By Culinary.net | Contributor
The sizzling sound of a steak on the grill is synonymous with summer, and the exquisite taste of a perfectly grilled steak is hard to beat.
Before you light up your grill, here are five essential steps to achieving a restaurant-quality steak:
Select and Prepare Your Steak
While tastes (and prices) can vary between cuts like sirloin, ribeye, and T-bone, the preparation method remains largely consistent. For optimal cooking, trim the steak to a thickness of 1/2 to 1 inch. Allow the meat to reach room temperature by taking it out early. A cold steak directly from the fridge can cool down your grill, and the steak’s interior will take longer to cook.
Season Simply with Salt
Use any spices you enjoy, but remember that a great steak often needs only a simple seasoning. A sprinkle of salt is sufficient. Apply the salt anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours before grilling to lock in moisture and enhance flavor.
Utilize High Heat Wisely
Grilling a steak isn’t merely about using high heat. A two-zone fire setup is often best: one side of the grill should be hot for direct cooking, while the other should have a lower temperature for indirect cooking. This allows you to sear the steak over direct heat and then finish cooking it over indirect heat without burning.
Sear and Shift
To sear your steak, cook it over direct heat for 1-2 minutes per side. After developing a good sear, check the steak’s internal temperature. If it hasn’t reached the desired doneness, move it to the cooler side of the grill to finish cooking.
For reference, here are the general temperature guidelines for steak: rare is 120-125°F, medium-rare is 130-135°F, medium is 140-145°F, medium-well is 150-155°F, and well-done is 160-175°F.
Allow the Steak to Rest
Though you might be eager to eat, letting the steak rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking is crucial. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
Find additional cooking tips and recipes at Culinary.net. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
