How To Cook The Perfect Steak
A perfect steak is a thick, high-quality cut of beef that has been cooked to the desired level of doneness and seasoned with just the right amount of seasoning. It should be juicy and tender, with a nice crust on the outside from being properly seared.
What cut of steak should I use for the perfect steak?
It depends on personal preference and the cooking method you plan to use. Here are some popular cuts of steak:
- Ribeye: This cut comes from the rib section of the cow and is known for its rich flavor and tenderness. It is best cooked on a grill or in a pan to medium-rare or medium doneness.
- Filet Mignon: This tender cut comes from the smaller end of the tenderloin and has a mild, buttery flavor. It is commonly served in high-end restaurants and can be cooked on a grill, broiled, or pan-seared.
- New York Strip: Also known as striploin or Kansas City strip, this cut comes from the short loin section and has a good balance of flavor and tenderness. It can be cooked on a grill, broiled, or pan-seared.
- T-Bone: This cut consists of two parts – one side is tenderloin and the other side is New York strip separated by a bone in the shape of “T”. It has great flavor but can be slightly tougher than other cuts due to its size. It is typically grilled or broiled.
- Sirloin: This budget-friendly cut comes from behind the rib section and has good beefy flavor but tends to be less tender than other cuts mentioned above. It can be marinated before grilling or sliced thin for stir-fries.
Ultimately, it’s important to choose high-quality meat no matter which cut you prefer for optimal taste and tenderness.
What are the different grades of beef?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) officially grades beef based on the maturity and marbling, or intramuscular fat, of the animal. There are eight different grades of beef: Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter and Canner.
- Prime: This is the highest grade of beef and it’s typically produced from young cattle that have been fed a diet rich in corn and other grains. It has abundant marbling throughout the meat which makes it very tender and flavorful.
- Choice: This is the second-highest grade of beef and it also comes from young cattle with good marbling. However, it may not be as tender or flavorful as prime.
- Select: This grade comes from slightly older cattle with less marbling than Prime or Choice cuts. While still juicy and flavorful if cooked properly, it may require more cooking time to become tender.
- Standard: Similar to Select cuts but usually have less flavor due to even leaner cuts with minimal marbling.
- Commercial: These cuts are usually used for ground beef or processed products since they come from cows past their youthful stages so there is little tenderness to be found here; they can toughen up quickly when cooked too hot.
- Utility: Also known as “no-roll” quality cuts because they lack enough quality (marbling) to earn any specific USDA designation – these animals are generally older cows used for lower-value ground meat purposes only.
- Cutter: These animals come from mature cows that have undergone heavy use in production such as giving birth several times – so all muscles are at higher tension levels meaning tougher bits!
- Canner: The lowest grade given by USDA – mostly taken from culled dairy cow production where all disolved fats have already darkened.
How can I tell when my steak has reached the desired doneness?
There are several ways to determine the doneness of your steak:
- By touch: As a steak cooks, it becomes firmer. You can compare the firmness of your palm while touching different fingers together as a guide. For example, touching your thumb to your middle finger gives an indication of medium doneness.
- Thermometer: The most accurate way is to use a meat thermometer. Here are the internal temperatures for steak doneness:
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
- Medium Well: 150-155°F
- Well Done: 160°F and above
What are the cooking times for different levels of steak doneness?
Cooking times can vary based on the thickness of the steak and the cooking method. A general guideline for a 1-inch thick steak seared on a preheated grill or pan is:
- Rare: 2-3 minutes per side
- Medium Rare: 3-4 minutes per side
- Medium: 4-5 minutes per side
- Medium Well: 5-6 minutes per side
- Well Done: 6-7 minutes per side
Keep in mind that a resting period of at least 5 minutes after cooking is crucial for the juices to redistribute.
How should I store my steak before and after cooking?
- Before Cooking:
- Raw steak should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, ideally on the bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination.
- Use within 3-5 days of purchase or freeze it. When freezing, ensure the steak is wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn.
- After Cooking:
- Leftover steak should be cooled to room temperature quickly and then wrapped in foil or an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days.
- For longer storage, slice and freeze the cooked steak in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
What’s the best way to reheat a cooked steak without overcooking it?
o preserve the flavor and avoid overcooking, bring the steak to room temperature and then reheat it gently. You can use a low-heat oven (around 250°F) and warm the steak until it reaches the desired internal temperature. Alternatively, for a quicker method, reheat it in a skillet over low heat just until it’s warm throughout.
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How To Cook The Perfect Steak
A perfect steak is a thick, high-quality cut of beef that has been cooked to the desired level of doneness and seasoned with just the right amount of seasoning. It should be juicy and tender, with a nice crust on the outside from being properly seared.
Ingredients
- 2 beef ribeye steak at least 1-inch thick
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Take the steaks out of the refrigerator and remove any packaging. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Coat each side of the steaks with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder to make a rub mixture. Rub both sides of each steak with the mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat a heavy, oven-safe skillet over high heat until it becomes smoking hot. Sear the steaks in the hot pan for 2-3 minutes per side.
- After searing, transfer the skillet with the seared steaks into the preheated oven to finish cooking. Remove the steaks from the oven when they reach an internal temperature of 130 degrees F for medium rare perfection or when they are cooked on your desired level of doneness.
- Once the steaks are removed from the oven, immediately top them with 1 tablespoon of butter. Allow the steaks to rest for 10 minutes before cutting into them.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 1181mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 27IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.3mg
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