Grilling steaks consistently is one of the most important and most difficult grill tasks to master. Once you get the art down (the flavor) you need to focus on the science because tastes vary so greatly from person to person.
Learning how to grill steak is something best learned when doing it for two. If you can master grilling for your significant other – someone who should be brutally honest with you – then you will be in a good place.
Things to remember:
- Skill can make a decent steak great
- A lack of skill will make a great steak mediocre
- Use cuts with a good amount of marbleization
- Let steaks come to room temperature before grilling
Guide Summary
1. Preheat the grill
2. Season steaks with kosher salt and cracked black pepper
3. Let steaks stand if still cold
4. Sear steak on first side
5. Flip and cook through to desired temperature
6. Remove from grill and let steaks stand
7. Enjoy
Preheating the Grill
If your grill is charcoal, start the process. Coals are ready when the heat is even and there is an even ash on the majority of the coals. If you have a propane grill, simply preheat it to the appropriate temperature. Then go put on a skirt and some sweet smelling perfume. Just kidding.
Seasoning the Steak
Wars have been fought on how to season steak; people use rubs, marinades, steak sauce, even barbeque sauce. Start simple. Master the art of grilling steak using only simple ingredients. Kosher salt and crushed black pepper will outperform steak seasoning and marinades with most crowds.
The Importance of Temperature
For those with a discerning palette, only a few degrees separate perfection from a ruined dinner. It is important to let steaks come to room temperature before grilling to ensure an even cook. Steaks that are almost freezing in the center when they go on the grill are certain to come out one of two ways: underdone and inconsistent or overdone and dry.
Know your temperature and know the desired temperature of those you are cooking for and remember, a few degrees makes a big differences to those who even moderately appreciate steak. Use the beef temperature chart below (credit: wikipedia) for quick reference.
Cooking Steaks on the Grill
Choose a part of the grill that is hot enough to get the job done but is going to be manageable to work with. If you’re reading “how to grill steak” then the hottest part of the grill is not for you. Find a place with consistent, strong heat and lay down your steak. Once it’s down, don’t move it unless it’s an emergency. Over-flipping causes uneven grill marks and uneven cooking; both of which are unappealing. Aim to flip once.
Add cross hatches by rotating the steak clockwise after an acceptable sear.
Some sources will have you believe there is some sort of magic in knowing when to flip. When the bottom of the steak appears brown and has healthy grate marks on it, flip. After this flip, things come together pretty quickly. Again, avoid magic here. Many people methods like poking, squeezing, or eyeballing. They can be pretty accurate… but a digital grill thermometer is perfectly accurate. Simply insert the probe into the middle of the steak and remove the steak when it is a few degrees away from the desired temperature. The steak will continue cooking while resting.
Resting and Serving
One of the most important steps in the steak grilling process is resting. Resting a steak simply means leaving it alone for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the temperature to stabilize and juices to redistribute. Never cut into a steak before it is allowed to rest; the juices will all end up on the plate.
Serving steak comes down to style and personal taste. Soft rolls, grilled vegetables, and sauteed mushrooms are particularly popular accouterments. Grilling steak can be simple, fast, and can make for a great dish. With practice and constructive criticism from a trusted source, you will be a master of grilled steak in no time.