Are you craving a nice, juicy steak meal? No need to go running to the closest steak house—you can cook a high-quality steak meal all from the comfort of your own home. If you’re not sure how, we’re here to help! Here’s the perfect guide to cooking steak.
The Perfect Cut
You can’t have the perfect steak if you don’t first have the perfect cut. Regardless of your preference for fat on your steak, you will want to find high-quality meat—preferably organic, local meat with farm-fresh quality.
After you find the right place to buy your steak, the cut is up to your own personal tastes! Generally, the more fat and the more marbled a cut is, the better it’s going to taste. Here are some common cuts you may want to consider:
- Ribeye: these cuts are full of marbling which makes them full of flavor. A ribeye is going to be a real classic steak—hearty, juicy, and tender. When looking for a good cut of meat, you couldn’t really go wrong with a ribeye.
- New York Strip: Don’t let the cheaper price of the New York strip fool you—this tender cut of steak is packed with flavor and marbling. If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, the New York strip is the way to go.
- T-Bone: If you’re looking to please a crowd, you should consider a T-bone steak. This cut is usually on the larger side but still offers some tenderness and marbling to help feed several people without sacrificing quality or flavor.
- Top Sirloin: Packed with flavor and from a very tender part of the cow, this cut makes for a great steak. Just be careful not to overcook them since they are rather delicate to heat.
- Filet Mignon: Sometimes, you just have to treat yourself. Whether it’s a special occasion or you’re just investing in some food self-care, the filet mignon is the king of all steak cuts. With a melt-in-your-mouth quality, you’ll not regret spending a little extra money for this cut.
Tis the Season(ings)
While some steak’s flavor can stand alone, adding a little extra spice can help elevate your eating experience. If you really want to let your steak shine, add some salt, pepper, and olive oil to highlight the natural flavors already found in your steak. Some rosemary or thyme pair nicely with a steak and help increase the freshness of your meal.
If you have some extra time before you have to cook your steak and want a really flavorful steak, we suggest you marinate your steak before you cook it. The longer you marinate your steak, the more flavors will soak into the fibers of the meat, but make sure you don’t leave it for more than 24 hours. There are several different marinades to choose from depending on the season, your personal preferences, and what pairs best with your cut.
Choose Your Steak Adventure
There is no one way to cook your steak, and you’ll want to decide what method works best for you. We’ll cover the two most common ways of cooking steak: grilling and pan searing.
The Classic Grill
The grill is perfect for the summertime and family gatherings. Even though we’re heading into the fall, it’s never too late to break out the grill for the perfect steak. The char from a grill helps enhance the flavors of the steak, especially for ribeyes, sirloins, and T-bones. To get the perfect, grilled steak:
- Start heating up your grill until it gets to 450-500 degrees
- Add your steak to the grill
- Sear your steak on each side while the heat is on high
- Turn down the heat and allow the steak to cook until you get your desired rareness
High-End Pan Seared
Pan searing is a great option for those who may not have access to a charcoal or propane grill. This is how many steakhouses cook their steaks and pairs well with New York strips, ribeyes, and filet mignon. For the perfect pan-seared steak:
- Dry your steak with a paper towel (after this add any seasonings if it’s not already marinated)
- Turn your stove on to a medium heat and heat up some oil
- Sear each side of your steak for a couple of minutes (2-4 depending on the thickness of the cut and around a minute for the edges)
- Add butter and other herbs and allow the butter to melt
- Spoon butter and herbs on top of the steak continuously until you reach your desired rareness
Let It Rest
Once your steak is done cooking, regardless of how you cooked it, let your steak rest! Resting your steak allows the meat to reabsorb some of the fluids and juices it lost during the cooking process. You’ll want to let it rest for at least five minutes, but ten minutes is ideal if you’re able to resist the delicious smell!
Find Quality, Local Meats at Ward’s Supermarket
The first step, as we mentioned, is finding the right meat. Luckily for you, here at Ward’s, we have a wide selection of farm-fresh, local meats—including cuts of beef ready to become your at-home, steakhouse dinner. Our friendly staff behind the meat counter would be more than happy to walk you through which cut to get and how much you’ll need. So next time you get that steak craving, come on down to Ward’s first, so you can have the perfect steak!
