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Lots of people cook steak on the grill, but you can also prepare a delicious piece of steak in the oven. The key is to prepare the steak in advance and cook it at the perfect temperature.
Ingredients
- Steak
- Salt
- Pepper
Steps
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Preheat your oven to 450° F (232° C). You'll want a very hot oven to cook the perfect steak. [1] X Research source
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Start off with relatively thick steaks. Steaks that are an inch to an inch and a half thick work best for this method. [2] X Research source That's because thicker steaks get more time to develop a wonderful outer crust before the inside cooks. Generally speaking, the thinner the steak, the quicker it becomes as dry and hard as it cooks.Advertisement -
Pat dry any moisture from all sides of the steak. Excess moisture left on steaks will cause them to steam, not sear. [3] X Research source Take a paper towel and wick away any moisture that's present on your steak.
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Salt your steak before searing it. There are several opinions about how and when to salt your steak. [4] X Research source
- Let your steak warm up to room temperature before you season it so it cooks through evenly. [7] X Research source [v162186_b01]. 16 October 2022.
- If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, salt your steak immediately before you place it in the pan. Salt draws moisture from the inside of the steak to the outside. [6] X Research source
- If you have more than 45 minutes to spare, try salting the steak three quarters of an hour in advance. The salt will draw salt out to the surface of the steak, but after 30 to 40 minutes, the steak will draw back the salted moisture in a process called osmosis. This gives the steak a wonderful taste and, some say, actually tenderizes it. [7] X Research source
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Oil a cast iron skillet or other oven-safe pan with a nice coating of neutral oil and begin to heat it on a burner over high heat. The steak will start off over the burner, but the bulk of the cooking will be done in the oven. This method is used by chefs, cooks and restaurateurs the world over. [8] X Research source
- Use a neutral oil such as pine nut or canola oil instead of a pungent oil like olive oil. This helps respect the natural intensity of the steak's flavor. [9] X Research source
- You'll know the pan is ready to cook with when the oil starts smoking.
- You can also melt 1 teaspoon (4.7 g) of butter in the pan instead of using oil. [12] X Research source [162186_b01]. 16 October 2022.
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Place the steak in the cast iron skillet. [11] X Research source To avoid any oil splatter, tip the bottom of the pan up slightly by lifting the skillet's handle up in the air. The oil should gather in a small reservoir near the very tip of the pan. Place the steak gingerly inside the pan and lower the skillet's handle back down.
- Adjust the steak with tongs to ensure that it's getting equal coverage on the pan (for a better crust), but don't press down on the steak with your tongs in an attempt to "sear" the steak. The steak will sear perfectly well on its own, given time.
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Continue cooking the steak on high for 2-3 minutes. [14] X Research source [162186_b01]. 16 October 2022. Cook the steak just long enough to develop some nice color (i.e. flavor) on the first side.
- Searing your steak before cooking it in the oven will help give it a crispy exterior.
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Flip the steak and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes over high heat. You won't need as much time on the second side of the steak because it will continue to develop color (from contact with the bottom of the pan) in the oven. [13] X Research source
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Add a little butter to the pan right before you're ready to put the steak into the oven (optional). This step is optional, but a tablespoon or two of butter right before the steak goes into the oven gives the steak a wonderfully rich, nutty taste, along with a richer jus to serve alongside the steak in the end.
- Alternatively, you can add a little beef broth and cover your skillet with foil to make your steak extra juicy. [17] X Research source [162186_b01]. 16 October 2022.
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Keeping the steak in the same cast iron skillet, place it in the oven and cook for approximately 6 to 8 minutes. The time spent in the oven depends on the thickness of the steak (the thicker the steak, the longer cooking time it will require) and your desired level of doneness (after 6 minutes, the steak is probably still medium-rare; after 8 minutes, it's about medium). [15] X Research source
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Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak and leave in for a few moments to obtain a reading. Refer to the following temperature to tell whether your steak is done. [16] X Research source
- 120° F (48.8° C) = Rare
- 130° F (54.4° C) = Medium rare
- 140° F (60° C) = Medium
- 150° F (65.5° C) = Medium well
- 160° F (71.1° C) = Well done
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Be sure to let your steak rest for 7 to 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. [17] X Research source As the outer layers of the meat cook, they contract. This sends the juices of the steak further into the center, where they accumulate. If you choose to cut up your steak immediately upon removing it from the oven, the juices will run all over the place because they've been trapped in one place. If, however, you let the steak "rest" for about 8 or 9 minutes after it's done cooking, the outer layers of meat will relax, allowing the remaining juices to travel back into the entire piece of meat. This creates a much juicier piece of steak.
