How to Prepare Steak Before Cooking

Last Updated: November 25, 2022 References

Cooking or grilling a good steak is one of the fundamentals of a chef's or home cook's repertoire. In almost all cases, the quality of a steak is judged by the quality of the cut. The better the cut of meat, the less seasonings should be used because they can mask the natural taste of the beef. However, there are a few things you can do in the preparation process to ensure you are serving the best steak possible. This article will tell you how to prepare steak before cooking.

Steps

1
Thaw steak, if it has been kept in the freezer. It should be placed on a plate in the refrigerator overnight.^{[1]
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- Do not eat a steak that has been defrosted and placed back in the freezer, as the quality of the meat is in question.
2
Choose a steak that is at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) thick. Smaller cuts of meat can be used for other dishes. In order to achieve the medium or medium rare doneness, it must be a fairly thick cut of meat.^{[3]
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3
Take the steak out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you want to start preparing it. This will allow it to come to room temperature and you will be able to gauge the doneness of the steak more easily.
4
Cut off any bones or fat, if you want to. Some people prefer the bone or fat to stay intact for added flavor.
5
Coat the steak in a thin layer of olive oil.^{[4]
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6
Season steak with salt and a generous layer of fresh black pepper about 15 minutes before you plan to cook it. This will allow the salt to be absorbed. Do this after your steak has come to room temperature.
- If you do not season the outside well before you cook it, most of the salt will end up on the grill.
7
Decide on the cooking time for your meat before you place it on the grill or pan.^{[5]
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- Filet mignon, strip steaks and t-bone steaks often have shorter cooking times because they are usually smaller or sliced thinly. They can be tough if overcooked.
- Rib eye, top sirloin and porterhouse steaks often have longer cooking times because they are very thick and include both meat and more marbled fat.
8
Heat your pan or grill and cook your steak. Sear each side of your steak for 2 to 3 minutes.

Community Q&A

Question

Do I wash the meat first?

GrowingNana

Community Answer

Yes, that is usually a good idea, just be sure to dry it well with paper towels so the meat can brown properly.
Question

How long do you cook your steak in the oven before you grill it?

KateyKate

Community Answer

I've never tried cooking a steak in the oven before grilling it - the best way to get a good sear and the temp you prefer is to (1) cook the steak on a hot grill for a great sear and cooked to your liking, or (2) if you prefer your steak more medium-well to well-done, sear the steak on a hot grill (or an equally hot oven-proof skillet if you aren't grilling), then finish the steak in the oven to the temp you prefer. Just FYI, the longer you cook a steak, the higher the possibility of toughness.

Warnings

Do not eat a steak that has a green or blue appearance. Steak can keep safely in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days.

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