How To Cook A Perfect Steak Indoors, Plus 17 Of Our Fave Steak Recipes - Chatelaine (2024)

Perfect Oven-Cooked Steak

Prep10 minTotal time35 min

Ingredients

  • 2 10-12 oz strip loin steaks, 1.5-inches thick
  • 2 tbsp neutral vegetable oil, such as corn
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • pat of butter (optional)

Instructions

  • PREHEAT oven to 250F. Place steaks on a rack over a baking sheet. Rub with 1 tbsp oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast steaks in the centre of the oven for about 20 minutes for medium-rare. Remove from oven.
  • HEAT oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Add steaks and sear until deep brown and crisp, about 3 min per side. Hold the steaks on their sides and cook the edges for 1 min per side. Remove to rack and let steak rest for10 min. Top with butter, if using. Slice and enjoy.

This raises the matter of effectively cooking meat until it turns brown or is seared. The aim of browning meat is to generate taste. Whether you're browning a steak or minced beef, you're enhancing the flavour through caramelization. Below are a few important points to consider for successfully browning meat.

Preheat the pan: If you don't hear a "tsssss" when you add your meat to the pan, it isn't hot enough. Remove the meat and wait until your pan is hotter.

Avoid cold meat in a hot pan:If you're not comfortable bringing meat to room temperature, at the very least take it out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before you intend to cook it. If the centre of your meat is cold, it will beundercooked when the exterior is cooked.

Pat your steak dry: Oil and water don't like each other. When meat is wet and enters a hot oiled pan, a layer of water between the pan and the meat prevents it from colouring. Pat your meat as dry as you can get it with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel before seasoning it and adding it to the pan.

Season, season, season: Salt serves two functions when it comes to browning meat. First, salt brings out the flavour in the meat. Second, the salt helps caramelize the meat, forming that crispy crust you're looking for. Pat your meat as dry as you can, then rub it with oil to form a seal. Season well with salt and pepper, then add to pan.

Use high heat: Many of us feel scared to use the highest temperature on our stovetop for anything other than boiling water. However, in this case, it is necessary. To achieve a perfect sear on meat, you must use a very hot pan. The hotter the pan, the better the caramelization and colour. If the pan is not hot enough, it will take too much time to create a crust, and the inner layer of the meat will start cooking at the wrong temperature.

This is commonly known as the "rubber chicken" problem. Reducing cook times is better, especially with pricey cuts like filet mignon.

Use a pan that retains heat well:There's a reason professional cooks favour stainless steel and cast iron pans; they retain heat—especially high heat—well.

Cast iron is particularly ideal for steak as it heats up evenly, and when seasoned properly have a non-stick coating. They also don't need to cost a fortune.

Here's everything you need to cook a steak indoors

Mazola Corn Oil, $13 for 2.84L

How To Cook A Perfect Steak Indoors, Plus 17 Of Our Fave Steak Recipes - Chatelaine (1)

Unlike butter, which burns at high temperatures, and olive oil, which loses its distinct flavour with prolonged cooking, neutral vegetable oil such as corn oil has a high smoke point and can ensure a faster sear on a hot pan. When cooking a steak, it's better to begin with hot oil, such as Mazola Corn, and finish with melted butter for flavour.

Lodge 10-in. Cast-Iron Skillet, $37

How To Cook A Perfect Steak Indoors, Plus 17 Of Our Fave Steak Recipes - Chatelaine (2)

Enameled cast-iron pans can get quite pricey. For everyday use, this standard cast-iron skillet is a great, budget-friendly introduction to the category.

Thermopro Digital Meat Thermometer, $13

How To Cook A Perfect Steak Indoors, Plus 17 Of Our Fave Steak Recipes - Chatelaine (3)While high-tech thermometers with wifi connectivity are great for long-roasting cuts of meat such as prime rib or even turkeys, a quick-cooking option such as steak is just fine with a standard, lo-fi thermometer like this Thermapro model.

All-Clad Flexible Stainless Steel Slotted Turner, $32

How To Cook A Perfect Steak Indoors, Plus 17 Of Our Fave Steak Recipes - Chatelaine (4)

Typically used for fish, slotted spatulas are actually far more versatile, and great for scooting under and flipping steaks without breaking that carefully-achieved crust. This option rings in at a good price given its stainless steel construction.

Chatelaine's favourite steak recipes

Classic steak with spicy thai sauce

Not all upgrades need to take you far outside of the box. Sometimes a good-quality steak and a light drizzle of green sauce works, too. Get the recipe.

How To Cook A Perfect Steak Indoors, Plus 17 Of Our Fave Steak Recipes - Chatelaine (5)

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

How To Cook A Perfect Steak Indoors, Plus 17 Of Our Fave Steak Recipes - Chatelaine (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook a steak indoors? ›

PREHEAT oven to 250F. Place steaks on a rack over a baking sheet. Rub with 1 tbsp oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast steaks in the centre of the oven for about 20 minutes for medium-rare.

