Grilling Steak Step By Step
October 7, 2020·
Last week we talked about how to grill a perfect hamburger by focusing on technique. This week well keep focusing on grilling technique and walk step by step through grilling steaks like an expert. You see, a lot of people really over-think grilling steaks. I have had some really elaborately prepared beef jerky grilled by some great people with the best of intentions. Its often hard to sit back and watch the host destroy a perfectly good steak. But hey, its not my party. Ill do the next best thing and break down the simple steps to grilling the perfect steak. In this case, Im grilling sirloins . But this technique is the same for all cuts of beef up to an inch thick. Steaks over an inch thick will require a little more time to cook through, so adjust your times accordingly. And remember to err on the side of rare . Enough intro, lets get down to it
- fresh ground black pepper
How Long To Grill Steak
For a 1 1/2-inch thick steak, here are the general cooking times:
- 6 to 8 minutes for rare
- 7 to 10 minutes for medium-rare
- 10 to 12 minutes for medium
- 12 to 15 minutes for well done
Note that the USDA recommends cooking whole cuts of beef to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Keep in mind that the thickness of your steak, the heat of your grill, and your desired level of doneness will all impact the time it takes your steak to grill. Raichlen suggests checking the temperature of the steak by inserting a digital meat thermometer through the side, not top down. You can also use Elises handy dandy guide.
How To Grill Steak On A Gas Grill To Perfection
Steak is one of my favorite foods to cook at home on my grill.
It is easy how to grill steak on a gas grill to perfection but it is also easy to mess up if you do not know how to do the basics.
Grilling steak on a gas grill is easy and you can easily grill a tender steak on a gas grill without failing at it.
The tender results you get once you perfect cooking steak on your grill is next to none.
There are so many amazing flavors that you can add and you never run out of side dishes to pair it with.
My main secret to cooking steaks is to approach the process carefully. You can use these tips if you want to grill a ribeye steak/ tomahawk steak on a gas grill.
You need to treat the steak delicately to get the results you want when you cook.
The grill, while important, is only a part of a process that involves a lot of work.
Knowing the right tips to grilling a steak on a gas grill is important as you can save a lot of time with trail and error and you get a perfect tender steak everytime you grill it on a gas grill.
A combination of your grill management skills, steak type, and grill features will give you a perfect steak.
Again, it is easy to mess it up so you need to take the job pretty seriously.
There are only a few things that you need to remember and all the other things you need to do will come naturally to you.
So check out the tips and guide below to cook your steak perfectly.
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The Food Lab’s Definitive Guide To Grilled Steak
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Summer’s here and I’ve got a brand-new backyard to grill in, so now seems like as good a time as any to reexamine some of the things we know about grilling beef.
Sure, we can all agree on what our goal is: A perfect steak should have a crusty, crunchy, well-browned exterior surrounding a core of perfectly pink, juicy, tender meat that spans from edge to edge. A perfect steak should have a nice contrast between the smoky, almost charred exterior and the deeply beefy interior. A perfect steak should be chin-drippingly juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
We all know where we want to go. The real debate is, what’s the best way to get there? You’ve just dropped $50 on some prime aged beef, and you’re rightfully nervous about screwing it all up. After all, there’s a lot at… ahem, wait for it… steak.
Want to know how to grill a steak? Here’s my advice: Do not do it the way they do it at steakhouses. It seems counterintuitive: Surely a restaurant with years of experience cooking hundreds of steaks a day knows a thing or two about how it’s done, right? Well, yes. They know how to cook a steak in a steakhouse setting, where their goal is consistency, quality, and, more importantly, speed. Hungry customers don’t want to have to wait for their meat, and a steakhouse has equipment and techniques designed to meet those needs.
Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
How To Dry Brine Steak:
Dry brining steak is much easier than it sounds. It simply involves sprinkling sea salt on both sides of the steak and allowing it to sit.
The concept is similar to wet brining or marinating meat, but all you need is salt and that is all.
The steak should be left open to air in your refrigerator for at least 1 hour , but ideally 12 to 24 hours.
I find 6 hours is plenty of time to yield an insanely tender, mouth-watering delicious steak, but if you have the time, overnight is best!
Coarse sea salt or Pink Himalayan sea salt is marvelous, and I typically use Redmond Real Salt for everything including dry bringing.
I always mention this in my meat posts, but dry bringing meat ahead of time guarantees the best possible result.
