How to Grill Steak to Perfection
There are a few things you must know in order to grill steak to perfection. If you master them, you’ll have your grilled meals all sorted out in no time.
The first secret is to season the steak well. Salt is a good place to start; it will help the cells in your meat hold moisture, so they can create a better crust on the outside.
The Secrets
For many people, a steak is a transcendent meal. It evokes an intoxicating experience that’s as much about the taste of meat as it is about the sensation of eating it.
If you want to grill a steak that’s as good as your favorite steakhouse, there are a few secrets that you should know. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to turn out the perfect steak every time.
Getting the meat to the right temperature is the most important part of cooking a great steak. A meat thermometer is the key, and an instant-read one is a must.
Once your steak is cooked to the right level, remove it from the heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This will give the juices a chance to redistribute throughout the steak and help it finish cooking evenly.
Finally, don’t stab the steak with a fork or knife while it’s on the grill. This can cause the juices to escape and can result in a dry, flavorless piece of steak.
The Temperature
The best way to grill steak is over a hot fire, allowing the Maillard reaction (which is a cascade of chemical reactions that happen when foods are heated) to develop, resulting in a crust on the surface and great flavors.
For thicker cuts of steak, it can take a long time to reach the desired temperature. To ensure even cooking, flip the steak often.
To keep the meat from overcooking, use a thermometer to check its internal temperature. Insert the probe in the center of the steak, away from fat and bones or gristle.
When it hits the desired temperature, remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices that are still in the center of the steak to redistribute again, ensuring every bite is juicy and tender.
You can also use a instant-read meat thermometer to ensure that your steak is cooked to perfection. A thermometer with a fast response time, such as Thermapens, will show changes in temperature in real-time.
The Time
Time is one of the most important factors in grilling steak to perfection. Every cut of meat has a different density and thickness, so every steak requires a slightly different cooking time and temperature.
A good rule of thumb is that for every inch of steak thickness, it takes five minutes to cook on the grill. This will ensure that the meat is not overcooked and the juices redistribute throughout it instead of spilling out onto the cutting board.
Another key factor is letting the meat come to room temperature before you season it. This helps the salt absorb more of the moisture from the meat and create a super flavorful steak.
The Method
Those with the most experience on the grill will tell you that there are two ways to approach it. One is to throw the steaks on and flip them once, and the other is to be more exacting and worry about every little detail.
The best way is to use a thermometer and grill the meat until it reaches your desired doneness. Then, move it to the direct-heat zone and flip it about every minute so that the surface of the steak browns evenly and the center is cooked without being overly done or undercooked.
This method is especially important for thicker cuts like rib eye or New York strip. The thicker the meat, the longer it will take to reach your target temperature.
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