Nothing beats the taste of a great steak. The anticipation of that first bite and its soul satisfying melt-in-your-mouth tenderness has fueled mankind for years. While going to your favorite steakhouse is always fun, it can be expensive and therefore typically reserved for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. However, you don’t have to deny yourself that great meal to a handful of days during the year. The more affordable alternative is to create a steakhouse quality steak at home! Be sure to get a good cut of meat, prime if available, and follow these tips for a great grilled steak every time.
Salt and Pepper
Use kosher salt, the bigger grains make for a superior crust. Cracked pepper not only adds an element of spice to steak, but also adds crunch. Season the entire steak generously with kosher salt first, then follow with cracked black pepper. Pat seasonings into the steak so that they adhere well. Salt helps the cells retain water, guaranteeing juicy meat.
Warm It Up
Let steaks stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling. They will cook faster all the way to the center and stay juicer. If the steak is too cold, the interior might require so much cooking time to reach that perfect doneness that the steak overcooks deep below the surface, turning gray and dry.
Searing for Flavor
Lock in flavors and aromas on the surface of steak by searing it. Place steak over high heat for about 2½–3 minutes, rotating it 45 degrees at the halfway point for crosshatched, diamond sear marks. Then flip steak over and repeat the process for same amount of time. Once the searing process is complete, let the steak cook over the low heat for 4-5 minutes.
Consider the Thickness
If your steaks are much thicker than an inch, consider the sear and slide approach. After you have seared both sides nicely over direct high heat, slide the steaks to a part of the grill that is not so hot, perhaps over indirect heat, and finish cooking them safely there.
Temperature Matters
The “doneness” of a steak is determined by the internal temperature of the beef. A temperature of 125º F means medium-rare. Instant-read thermometers guarantee you’ll get it right. Use a high-quality meat thermometer for reliable and accurate results.
Let It Rest
Meat continues to cook after it comes off the grill. Remove steaks when they reach 5 degrees below your target temperature. If you want your steak to be at 125˚F, take it off the grill when it reaches 120˚F. Ten minutes of resting does wonders for a steak. Fibers relax, juices spread, colors are recalibrated, and flavors retained.
Nothing beats the taste of a great steak. The anticipation of that first bite and its soul satisfying melt-in-your-mouth tenderness has fueled mankind for years. Create a steakhouse quality steak at home. Be sure to get a good cut of meat, prime if available, and follow these easy steps to grill the perfect steak every time.
Now that you know the easy tips for a great grilled steak, fire up the grill and try cherry-smoked strip steaks or ribeye steaks at your next backyard barbecue gathering with friends and family!
Cherry-Smoked Strip Steak
"Steak is one cut of beef you don’t normally smoke. It requires a hot fire to sear the exterior while keeping the inside sanguine and juicy. But there is a way to smoke a steak low and slow, and if you’re fortunate enough to start with a monster-thick strip or rib eye, this is one of the best methods I know for bringing its interior to a luscious 135°F medium-rare while achieving a sizzling dark crust. You guessed it—reverse searing (you slow-smoke the steak first to cook it through, then rest it, then finally sizzle it over a hot fire to sear the crust)."
1 thick (2- to 3-inch) boneless strip steak, rib steak, or sirloin (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds)
Coarse salt (sea or kosher) and cracked or freshly ground black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
- If using a charcoal kettle grill, light 10 to 12 pieces of charcoal (preferably natural lump charcoal) in a chimney starter. When ready, place the charcoal in one side basket or on one side of the bottom grate. Adjust the top and bottom vents to heat your grill to 225° to 250°F.
- Meanwhile, very generously season the steak on the top, bottom, and sides with salt and pepper. Insert the thermometer probe through the side of the steak, deep into the center.
- Add the wood to the coals. Place the steak on the grate as far away from the fire as possible. Cover the grill and smoke the steak until the internal temperature reaches 110°F. This will take 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Remove the steak from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add 10 to 15 fresh coals to the bed of embers and build a hot fire in your grill, readjusting the vents as needed.
- Lightly brush or drizzle the steak on both sides with olive oil. Place it on the grate over the fire and direct grill until the top and bottom are sizzling and darkly crusted and the internal temperature on an instant-read thermometer reaches 120° to 125°F for rare to 130° to 135°F for medium-rare (2 to 3 minutes per side, 4 to 6 minutes in all), turning with tongs. If you like, give the steak a quarter turn on each side halfway through searing to lay on a crosshatch of grill marks. For really thick steaks, grill the edges, too.
- Serve hot off the grill. I like to cut the steak on the diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick slices. I wouldn’t say no to an additional drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Grilled Ribeye Steaks
"Serve Grilled Ribeye Steaks at your next tailgate for backyard barbecue gathering. Here’s a simple recipe for grilling at home, just like the pros do it at your favorite steakhouse."
4 ribeye steaks, 16 to 18 ounces each
4 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons fresh thyme
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons smoked Spanish paprika, hot
1/4 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons black pepper
In a small, double-bottomed pot, place the garlic and olive oil. Bring to a boil, reduce to a low simmer, and slowly “fry” the garlic until tender and golden. Remove from the stove, and chill.
In a bowl, place the mustard, vinegar, thyme, rosemary, paprika and garlic. Mix thoroughly, mashing the garlic into the mix. Add the oil.
Season the steaks liberally with salt and pepper. Let stand for 10 minutes. Smear the marinade all over the ribeyes, wrap in ziplock bag, and marinate for 4 hours.
Remove and grill to temperature. Allow to rest for 5 minutes prior to serving.