Grilling a steak is one of those things that may seem simple. But it rarely ever is.
You’ll find a surprising number of people who are passionate about the way they grill their steak.
Other people will grill so casually that they end up burning the steak and ruining their meal. And while you don’t need to be a Michelin chef to grill a steak, you shouldn’t grill it with reckless abandon either.
When done the right way the first time around, you can whip up quite a healthy meal.
So continue reading and we’ll show you the best way to grill steak without breaking a sweat.
Bring the Steak to Room Temp
Too many home cooks will just take their steak right out of the cold fridge and throw it onto a hot fire. If you grill this way, your steak won’t cool evenly. Instead, the outside of the steak is going to cook much faster than the inside.
Instead, you should take your steak out of the refrigerator about thirty minutes before you intend to cook it. Remove the wrapping and put it onto a place. Leave it on the counter and wait for it to reach room temperature.
A quality cut of steak won’t require a lot of seasoning. It will be really tasty with just a good sprinkling of some kosher salt. After your steak reaches room temp, that’s when you want to sprinkle it with kosher salt and any seasoning that you’d like on it.
Clean and Grease Your Grill
No matter what you intend to grill, you should always start by having grill grates that are clean. There are a few reasons for this. First, it’s going to make it easier to flip the meat and also remove it from the grill.
Having a clean grill will also make sure that you’re getting the meat’s full flavor. A dirty grill will impart flavors from prior grilled foods onto your steak.
You should clean your grill grates with a good wire brush. The best time to do this is right after you’ve finished grilling food. This is because those grill grates are still going to be warm.
However, you can also clean the grates while the grill is preheating. Taking the time to clean your grill of any remaining pieces of food will result in a better-tasting dish.
Also, make sure that you coat your grill grates with canola or vegetable oil. Or you can use some other neutral-flavored oil. Put some oil onto a paper towel and rub that towel onto your cold, clean grill grates.
Start the Fire
In order to get a crust on the outside of the steak while not cooking the inside too much, you’re going to need to get two different temperatures set on the grill. In order to achieve those classic grill marks, your grill will have to be turned up to high heat.
You’re basically going to sear your steak. A good rule of thumb is to hold your hand about one inch over the grill grate. You should be able to hold for just one second before it becomes too hot and you have to pull your hand back.
After your steaks are crispy and seared on the outside, you’re going to want to move them to a part of your grill that is cooler. If your grill has enough space and burners in it, set them to a lower temperature.
Just turn off the burner if you don’t have a big enough grill. And if you’re cooking on a charcoal smoker, then have one side that with a hot fire. And have a cooler, smaller fire on the other side.
If you’re curious about what the best smokers for beginners are, read more now.
Touch the Steaks
In order to tell when your meat has gone from raw to properly cooked, you should poke it throughout the grilling process. Raw meat is going to feel squishy. A rare steak will just feel soft.
A medium-rare steak will give your poking some resistance. And a medium-cooked steak will spring back. And when your steak is well done when it feels firm to the touch.
As your steak cooks, gently press your finger onto it. This will teach you the various stages of grilled steak. You should also use a meat thermometer so that you can accurately tell how cooked your steak is.
Don’t Abuse Your Steaks
Touching your steaks to test for how cooked they are is important. But that doesn’t give you permission to start moving and flipping them. You should only flip a steak once during the grilling process.
And you should only move it once from a higher heat area to a lower heat one. After you put your steak on the grill, leave it there until it releases on its own. If you’re struggling to flip it, it’s not ready to be moved.
When it’s released from the grill, flip it once and let it cook until it feels ready to be taken off the grill. You should never press down with a spatula or stab it with a fork as this will get rid of the juices.
Let the Steak Rest
One of the most important parts about grilling that so many people forget is letting the steak rest. After you remove your steak from the grill, let it sit for five to ten minutes. Loosely tent it with aluminum foil so it can retain its heat.
When it’s finally ready, plate, serve and enjoy.
The Best Way to Grill Steak for You
The best way to grill steak is the way that tastes best for you. With the steps listed above, you can make adjustments so that your steaks come out just the way you like it every time.
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