What is the secret to the perfect steak? ›

During cooking, aim to cook your steak medium-rare to medium – any more and you'll be left with a tough piece of meat. Turning it every minute or so will make sure you get a really even cook. After cooking, leave it to rest and rub with a little extra virgin olive oil or butter for an incredible, juicy steak.

What is the best method for cooking steak? ›

Sous vide is one of the best methods to use to ensure that your steak comes out juicy and tender. This is an especially handy method to use for tough cuts of steak, like chuck or brisket, that require slow, even cooking to tenderize.

How long to cook perfect steak on each side? ›

As a rule of thumb (for a steak 22mm thick) – cook 2 minutes each side for rare, 3-4 mins each side for medium-rare and 4-6 mins each side for medium. For well done, cook for 2-4 minutes each side, then turn the heat down and cook for another 4-6 minutes.

What seasoning goes on steak? ›

Usually, that seasoning is kosher salt and black pepper, but some recipes call for a steak rub, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and other herbs and spices.

What is the best temp to cook steak on an indoor grill? ›

Consider this helpful guide: for a New York strip steak (1 inch thick), grill at 450˚F for 8 to 16 minutes or until it reaches your desired internal temperature. If you are using a grill with only one cooking surface, turn the steak once halfway through cooking.

How do you make steak tender and juicy? ›

7 Ways to Tenderize Steak
  1. Pounding. Using a meat mallet (or kitchen mallet) to pound steaks helps soften and tenderize the meat. ...
  2. Salting. Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. ...
  3. Marinating. ...
  4. Velveting. ...
  5. Slow Cooking. ...
  6. Enzymatic Application. ...
  7. Scoring.
Oct 18, 2022

What makes a steak flavorful and juicy? ›

Choose a good cut of meat: Look for a steak that has good marbling, which is the fat that runs through the meat. This will help keep the steak moist and flavorful. Season the steak: Rub the steak with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer, before cooking. You can also marinate the steak for added flavor.

How do you cook a steak and keep it juicy? ›

During the last minute of cooking, add butter to the pan, plus a few lightly crushed, peeled garlic cloves and a couple of sprigs of thyme or rosemary. Baste the the steak with the butter during the last minute of cooking. Take out of the pan and leave to rest for at least 4-5 minutes before serving.

Is it better to cook steak with butter or oil? ›

WHICH IS BEST FOR COOKING STEAK: BUTTER OR OIL? Unlike butter, many oils have higher smoke points, making them the better option for cooking steak. Furthermore, there are some oils e.g. olive oil or grape seed oil that are healthier alternatives to butter. However, don't expect oil to taste better than butter.

Why do you put butter on steak? ›

Flavor Profile - Its Amazing

This combination doesn't just add fat; it introduces depth and complexity, enhancing the natural savoriness of the meat. The milk solids in butter brown as they heat, contributing a nutty, caramelized note that complements the umami of the steak.

Is it better to pan fry or broil a steak? ›

Every armchair beef connoisseur has their own preferred, super-secret, “I swear by this” cooking method. Round these parts, we're partial to broiling steak for that perfect mix of seared outside and perfectly pink center. Broiling a steak locks in those flavorful juices with a quick, high heat sear.

How many times should you flip a steak when cooking? ›

But the reality is that flipping a steak repeatedly during cooking—as often as every 30 seconds or so—will produce a crust that is just as good (provided you start with meat with a good, dry surface, as you always should), give you a more evenly cooked interior, and cook in about 30% less time to boot!

Do you sear first or last? ›

Steaks, burgers, and chops that are 1 inch or more in thickness are best cooked using a two-stage cooking method. Sear first over direct heat, then finish over indirect heat. Be sure to deduct the searing time from the total estimated cooking time to determine the finishing time.

Do you cook steak on high heat? ›

Steaks should always be cooked on high temperatures to sear the outside and trap the juices and flavor inside. Steaks should almost always be cooked on a grill or in a pan on high heat: all cooking guidelines below are for one-inch thick steaks. Rest your steak for five minutes under aluminum foil before eating.

Is it better to cook a steak in the oven or stove? ›

It is easy to make a mouth-watering, perfectly seared, and tender restaurant-quality steak in the oven. To achieve that crisp, caramelized outside, it is best to sear your steak on the stove first and then cook it in the oven.

Should I cook steak on grill or stove? ›

Both grilled steak and pan seared steak are delicious and flavourful options that can be prepared in different ways. Grilled steak has a smoky flavour and is a healthier option, while pan seared steak has a rich, caramelized flavour and is convenient for indoor cooking.

How do you cook a steak inside without burning outside? ›

Cooking a thick steak without burning the outside requires a combination of high heat for searing and low heat for even cooking. The method commonly used is called "reverse searing." This method ensures a juicy and tender inside with a beautifully browned crust on the outside.

How do you cook a steak on the stove without drying it out? ›

Let the steak come to room temperature before cooking. This will help it cook evenly. If you cook a steak straight from the fridge, the outside will cook before the inside has a chance to heat up, which can lead to a dry steak.

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