Did you know that 88% of Americans that love to barbecue will usually choose steak to grill? Steak on the grill is a fantastic choice for food when gathering with friends and family or just for dinner for one. Not only is it healthier to use a grill to cook a steak, but it’s delicious!
Whether you’re looking to pick up some new tricks about grilling steaks or you’re just starting to learn about cooking, keep reading to find out how to grill the perfect steak.
What To Consider When Grilling Steak
The first thing to consider when grilling a steak is what you’re grilling on. Depending on the type of grill you have, you may have a different outcome or flavor of steak when you’re done cooking.
This is because the type of flavor you’d like to achieve for your steak is dependent on the type of grill and fuel that you’re using.
For example, a charcoal grill can add a nice sear to the steak due to the high temperature. A wood fire grill can add a smokey and rich flavor to your steak. Any electric grill will help seal the juice inside the steak, but may not add a specific flavor to the meat.
Another way to grill a steak is with a smoker. A smoker is different from a regular grill because a grill will use heat to cook your meat fairly quickly. A smoker will cook your meat using smoke and the process is much slower.
The most beneficial part about smoking your steak instead of grilling it is that it can add more flavor to the meat.
Even though there are many choices when it comes to grilling your meat, understanding the flavor you’re looking for or how long you’d like to cook your meat can help you make the perfect grilled steak.
Just like grilling, there are plenty of different smokers to choose from. If you’re considering using a smoker to grill your meat, check out this article that goes over the differences between an electric vs pellet smoker.
Cooking Times
It’s well known that everyone likes their steak cooked differently. Because of this, it’s good to know the exact cooking times depending on which outcome you’re expecting.
Depending on the thickness of your steak, and how you like your steak cooked, the cooking time will vary. The thicker the steak, the longer the cooking time will be.
For example, a generic steak cut is around 1.5 inches in thickness. For a nice medium rare sear, it will need only 4 minutes on each side to cook. The temperature in the middle of the steak should be between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you like your steak cooked medium or well done, leave it cooking on the grill for between 5 and 7 minutes. The temperature should be between 130 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your steak is thicker than the average cut, the cooking time will need to be longer on each side.
If you’re looking to cook a steak in a smoker, your cooking time will be much longer. The average time to smoke a steak is around 45 minutes. The internal temperature of the steak should be around the average temperature you’d find when grilling a steak.
Tips to Grill the Perfect Steak
Before you begin grilling, it’s important to know what types of steak will be the best to throw on the grill. Here’s a list to help you decide. Once you’ve found the perfect steak to grill, it’s time to start preparing.
Here are some helpful tips to ensure the grilling process is easy and enjoyable.
Let It Thaw
The first tip to keep in mind is to let the steak thaw if you’ve had it in the freezer. Set it in the fridge or out to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking it.
This will make sure that the steak will cook evenly once it’s been placed on the grill.
Seasoning and Marinating
Once you’ve set the steak out, it’s time to add seasoning to the steak. You don’t need a lot of seasoning, but a simple dash of salt, pepper, and garlic powder can be the perfect combination for seasoning.
If you want to take your grilling to the next level, you can marinate or add steak butter to the steak to add more flavor.
When marinating the steak, there are a few things to keep in mind. Lime juice or vinegar will tenderize the meat, while oil, herbs, and spices will add to the flavor of the steak.
The marinade should sit on the steak for at least 30 mins, but the longer you leave it to sit, the more tender and juicy the meat will be. It’s recommended to leave it marinating for a couple of hours.
Another option is to use steak butter to tenderize and add flavor to the steak. By adding herbs and spices to the butter and grilling the steak with the butter, you’re allowing the charred exterior to be tenderized.
It’s important to note that the butter shouldn’t overpower the flavor of the steak. It should complement it.
Let It Rest
One of the most important tips when grilling a steak is to let the steak rest once you take it off of the grill.
If you cut into it as soon as you take it off the grill, all of the juice will pour out of the steak. Instead, let it rest for about 10 minutes before cutting into it to keep the juices locked in.
A Delicious Steak Is Grilled With Care
It may seem easy to grill the perfect steak, but it can be quite difficult to get right. Taking your time with each step of the process will ensure your steak is cooked well. Be sure to keep these tips in mind the next time you’re grilling.
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