How Long To Cook Steak (And Why?)

Exact Answer: 2 to 10 mins

Steak is a staple delicacy in many countries all around the world. Countries that consume beef have Steak as one of their favorites and are served grilled, baked, or pan-fried with asparagus, salad, or mashed potatoes. Also, this might vary from region to region. Cooking Steak is considered a work of art. The temperature, the time, and perfect seasoning will result in a beautiful mouth-watering platter.

The meat is sliced across the muscle tissues of the animal and probably includes a bone. Steak can also be cooked in sauce, such as pan-fried garlic-butter mushroom steak, or minced and formed into patties for hamburgers. Besides cattle, steaks are sliced out of other animals as well, like camel, goat, horse, sheep, pigs, and various types of fish, especially salmon or swordfish.

How Long To Cook Steak - Steak is a staple delicacy in many countries all around the world. Countries that consume beef have Steak as one of their favorites and are served grilled, baked, or pan-fried with asparagus, salad, or mashed potatoes. Also, this might vary from region to region. Cooking Steak is considered a work of art. The temperature, the time, and perfect seasoning will result in a beautiful mouth-watering platter.

How Long To Cook Steak?

Type Of Steak Duration to cook
Rare (Dark red color meat, very moist, red juices)2 minutes on each side, flip just once
Medium (Pinkish-red color meat, moist, from clear to pink juices)4 to 6 minutes on each side, flip just once
Medium rare (Light red color meat, moist, pink juices)3 to 4 minutes on each side, flip once only before the pink droplets of moisture appear on top of the surface on each side.
Well done (Greyish color meat, dry, clear, and no pink juices)2 to 4 minutes on each side, then reduce heat and cook for 4 to 6 minutes more.
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The best choice of steak is always from the grass-fed and grass-finished animals. A great dinner is a meal where the quality of the meat and then on the quality of the cut is most focused on. While purchasing the meat from the grocery store or the butcher and if you get a chance to see check on how looks like before purchasing it, there are a few details to look into to get the best steak possible. It should look dry and firm to the touch.

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A steak that looks wet apparently did not age perfectly and will be less tender and juicy while cooking. Also, choose a rich red, nearly purplish, color, and clear white fat marbling. A steak is graded by the amount of fat marbling it has. The more marbling it’s, the costlier it’ll be. The buyer must note that a grain-fed animal is fed a low diet and gets fat. This fat will be high in omega-6, deprived of fat-soluble nutrients, and full of toxins.

Steak

All the prime cuts of steak are also a detail to check. The best prime cuts come from the rib or short loin areas of the steer, mainly because these are the areas of the animal that get the smallest amount of exercise and will therefore be the most tender. Keep in mind that other cuts of steak exist, but those five cuts are the ones that stand out when cooking a wonderful steak because they’re the foremost tender and flavorful cuts. Those are:

  • The rib eye
  • The T-bone
  • The Porterhouse
  • The Strip loin
  • The Tenderloin

Why Would It Take That Long To Cook Steak?

There are a few essential steps to consider before cooking the steaks. First and foremost, one must let the steaks come to room temperature before cooking them. This ensures a stable cooking experience and lets the steak spend less time in the pan, which will lead to a juicier steak. Simply place the steaks on a grid or a plate and let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking them.

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When the time involves cooking the steaks, pat them dry, and season them with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Most prime cuts of steak only need the essential salt and pepper seasoning. the flowery use of spices would only hide their delicious flavor. Use fancy spice mixes and rubs when cooking tougher and fewer flavorful cuts of steak. Some people wish to season their steak long before they’re going to cook it, but seasoning it just before is probably the foremost popular option.

Steak

It’s all about the beautiful sizzle. Pre-heat a wide frying pan or BBQ to a high temperature. If using a frying pan, the more massive the base, the better it holds heat longer and cooks the meat uniformly. It is important not to fill the pan, or the meat will braise rather than sear. Cook the steak in batches or use more pans if needed. You should hear a loud sizzle when the steak is laid on the pan. If no to less sizzle means the pan is not hot enough.

