How to Cook the Perfect Steak

To enhance the flavour use seasoning, rubs and marinades.

The perfect steak can be a reality, the following techniques will make the difference between an ordinary steak and a great steak.

  • Heat the barbecue or the pan before you add the steak. The steak should sizzle as it makes contact with the heat. Preheat the barbecue to hot. If you’re cooking a thick steak (or like your steak well done) move it to a cooler part of the barbecue or lower the heat to moderately-high as it cooks. Preheat the pan to moderately-hot. Keep the heat moderately-high as you cook.
  • Turn the steak once only. Let the steak cook on one side until moisture appears on the surface, then turn it (otherwise it will be tough).
  • Learn to test your steaks for doneness. There’s a tendency by many of us to overcook steaks. We often leave them just a little longer than needed on the heat (to ensure they’re ‘cooked enough’). Knowing when your steak is ready to be removed from the heat is the key to a perfectly cooked steak.
  • Let your steak rest for 3-5minutes, covered with foil to allow the juices to set.

Learn how to check your steak for doneness with the ‘touch test.’

The ‘touch test’ technique

The ‘Touch Test’

  • Make a circle with your index finger and thumb and apply a little pressure to the centre of the ball on the palm side of your thumb, it will feel very soft. With either your fingertip or the back of your tongs, press the centre of the steak. If it has the same soft texture, it is rare.
  • Move your thumb to the middle finger and press the ball of your thumb again; steaks with the same soft feel will be medium rare.
  • The ring finger and thumb together will indicate a medium doneness.
  • The little finger and thumb together will be very firm; if a steak feels the same it will be well done.

Don’t forget about ‘residual heat.’ It is important to note that while the steak rests, the residual heat continues to raise the internal core temperature of the meat.

All meat should rest before serving

If given the time to rest the meat will loose less juice when you cut it and when you eat it the meat will be juicier and tastier. The time taken to rest will depend on its size, a roast is best rested for 10 to 20 minutes before craving. Steaks or chops should stand for at least 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Cooking a steak to perfection often takes practice. Enjoy the learning process and the delicious results. We really hope that we inspire you to cook great steaks at home.