The result is tender, juicy, and the concentration of flavor is unreal. Beef tastes beefier. Turkey tastes edible, Chicken tastes better than chicken. Its pure magic.
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Preparing The Steak For The Grill
Before you grill, gather the following supplies:
- Grill tongs
- Vegetable oil
- Meat thermometer
The steak should be removed from the fridge at least fifteen minutes prior to grilling. If you plan on using seasoning, coat both sides of the steak with vegetable oil, which will cause the seasoning to stick, while also preventing it from sticking to the grill. After the meat is lightly coated, liberally sprinkle both sides with seasoning.
In order to prevent any flareups, trim off any excess fat. Next, youll want to add some coarse salt to lock in the juices. Salt is considered a big source of flavor, especially when it comes to grilling a ribeye. Using a coarse salt is important since it can also provide a nice crunchy crust and helps to lock in the flavor.
Internal Temperature Of The Steak
The other temperature that you need to figure out is the steaks internal temperature when you are cooking. This is where you will need a meat probe or a meat thermometer for the job.
Once you figure out the internal temperature of the meat, you will know what type of doneness it has achieved. I would recommend medium-rare for any steak which is 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you aim for medium doneness, the internal temperature of the steak should be 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Well-done doneness is at 145 degrees Fahrenheit but I do not recommend going that far.
Tip: It is more important to cook the steak based on the internal temperature rather than just the amount of time as the longevity of cooking steak relies on the thickness of the cut.
Another way to know the steaks doneness is the finger test where you press your middle finger against your thumb and press the base of the thumb and compare it to the steak.
If it matches, then the steak is medium-rare, check again by putting your ring finger against your thumb for medium-well, and then your pinky against your thumb for well-done.
While it is easy and convenient, I do not recommend testing the steaks doneness with this technique as it can be inconsistent.
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How Long To Cook A Steak On A Gas Grill For Well Done
Should I Sear Filet Mignon Before Grilling
Searing meat doesnt create an impermeable barrier that prevents the release of natural juices when cooking or slicing a steak or other cut of meat. But that doesnt mean you should abandon searing altogether. You should always consider searing steaks before grilling, baking, braising, roasting, or sautéeing.
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How To Grill Steak
Grilling steak can be intimidatingespecially when everyone has a different opinion about how cooked it should be . But I promise you that, in reality, it’s easier and faster than grilling chicken. Below is our basic guide for grilling steak. Follow our rules and cooking times, and you’ll be a grill boss in no time.
Remove the chill.
Steak right out of the fridge will cook unevenly. Set yours out at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling
Be direct.
Direct heat means you’re cooking something directly over the flame . It’s what gives grilled meat that beautiful dark char. Indirect heat means you’re cooking the food to the side of the heat source. For steak, you’re mainly dealing with direct heat.
Temperature matters.
The next thing to consider is temperature. If you’re not super comfortable in the kitchen, yes, you should go buy a meat thermometer if you don’t have one already. If you like your steak medium rare, 130-135° is your range. For medium, it’s 135-145° and for medium well, 145-155°. Please don’t go any higher than that! For all you grill bosses out there, a good way to check if the meat is done is by touch. It should give in a little bit in the middle but bounce back quickly after you press it.
If you’re working with a leaner cut, marinate it!
Let it rest.
Dont even think about slicing into your steak until its had a minimum of10 minutes to seal in all its glorious juices.
Slice against the grain.
How Long Do You Grill A Two
This can depend on the type of grill you have and if there is a nice marble throughout the steak. If youre using a charcoal grill and the steak has some nice marbling, we would recommend giving the steak three to four minutes searing time on each side and around ten minutes of cooking time once the steak is no longer cooking directly over the coals. However, the cook time for a steak of this size can also depend on how you like your steaks. Obviously, if you like your steaks rare or medium-rare then youll want to cook the steak for a shorter period of time, usually two to three minutes per side and only five minutes cook time once the steak is no longer directly over the coals. Using a digital thermometer can easily help you to determine when its time to take your steak off the grill or if it needs to cook for a few minutes longer.
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Gas Grill Temperature For 15 Inch Steak
The best gas grill temperature for 1.5 Inch steak is between 110°F to 120°F, and it should be cooked for about 3 minutes per side. The temperature range above is for rare filet mignon steaks. However, ribeye or sirloin steaks should be grilled between 130°F to 140°F for 6 minutes per side.
