What Is The Time Needed To Grill Steak?

There is no one way to cook a steak --- namely because there are so many different varieties of them. Tenderloin and sirloin steaks are vastly different from cuts from the round or chuck. The origin of your steak, as well as the type of grill you plan to use, will dictate how long your need for a perfectly cooked steak.

Loin Steaks

The loin of the cow is in the middle of its body on its top side, and responsible for finer cuts like porterhouse, strip and tenderloin steaks. This region is home to non-weight bearing muscles that are rarely worked and therefore, the Chicago Steak Company explains, remains tender.
According to grilling guidelines provided by the Cattlemen's Beef Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association, 1-in., medium-done steaks from the loin should take between 10 and 19 minutes to cook on a gas grill and 15 and 18 minutes over charcoal. Bone-in porterhouse steaks take the longest on gas --- 19 minutes for a 1-in. steak cooked medium. Tenderloin and strip steaks require the shortest cook times on gas, at 15 minutes. All three cuts reach medium doneness at approximately 15 minutes.

Sirloin Steaks

Sirloin steaks, which include the tri-tip cut, are among the leanest on the cow. A 1-in. top sirloin steak should take 16 minutes to reach medium on a gas grill and 21 minutes over charcoal.

Rib Eye Steaks

Rib eye steaks are cut from the cow's rib section. According to the Chicago Steak Company, the high fat content and deep marbling of the meat renders a very juicy steak. One-in. rib eyes should cook to medium in 14 minutes, regardless of grill type.

Tougher Cuts

Cuts from the loin, sirloin and rib eye get their tenderness from the lack of stress put on the muscles in these regions. The more work a muscle group performs, the tougher it will be to chew when prepared as a steak. Shoulder steaks, like London broils, and flank steaks require liquid marinades and longer cooking times for a well-prepared meal. One-in. boneless shoulder steaks take 19 minutes on gas and 20 on charcoal to reach medium. Flank steaks, cut from the underbelly of the cow, can take up to 21 minutes to reach medium.