couple of extra minutes. You can always cook it a bit longer if required, but you cant get back tenderness you lose from overcooking.

    When you touch the center of your steaks, a medium rare cook will spring back slightly, yet still feel squishy. A medium cook will be more springy than squishy. If all else fails, you can always cut a small slit in the center of your steak to check its color, but this should only be used as a last resort.

    Prepare The Barbecue Grill

    Grilling the Perfect Steak

    The cooking surface must be clean and oiled so your steaks will have good contact with the grill without sticking. Prepare the grill while it’s finishing heating up.

    The easiest way to oil the cooking grate is with an oil-soaked paper towel and the metal brush used to clean the grill. Fold a paper towel in half until it is the size of your grill cleaning brush. Soak it with oil that has a high smoke point, like canola or grapeseed oil. Brush this over the cooking grates evenly. It will smoke some, but enough oil will remain on the grates as long as you don’t let the grill sit at its highest temperature for too long before grilling.

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    How To Grill Steak Step By Step

  • Take the chill off the steaks. About an hour before grilling, remove the steaks from the fridge. This window between the chill of the fridge and the screaming-hot grill makes for a better sear and a more evenly cooked steak. This is also the best time to lightly brush the steaks with a tiny bit of oil.
  • Get the grill nice and hot. High heat gives the steaks their characteristic grill marks and tender-crisp exterior. Let the grill preheat for at least 20 minutes before grilling the steaks.
  • Sear the steaks. Place the steaks directly over the hottest area of the grill. If your grill has a hot spot thats where you should sear them. Place them on the grill for at least 3 minutes before flipping. Sear for another 3 minutes.
  • Check the steaks temperature. When youre happy with the sear on your steaks, begin checking the internal temperature with a probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak. Youre looking for:
    • 125°F for rare
    • 130 to 135°F for medium-rare
    • 140°F for medium

    Your steak should be medium-rare after about eight minutes total cook time. If you feel like your steak is getting too browned, reduce the heat to medium.

    Get A Grill Thermometer

    Whether you’re using gas or charcoal, get those flames going and let it preheat for at least a few minutes until it’s nice and hot. Next time you go to the grocery store, invest in a grill thermometer. This will let you know when the grill is hot enough to properly cook on. The best temperature to cook steaks is between 450 and 500F.

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    Grilling Steak Why You Need To Do It

    Steaks on the grill really is the bees knees. Theyre juicy, tender, and that charred flavor on the outside you just cant beat it! Our sous vide steak is one of my favorite things to grill, but I realize that not everyone has a sous vide, so we thought wed come up with a much simpler, marinated grilled steak recipe.

    How To Grill A Tomahawk Steak Presentation

    How to Grill the Perfect Steak

    Now at this point, youve got an incredibly tasty piece of meat on your hands. I always like to take things a step further though and wow everybody with the presentation.

    All you have to do for a steakhouse style presentation is to cut the steak along the bone line, detaching the meat from the bone. From there, cut the steak into 1/2 inch wide strips this is the perfect size for your audience to grab and share!

    After you cut all of the strips, press the strips against each other, recreating the shape of the original, whole steak, and place the meat back up against the bone on the cutting board.

    Enjoy, and happy grilling!

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    How Long Do You Cook A Tomahawk Steak In The Oven

    If you dont want to grill your tomahawk, you might instead choose to cook it in the oven. To do this, you will need to begin by setting your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit before leaving it to pre-heat.

    When your steak is prepared and the oven has preheated, you can then place your tomahawk in the oven. To do this, you should place the steak on a cooling rack, and then place the cooling rack in a baking sheet. You might choose to cover your baking sheet with foil to make cleaning up easier.

    Then, all you need to do is cook your steak in the oven for around 45 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will give you a medium steak, so if you prefer your steak cooked differently, you will need to leave it in the oven for longer or take it out earlier.

    Whether Its Perfectly Grilled Or Cooked In A Skillet Usda Prime Is Always Delicious

    The two most popular steak-cooking techniques are outdoor grilling and stovetop cooking, usually in a heavy-bottomed or cast iron skillet. Both techniques create a mouthwatering browned exterior and deep, meaty flavor.

    Not sure which cuts to grill? For a juicy, full-flavored entrée, choose ribeye, porterhouse or any bone-in cut. These cuts have the most marbling and stay tender when grilled. For something quick-cooking, try a thinner cut like skirt steak or flank. If youre leaning towards lean, opt for filet mignon, whole beef tenderloin or New York strip.

    Check out our Meet the Curators video to learn more about how we bring you the best selection of quality beef. We asked Director of Meat and Seafood Peter Mayes for the 411 on top-notch beef, along with some of his go-to cooking methods for our favorite cuts.

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    How To Cook Steak In The Oven

    Broiling steak in the oven gives you grill-like results in the kitchen. Broiling is like grilling turned on its head, with the high heat coming from above the meat instead of below it. Both grilling and broiling are fast and easy. Here’s how to broil in 5 easy steps.

    1. Before turning on the broiler, remove thawed steaks from the refrigerator and let them rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Then pat the steaks dry with paper towels and season the meat as you like.

    2. Trim excess fat from the meat to avoid grease flare-ups. Make a few vertical cuts along the edges of the steak to keep it from curling under the broiler.

    3. Situate the top oven rack to just below the broiler coils. Turn the oven on to broil. Allow it to preheat for 5 minutes.

    4. Place steaks on a broiling panor if you don’t have a broiling pan, make one: line a shallow baking sheet with foil and set a flat rack on top of it. But do not use a glass baking pan under the broiler it will break under the high heat.

    5. Slide the steaks under the glowing coils. The distance between the top of the steaks and the heat source should be between 3 and 5 inches. If the top rack position is too close to the coils, lower the rack to the second position.

    7. If the outside is nicely crusted but the inside is too raw for your liking, turn the oven temperature down to 350 degrees F and roast until done. Remove and let the meat rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

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