Cooking a perfect beef steakinvolves several key steps to ensure it is juicy, tender, and full of flavor, it is not easy to make the best taste, and here are some of the best ways to cook beef steaks for you to learn to cook at home:
1. Pan-Seared Steak
Pan-searing is a quick and effective method that creates a beautiful crust on the steak.
Ingredients:
2 beef steaks (such as ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Steak:
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Pat the steaks dry with paper towels.
Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Heat the Pan:
Heat a heavy skillet (cast iron works best) over high heat.
Add the vegetable oil and let it get very hot, almost smoking.
Sear the Steak:
Place the steaks in the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or until they reach your desired doneness.
Add the butter, garlic, thyme, and rosemary to the pan.
Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter and herbs over the steaks repeatedly during the last minute of cooking.
Rest the Steak:
Remove the steaks from the pan and place them on a cutting board or plate.
Let the steaks rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serve:
Serve the steaks with a squeeze of lemon juice if desired, and your favorite sides.
2. Grilled Steak
Grilling is a classic method that imparts a smoky flavor and beautiful grill marks.
Ingredients:
2 beef steaks (such as ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Steak:
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Pat the steaks dry with paper towels.
Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Brush the steaks with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Preheat the Grill:
Preheat your grill to high heat (around 450°F or 230°C).
Grill the Steak:
Place the steaks on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or until they reach your desired doneness.
During the last minute of cooking, add the butter, garlic, thyme, and rosemary to the grill.
Use tongs to frequently baste the steaks with the melted butter and herbs.
Rest the Steak:
Remove the steaks from the grill and place them on a cutting board or plate.
Let the steaks rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serve:
Serve the steaks with a squeeze of lemon juice if desired, and your favorite sides.
3. Reverse Sear Steak
The reverse sear method involves slow-cooking the steak in the oven first and then searing it to create a perfect crust.
Ingredients:
2 beef steaks (such as ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Steak:
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
Pat the steaks dry with paper towels.
Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Slow-Cook in the Oven:
Place the steaks on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Place the steaks in the preheated oven and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 110°F (43°C) for medium-rare.
This should take about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steaks.
Sear the Steak:
Heat a heavy skillet (cast iron works best) over high heat.
Add the vegetable oil and let it get very hot, almost smoking.
Place the steaks in the pan and sear for 1-2 minutes on each side for a nice crust.
Add the butter, garlic, thyme, and rosemary to the pan.
Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter and herbs over the steaks repeatedly during the last minute of cooking.
Rest the Steak:
Remove the steaks from the pan and place them on a cutting board or plate.
Let the steaks rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serve:
Serve the steaks with a squeeze of lemon juice if desired, and your favorite sides.
Additional Tips:
Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure your steak reaches the desired doneness, use a meat thermometer. Here are the internal temperatures for different levels of doneness:
Rare: 125°F (52°C)
Medium-Rare: 135°F (57°C)
Medium: 145°F (63°C)
Medium-Well: 155°F (68°C)
Well-Done: 165°F (74°C)
Choose Quality Meat: Start with high-quality, well-marbled cuts of beef for the best results.
Let the Steak Rest: Allowing the steak to rest after cooking helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful steak.