How Do You Like Your Steaks?
I just love me a good steak! 🙂 It has finally warmed up a bit here in Wisconsin, so it is time to bring out the grill!
Today I am going to dive into cooking a perfect steak! I understand that everyone has a different preference when it comes to how they like their steaks done, but today I will show you how to cook a steak for every desired temperature.
Here is a chart to help you with this process.
As you can see from my top picture, I like my steak medium rare. The picture above almost looks rare, but it really was closer to medium rare…this steak sat a few minutes for the photo shoot and as a steak sits and is exposed to air, it may become redder in color. Let’s dive into how to cook this steak!
4 Easy Steps To Cooking A Perfect Steak!
Step 1 ~ Leaving The Steaks Out At Room Temperature.
The first thing you want to do is trim any excess fat that you don’t want on a steak and then allow the steak to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This is a very important step when grilling a steak!
Putting a cold steak onto a hot grill top will not create the desired sear that you are looking for when searing the flavors into your steak.
After the steaks have sat out at room temperature, season the steaks with some salt, pepper and garlic powder or garlic salt. As you can see, we generously season ours.
Note in this picture below that our steaks are about 1 1/4″ – 1 1/2″ thick. We decided to cook a filet mignon for its flavor and tender cut. You can go thicker or thinner, but note that your times will change with the thickness of the steaks. Looks like someone is looking forward to these steaks! 🙂
Step 2 ~ Getting A Sear On Your Steak
Preheat your grill on high for about 10 minutes. It is important to have a hot grill for this step!
Now place the steaks on the grill and close the lid and allow the steak to sear for exactly 2 minutes. Take a timer out. We use our iPhone stopwatch to measure the exact time.
After two minutes flip the steaks over. This is what your steak should look like with a nice sear. Sear the other side on high with the lid closed for exactly 2 minutes again!
Step 3 ~ Cooking The Steak To Your Desired Temperature
After your two minutes is up for the second side, turn the grill temperature down to medium low or low. Remember, all grills are different and this might take some practice to find your grills right temperature.
If you are using a charcoal grill and not a gas grill, move your steaks out of the center and closer to the edge of the grill where the temperature of the grill is cooler.
Flip the steak over one more time. Put the lid on and cook for 4 minutes undisturbed for a medium rare steak.
Here are the times to create your desired temperature after you have seared both sides for 2 minutes per side:
- Rare ~ cook approximately 3 minutes on medium low to low with the lid closed
- Medium Rare ~ cook approximately 4 minutes on medium low to low with the lid closed
- Medium ~ cook approximately 5 minutes on medium low to low with the lid closed
- Medium Well ~ cook approximately 6 minutes on medium low to low with the lid closed
- Well ~ Cook approximately 7 minutes on medium low to low with the lid closed
You could also use a meat thermometer to reach your desired doneness. Refer to the second picture above for the temperature guide.
Keep in mind, if you are using a thermometer, pull your meat off the grill 10ºF under the desired temperature because the steak will continue to cook and rise 10ºF in the final phase in step 4.
Another way to test your steak is doing the finger test. Here is a link showing you how to tell your steak is done by using your fingers to test for doneness. Note that when you press on the flesh below your thumb, this is what your steak should feel like when reaching your desired temperature.
Note: All grills are different. It is important to get to know your grill. With some practice, you will discover how your grill distributes heat and how to properly cook on your grill.
Step 4 ~ Allowing Your Steaks To Rest
Once your steak is cooked, here is a VERY important step! Do not take your steak from the grill to the plate and eat right away, all your juices will run out of the steak and will create a dry and almost tough steak.
Instead, allow your steak to rest for ten minutes. Simply tent your steak with some foil and allow it to rest undisturbed and uncut for 10 minutes. This allows for the muscle fibers to resorb the juices creating a delicious and juicy steak.
That’s it! Not hard at all! Once you try this method, you will never want to cook your steak any other way!
Share Your Thoughts
How do you like your steaks? Do you consistently cook them every time?
One thing missing in this article. Carry over. all things cooked continue to cook once you remove them from their cooking mechanism while it be a grill, pan or oven. Just because you take it off/out it doesn’t stop cooking. If you want a medium rare-rare steak, remove them at 118 degrees and le t it rest tented. It will go up 10 degrees to a perfect med rare
I have read this concept many times and tried it at least 50 times and not once has my steaks risen in temperature more than 5 degrees. I use top of the line thermometer and am vigilant about process. I’d really like to see some video and or statistics from others who have achieved this.
Good point, thanks!
Curtis Glassen We’ll need to get a steak grilling day going.
Sud Curtis Glassen Yes we do!!!!!!! I just bought a new grill!
Hilary Mcculloch-Kromalic, Nikki McCulloch Roach next time you are grilling steaks, try this recipe out! Dave is the master of grilling 🙂
Halle McCulloch Cottis does dave read the comments?
mikezielonka Halle McCulloch Cottis He would mikezielonka…shoot hime one 🙂
A limp, lifeless hand indicates the person died of a coronary and should have gone vegan!
On my hand, everything after medium rare feels the same.
Halle, Love the finger test! I will use it.
Tommi Dubuque Johnstone these would look great on your grill!
Dave Cottis your meat looks so good! Best looking piece of meat I have seen in a long time!
mikezielonka Dave Cottis You can’t have your pudding if you don’t eat your meat!
Lol! Hope u blog more in the future.
mikezielonka can you make this at the office? We have that little grill?
My husband tried to teach me this. Sorry I didn’t get it. Feels the same to me.