The best way to Sear a Steak on a Griddle

Study the way to sear a steak to get one of the best outcomes, utilizing correct griddle temperature, appropriate oils and ending ideas for good doneness.

By Christie Vanover | Printed April 5, 2023 | Final Up to date April 5, 2023

There are two main methods to cook dinner a steak, both on a grill or in a pan. This recipe will stroll you thru the way to sear the proper steak utilizing a griddle or cast-iron pan.

Table of Contents

Why you need to sear steak

If you grill a steak, you that nice taste created when the fats drips onto the coals or burners. However the exterior of the steak solely will get charred or seared with grill marks the place the meat touches the grill grates.

If you sear a steak, the complete floor of the meat makes direct contact with the warmth supply. The sugars and proteins expertise a chemical response, forming a flavorful crust that encapsulates the interior meat. And the brown crust offers a tantalizing texture. That is referred to as the Maillard response.

There are a few methods to sear an ideal steak. Most eating places use a forged iron skillet, as a result of they’ll get actually sizzling and distribute warmth evenly. It is a nice choice to strive at house, as nicely.

One other technique to sear a steak is with a flattop griddle like an Evo, Blackstone or Cuisinart 360. The benefit of utilizing a griddle versus a skillet is that you could cook dinner many steaks without delay and you’ll cook dinner some facet dishes all on the identical time.

When searing steak, begin with a excessive smoke level oil to create the proper crust. End with butter so as to add great wealthy taste.

Elements

Steaks: More often than not, I cook dinner ribeye steaks as a result of they’ve nice marbling.
Steak Seasoning: Truthfully, steak is scrumptious with simply kosher salt and black pepper, however when cooking steak, I normally use my Steak Rub recipe.
Oil: As a result of we’re cooking at excessive warmth, use an oil with a excessive smoke level, corresponding to vegetable oil, canola oil, corn oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil or peanut oil. Olive oil just isn’t really helpful.
Butter: Butter is added for taste. Select a high-quality butter like Kerrygold. I desire to make use of salted butter.

Substitutions: You possibly can comply with this recipe with any kind of beef steak, corresponding to New York strip steak, filet mignon steak, porterhouse steak, sirloin steak and chuck steak.

See the total recipe card under for servings and a full listing of substances.

STEP ONE: Season your steaks on each side with steak rub or salt and pepper. Let it relaxation at room temperature on the counter whilst you warmth the griddle.

PRO TIP: The steak have to be dry to kind a pleasant crust, in any other case it is going to steam. That’s why I don’t use a marinade. For a greater sear, take away it from the packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel to take away extra moisture.

STEP TWO: Warmth the griddle to medium-high warmth. You should utilize an infrared thermometer to measure the warmth of the floor. You need it to be between 450-500F levels. Add a excessive smoke level oil to the floor.

For those who’re utilizing a forged iron skillet as an alternative of a griddle, place the pan on the range over medium-high warmth and warmth the pan floor to 450-500F levels.

PRO TIP: One of the best ways to use the oil is to position it in a squeeze bottle. Then, you possibly can squeeze the oil instantly on the griddle floor.

STEP THREE: Add the steaks to the griddle or pan. To create a ravishing crust, press the steaks down together with your tongs, so that they totally make contact with the floor.

STEP FOUR: After about 4 minutes, the steaks ought to have shaped an ideal sear. Flip the steak and press down once more. Proceed to cook dinner for 3 minutes. If the sides are fatty, use the tongs to carry the steak on both sides to sear.

STEP FIVE: Add two pats of butter on every steak. You should utilize common butter or compound butter like my Ancho Garlic Compound Butter. Prepare dinner one other 2 to five minutes, relying in your desired doneness. As they relaxation, the temperature will rise a couple of extra levels.

For those who’re cooking these in a sizzling skillet, you possibly can seize the deal with with an oven mitt and tilt the pan. Then, use a spoon to baste the meat with melted butter and drippings. For added taste, add a few sprigs of thyme and crushed garlic to the pan.

PRO TIP: To precisely measure the inner temperature of your steaks, use a digital meat thermometer and insert it into the facet of the steak towards the middle. The ultimate cook dinner time will depend upon the thickness of your steak. Thinner steak will cook dinner quicker than thicker steak.

Steak Doneness Temperatures

Uncommon (cool crimson middle) 125F levels
Medium Uncommon (heat crimson middle) 135F levels
Medium (heat pink middle) 145F levels
Medium Nicely (barely pink middle) 150F levels
Nicely Accomplished (little or no pink) 160F levels

The best way to serve seared steak

As soon as the butter melts and the steak reaches your required doneness, take away from the griddle to a plate or reducing board. Let it relaxation for 5-10 minutes earlier than serving to permit the entire juices to settle into the steak. Tent it with aluminum foil to maintain it heat.

seared ribeye steak with melted butter on top.

Storage

Leftover seared steak may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-5 days. You can even freeze seared steak for as much as 6 months.

I prefer to slice leftover steak earlier than storing it. That manner, you possibly can simply add it to dishes like omelets and sandwiches.

GCG Professional Pitmaster Suggestions

Let your steak relaxation at room temperature after seasoning
Warmth your griddle to 450-500F levels
Use oil with a excessive smoke level
Press the steak down for one of the best sear
Use an instant-read thermometer to find out doneness

Often Requested Questions

How lengthy does it take to sear a steak?

In case your griddle or skillet is ready to medium-high warmth, it is going to take about 3-4 minutes per facet to sear a 1 to 1-1/4 inch thick steak. Then, enable one other 2-5 minutes to proceed cooking it to your required inside temperature. Thinner steaks will cook dinner quicker.

Which oil ought to I exploit to sear a steak?

When cooking at a excessive temperature, it’s necessary to make use of an oil with a excessive smoke level like vegetable oil, canola oil, corn oil, avocado oil or peanut oil.

How do you sear a steak in a cast-iron skillet?

Observe the identical method you’ll for cooking a steak on a griddle. As a result of a forged iron pan has sides, it’s also possible to baste the butter on the steak. This implies you possibly can add the butter to the skillet, seize the deal with with a sizzling pad and tilt it. Then, use a spoon to pour melted butter and pan drippings over the steak repeatedly.

How a lot seasoning do I would like per steak?

Plan on two teaspoons of steak seasoning for each 1 pound of steak. For reference, a boneless ribeye that’s between 1 to 1 1/4 inches thick normally weighs round 1 pound.

What’s a reverse-seared steak?

Reverse searing is the method of cooking a steak at a decrease temperature, normally on a smoker, so it absorbs the woodfire taste. As soon as the steak reaches 90-110F levels, it’s transferred to a grill, griddle or sizzling pan set to excessive warmth to sear steaks to their ultimate temp.

Aspect dishes that go nice with seared steak

Extra Steak Recipes

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