Regardless of the steaks size, you need to preheat your gas grill to a temperature of about 450°F to 500°F before grilling. Turn on your gas grill and turn the knob to a high setting. Close the lid and allow the grill to heat up for about 20 to 30 minutes. Also, let your steak defrost and warm up before placing it on the grill.
How To Tell When The Steak Is Done
To tell if a steak is done, many chefs use the age-old trick of touching themselves . Understanding how different parts of your hand feels is an easy way to gauge the relative doneness of your steak. To do the hand trick, make an OK sign.
- Rare: Touch the pad at the base of your thumb. It should feel spongy with very little resistance.
- Medium Rare: Press your middle finger to your thumb and again touch the pad below your thumb. Search for the same sponginess.
- Medium Well: Press your ring finger to your thumb, then feel the area below your thumb.
- Well-Done: Press your pinky to your thumb. It should feel firm with no give.
The skin youve just been pressing gets progressively firmer with each finger tap. A medium steak would be between medium rare and medium well. If this step is too hard, feel free to use a thermometer
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Are Charcoal Grills Better For Grilling Steaks
Many grilling enthusiasts argue that charcoal grills are a better alternative for grilling steaks as opposed to gas or electric grills, but why? When you cook on a charcoal grill, youll enjoy a full smoky flavor, which you just cant get with the other grilling options. Its also much easier to achieve a nice thick crust on the steak. Others feel that gas or electric grills are better choices simply because cleanup is much easier. However, if you know how to clean charcoal grill grates, cleanup and upkeep is actually a breeze. If youre looking for a top of the line charcoal grill, we recommend the PK Grills PK Original Outdoor Charcoal Portable Grill & Smoker Combination.
How Do You Cook A 2 Inch Thick Ribeye On A Gas Grill
Place ribeye steaks on the grill Cook over direct heat for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium rare. Wonder why you need a two-zone setup? If your steaks are close to being done, you can move them over to the cold side of the grill. Use a meat thermometer to determine if youve cooked steaks the way you like them.
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Because Steak Night Is The Best Night
There are two kinds of people in this world. Filet lovers and ribeye lovers. Wonder who I am? Hands down ribeye! Dont get me wrong I wont pass up an opportunity to enjoy a great beef tenderloin. But how I see it fat means more of that delicious steak flavor.
So you go to the grocery store or meat market and get your steak, in this case, a gigantic tomahawk ribeye. Honestly, the first step in cooking a good steak is buying a good piece of meat. Dont skip this step.
How To Grill Ribeye Steak On Gas Grill
If youve always wanted to learn how to grill ribeye steak on gas grill but youve been worried youd end up with a charcoal crust and a raw middle, then youre not alone. Grilling a ribeye steak can intimidate even the best home cooks since this thick cut of meat has to be grilled a certain way in order to perfectly cook the outside of the steak a nice golden brown, without drying it out. Our grilling guide will show you the right way to grill a ribeye, while also discussing the common mistakes most grillers make with their first attempt at grilling this thicker cut of beef.
Learning how to grill ribeye steak on gas grill is simple. Basically, youll want to remove the steak from the fridge ten to fifteen minutes prior to grilling, ensure the grill has reached the right temperature before placing the steak on the grate and keep a close eye on the time when youre searing and cooking the steak on low heat. If youre planning on seasoning the steak, we recommend using a coarse salt, which will create a nice crust and can also help to lock in the flavor. The biggest mistake beginners make when grilling this cut of meat is not using a digital thermometer to test the steaks doneness. Doing so will ensure youve cooked your steak exactly the way you like and can prevent you from overcooking it.
Read on to learn all of the proper steps you need to follow for a ribeye steak thats tender, juicy, and definitely steakhouse quality.
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Hit The Desired Doneness Temperature
The internal temperature of the meat will rise another 5 degrees as the meat rests, bringing it to the ideal final doneness you desire.
Rare: 115°120°F
Medium Rare: 120°125°F
Medium: 130°135°F
Medium Well: 140°145°F
Well Done: 150°F and above
This steak with radishes and black pepper is hot off the grill and ready to eat.
Checking Steak Doneness Based On Internal Temperature
The internal temperature is critical to cook your steak to the desired doneness you want. The internal temperature is recorded in the thickest part of the steak and you should absolutely use a probe meat thermometer to check your temperature readings.
Remove the steak from the gas grill 5°F before it gets to the ideal internal temperature you have in mine because the internal temperature will continue to rise while the meat is resting. Here are the internal temperatures you need to have for your steaks.
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