The timing is very crucial. As the law of thumb, for a steak that is approximately 22mm thick, cook 2 minutes on each side for a rare, 3 to 4 minutes each side for a medium-rare, and 4 to 6 minutes each side for medium. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes on each side, then reduce the heat and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes.

Conclusion

Hence, to determine the doneness, one can always choose to be very precise with the method of cooking and use a thermometer to determine the heat and exact doneness, but nothing can beat experience. After cooking some steaks successfully, one gets better. Cutting the steaks to check the meat is probably not a preferable idea because it will lead to all the delicious juices run out of them.

To test for doneness, use the tip of your clean index finger to gently palpate the steak. If the steak is soft and squishy, it is rare. If it is soft but a little bit springy, that’s medium-rare. If it is springy, then it is medium. Any firmer than those mentioned prior, it is well-done. Therefore, we can determine for how long the steak needs to cook.

Reference

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0309174016300432
  2. https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/71/9/2412/4632430
Nidhi
Nidhi

Hi! I'm Nidhi.
Here at the EHL, it's all about delicious, easy recipes for casual entertaining. So come and join me at the beach, relax and enjoy the food.

25 Comments

  1. I love the detailed explanation about the different cooking styles of steak and the best choice of steak to choose from. Very informative post!

    • I appreciate the emphasis on the quality of the meat and the importance of seasoning. Great tips for cooking steak!

    • I agree! This post is very educational and would be helpful for anyone who wants to cook the perfect steak.

  2. It’s incredible how much effort and precision goes into cooking the perfect steak. Thanks for sharing these tips!

    • This post really makes cooking steak seem like an art form. I appreciate the attention to detail and the step-by-step guide.

    • I never knew there were so many types of steak and specific cooking durations for each. This is enlightening!

  3. The focus on achieving the perfect sizzle and the importance of pre-heating the pan is a great tip. This post has truly elevated my understanding of cooking steak.

    • I agree, the attention to detail in this post is remarkable. I appreciate the thorough explanation of the cooking process.

  4. I’m amazed by the level of detail provided in this post. It’s truly a comprehensive guide to cooking steak, and I feel more confident in my abilities after reading this.

    • I’ve never seen such a thorough breakdown of steak cooking techniques. This post is a valuable resource for any steak enthusiast.

    • This post has really opened my eyes to the nuances of cooking steak. I feel like I’ve gained a new perspective on this culinary art.

  5. The detailed explanation about the best choice of steak and the importance of prime cuts is very helpful. I’ve learned a lot from this post!

    • I agree, this post has increased my knowledge about how to select and cook the best steak. Great information!

  6. The emphasis on the importance of the quality of the meat and the precision of the cooking process is enlightening. This post has given me a newfound appreciation for cooking steak.

    • I couldn’t agree more. This post is a treasure trove of knowledge about cooking steak. I feel inspired to try out these techniques in my own kitchen.

  7. The emphasis on letting the steak come to room temperature and the importance of seasoning is a game-changer. This post has elevated my steak cooking skills!

    • I agree, these details are what make the difference in the taste and tenderness of the steak. I’m excited to put these tips into practice!

  8. The step-by-step guide for cooking steak is extremely helpful. I appreciate the precision and attention to detail in this post.

    • I’ve never seen such a comprehensive guide to cooking steak. I’m impressed by the depth of information provided here.

    • This post has given me a newfound appreciation for the art of cooking steak. The detailed instructions are fantastic.

  9. The detailed information about the cooking durations for different types of steak is enlightening. This post has broadened my knowledge about cooking steak.

    • I agree, the breakdown of cooking times for various types of steak is incredibly informative. I feel more equipped to cook the perfect steak now.

  10. It seems like there are so many factors to consider when cooking steak. The information about marbling and prime cuts is particularly intriguing.

    • I never knew about the relationship between marbling and the cost of steak. This is valuable information!

    • The focus on the quality and details of the steak is enlightening. It’s a whole new level of appreciation for this dish.

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