- You can rest your steak under a tent of aluminum foil to retain a little extra heat, but if you're eating it indoors, the amount of extra heat loss will be minimal if you leave the foil off. Plus, tenting foil over the steak may cause the skin to become less crispy. [18] X Research source
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Enjoy your perfectly cooked steak. Serve with classic steak fare, such as a roast potato, steamed asparagus, and a simple salad on the side.
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How Do You Cook Steak?
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you sear a steak before cooking it in the oven?Chef Ashley Crawford is a Private Chef and the Founder of A Taste of Chef Ash. Chef Ashley started in the culinary industry when she was 14. She specializes in Creole and Cajun cuisine but has experience in all culinary topics. She has been featured in ESPN and Sports Illustrated for her culinary work with athletes.Heat your cast iron skillet to medium heat with 1 tsp (14 g) of butter (or any pan spray) and sear the steak on both sides for 2-3 minutes (depending on the thickness of your steak). For extra flavor, add 2 tbsp (28.4 g) of butter, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, and 1 clove of garlic to the skillet. Once the butter melts, baste your steak with it for about 1 minute. Then, put the entire skillet in the oven—your total cooking time depends on the temperature you're looking for.
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QuestionCan I substitute the oil and sear the steak with butter?Community AnswerYes! The reason many choose to use oil is for its higher smoking point. Personally, I've never had a problem with the butter beginning to smoke, but you may want to have a spoon ready to baste the meat in case of it getting close.
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QuestionHow do I know when hamburger patties are done cooking?Community Answer5 - 6 minutes per side. Don't smash them with a spatula, you're wasting good juices/flavor by doing that. Flip them the one time only. To cook them a bit quicker, make a small indentation in the center with your thumb. It helps to ensure complete cooking, and the hole will disappear while cooking.
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Tips
- You may need to experiment with temperature in order to get the perfectly cooked steak for your oven. Many ovens run hot or cold, so use your thermometer (and discretion) while cooking.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on your steak to bring out the meaty flavors, or experiment with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, rosemary, thyme, or homemade herb butter.
- Skirt, flank, ribeye, and filet mignon are some of the best steaks to cook in the oven.
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References
- ↑ https://www.delish.com/cooking/a21566115/how-to-cook-steak-in-the-oven/
- ↑ https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/cook-steak-oven/
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/03/how-to-reverse-sear-best-way-to-cook-steak.html
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2011/03/the-food-lab-more-tips-for-perfect-steaks.html
- ↑ [v162186_b01]. 16 October 2022.
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2011/03/the-food-lab-more-tips-for-perfect-steaks.html
- ↑ http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/03/the-food-lab-more-tips-for-perfect-steaks.html
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/03/how-to-reverse-sear-best-way-to-cook-steak.html
- ↑ https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-top-chefs-secret-to-cooking-the-perfect-steak
- ↑ [162186_b01]. 16 October 2022.
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/03/how-to-reverse-sear-best-way-to-cook-steak.html
- ↑ [162186_b01]. 16 October 2022.
- ↑ https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/how-to-properly-sear-a-steak/
- ↑ [162186_b01]. 16 October 2022.
- ↑ https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/how-to-properly-sear-a-steak/
- ↑ https://www.mychicagosteak.com/steak-university/2018/05/29/ultimate-guide-steak-temperatures/
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2009/12/how-to-have-juicy-meats-steaks-the-food-lab-the-importance-of-resting-grilling.html
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2013/07/ask-the-food-lab-does-resting-under-foil-ruin-meat.html
About This Article
Article Summary
X
While you're preheating your oven to 450 °F, heat cooking oil in a cast iron skillet on high heat. Cook one side of the steak in the skillet for 2-3 minutes. Then, flip the steak and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes. Finally, put the cast iron skillet in the oven and cook the steak for 6-8 minutes. For help choosing a good steak and seasoning it to perfection, read the full article above!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,163,172 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Helpful step-by-step instructions and my steaks turned out delicious! A thermometer is definitely helpful. Going to try it again tomorrow, but will saute some mushrooms in the same pan after while the steaks are doing their final "resting."" ..." more
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"Helpful step-by-step instructions and my steaks turned out delicious! A thermometer is definitely helpful. Going to try it again tomorrow, but will saute some mushrooms in the same pan after while the steaks are doing their final "resting.""
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"Simple, easy to follow step-by-step directions. I am in cancer treatment & trying to eat nutritious meals but get tired of chicken. I found a good cut of top sirloin steak but needed help cooking it. This article was perfect for me."
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"I was looking for a recipe to make steak like you would get at a restaurant, and this one was perfect! The steak I used was Beef Sirloin and it came out juicy and tender. I even used the juices in the pan like a gravy."
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"I skipped the part about tilting the skillet to avoid splashes of oil and sure enough, I got splashes on my tender wrist, which looks pretty ugly about now. But the steak was delish. Great recipe. "
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"Great advice re: salting the steak and using a meat thermometer. Also very interesting info about what's happening to the steak during the process of cooking."
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