The sizzle of a steak on a grill is a classic sound of summer. Cooking steak outdoors works on either a gas or charcoal grill. Either option gives the beef a visible sear on the outside. When grilled properly, the inside of the steak stays juicy. Grilled steak is often served whole with potatoes and vegetables as the sides. When chopped or sliced, the grilled meat works well as the filling of a sandwich or inside a taco.
Step 1
Set the steaks out for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling so they are at room temperature. Season the steaks lightly with salt and pepper right before grilling. The salt pulls moisture from the steaks so salting it too early increases the risk of a dry steak.
Step 2
Heat the grill. Allow the grill grate to heat well before placing the steaks on it.
Step 3
Place the steaks onto the hottest part of the grill, placing the thinner parts of each steak away from the hottest spots. Lift the steaks with tongs and move them to another area of the grill if a flare-up occurs. Move it back to the hot area when the flare-up is gone.
Step 4
Flip the steaks one time using tongs instead of a fork so you don't puncture the steak and leak the juices. Avoid moving the steaks around a lot while they cook.
Step 5
Touch the steaks with your hand to estimate how well they are done. A rare steak should feel soft and spongy, a medium steak should feel slightly soft with some spring left and a well-done steak should be firm without springiness or give. Internal temperatures for steak are 140 F for rare, 160 F for medium and 170 F for well-done. Keep in mind that the steak might raise as much as 5 F after being removed from the grill.
Step 6
Remove the steaks from the grill with tongs. Allow the steaks to rest for five minutes before serving.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose a steak graded as "choice" or "prime" for the best grilling results. Steak with fat marbled throughout stays tender and juicy with more flavor. Thicker steaks are less likely to dry out so look for a piece that is at least 1 inch thick. The cooking time varies based on the temperature of the grill, thickness of the steak, distance from the heat, type of steak and the weather. Judge the steak on feel or temperature rather than cooking time.
Things You'll Need
- Salt
- Pepper
- Tongs
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