How to Grill Steak
How to Grill Steak – perfect every time! Learn all the best tips for grilling steak. It’s so easy!
Grilling steak doesn’t have to be intimidating. In just a few simple steps, you can cook a perfect, steakhouse quality grilled steak. The key is to start the steak over high heat to sear the outsides for a flavorful crust and then finish cooking over medium heat until it’s cooked just the way you like it.
Melt in your mouth tender with mouthwatering grill marks, this steak recipe will wow everyone. Serve it with a side of Grilled Asparagus for an impressive yet secretly easy dinner.
How to Grill Steak
Grill steak like a pro with these steps:
- Let the steaks come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes before grilling. This helps the steaks to cook more evenly.
- Trim any fat from the edges of the steak so that it doesn’t cause grill flare ups, which could burn the outsides of the steaks. Fat marbling throughout the center of the steak, however, adds flavor.
- Start the steaks over high heat for 2 minutes per side to sear the outsides and create a delicious crust. Then turn the heat down to medium (or use two grill zones, one high and one medium) and continue cooking the steaks until they reach your desired level of doneness.
- Keep the grill closed while cooking to trap the heat in.
- Let the steaks rest on a clean plate or cutting board for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, for a juicier steak. Covering the steak loosely with foil while it rests will keep it warm.
- The best way to slice steak? Slice it thinly and against the grain. This will give you the most tender, mouthwatering slices.
How to Season Steak
You have a couple of options when it comes to seasoning steak.
- Keep it simple. When you’re cooking a good quality steak, you don’t need much in the way of seasoning to enhance the natural richness of the meat. Just a bit of olive oil and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper will give you the satisfying flavor you crave. You can also sprinkle on some garlic powder, as we’ve done in this Air Fryer Steak recipe.
- Steak Marinade. Marinating the steaks before cooking is a simple step that both adds flavor and helps to tenderize the meat.
- Steak Seasoning. Rubbing the steaks with your favorite steak seasoning is an easy way to ensure intense flavor.
Best Steaks for Grilling
I recommend ribeye steak, NY strip steak, top sirloin, or filet mignon for grilling. These cuts are tender and flavorful as is, so all you have to do is season with salt and pepper and grill. Flank steak and tri-tip are also ideal for cooking on the grill, but you’ll want to tenderize them with a Steak Marinade before cooking.
Steak Doneness Temperatures
The best way to tell if your steak is done is to use an instant read meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. Remove steaks from the heat when they register a few degrees lower than your desired level of doneness. The internal temperature will continue to rise by a few degrees as the steak rests.
- Medium Rare Steak: 135° F
- Medium Steak: 145° F
- Medium Well Steak: 150° F
- Well Done Steak: 160° F
How Long to Grill Steak
This will depend on the size and thickness of your steak, the grill temperature, and how you like your steak cooked. Generally, you’ll want to sear steak for 2 minutes per side over high heat followed by 7-15 minutes of grilling over medium heat for medium done steak.
What to Serve with Grilled Steak
Accentuate the flavor of your steak with a pat of butter or garlic butter or a drizzle of chimichurri sauce. Then round out the meal with a few of these side dishes:
- Potatoes: You can’t go wrong with a fluffy Baked Potato, creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes or crispy Baked French Fries.
- Vegetables: Cook a batch of Grilled Vegetables alongside the steak or make simple Sautéed Green Beans.
- Rolls: You’ll love these chewy Garlic Knots or buttery Dinner Rolls.
More Easy Grilling Recipes
If you love grilled steak, try one of these favorite grilling recipes next:
How to Grill Steak
Ingredients
- 4 boneless ribeye or New York strip steaks, 1 to 1 ½ inches thick, 10-12 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Garlic Butter, or butter, optional, for serving
Instructions
- Let steaks come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Trim extra fat from the edges of the steaks. (This will help to prevent flare ups on the grill which could burn the outsides of the steaks.) Rub olive oil over both sides of steaks. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper
- Preheat grill to high (500° F). Sear steaks over high heat for 2 minutes per side. Then reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking steaks with the grill closed until they reach your desired level of doneness, about 7-12 more minutes. (Cook time will depend on the thickness of the steaks, the grill temperature and how you like your steak cooked.) Remove steaks from the heat when they are 3-5° F below your desired doneness, because the internal temperature will continue to rise while the steak rests.135° F for medium-rare145° F for medium150° F for medium-well160° F for well done
- Place steaks on a clean plate and let them rest for 5-10 minutes, loosely covered with foil, before slicing or serving. Serve with garlic butter or butter and chopped fresh herbs, if desired.
