There’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked steak to satisfy your cravings and impress your guests. Whether you prefer your steak rare, medium-rare, or well-done, the key to achieving the perfect cook is knowing the right techniques and paying attention to detail. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to cook a delicious steak that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients

• Steak: Choose a high-quality cut such as ribeye, filet mignon, or New York strip.
• Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice (such as garlic powder, paprika, or thyme).
• Oil: High smoke point oil like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil.
• Butter: For finishing the steak (optional).
• Herbs: Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional).
• Garlic: Fresh cloves, smashed (optional).

Equipment

• Cast iron skillet or heavy frying pan
• Tongs
• Meat thermometer

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Steak

1. Choose the Right Cut: Start with a high-quality steak that is at least 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Ribeye, filet mignon, and New York strip are excellent choices.
2. Bring to Room Temperature: Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This helps the steak cook evenly.
3. Season: Season both sides of the steak generously with salt and black pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or paprika if desired.

Step 2: Cook the Steak

1. Preheat the Skillet: Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy frying pan over high heat until it’s smoking hot. Add a tablespoon of oil to the pan.
2. Sear the Steak: Place the steak in the skillet and let it sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until a crust forms.
3. Add Butter and Aromatics (optional): If you like, add a tablespoon of butter, fresh herbs (such as rosemary or thyme), and smashed garlic cloves to the skillet for added flavor.
4. Cook to Desired Doneness: Continue cooking the steak, flipping it every minute or so, until it reaches your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature:
• Rare: 125°F (52°C)
• Medium-rare: 135°F (57°C)
• Medium: 145°F (63°C)
• Medium-well: 150°F (66°C)
• Well-done: 160°F (71°C) and up

Step 3: Rest and Serve

1. Rest the Steak: Once the steak reaches your desired doneness, remove it from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the steak more tender.
2. Slice and Serve: Slice the steak against the grain and serve it with your favorite sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Tips for Success

• Use a meat thermometer: This ensures you cook the steak to the perfect temperature every time.
• Avoid flipping too often: Let the steak sear and develop a crust before flipping it.
• Rest the steak: Resting the steak after cooking is crucial for retaining its juices.

With these tips and steps, you’ll be able to cook the perfect steak that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy your meal!