Learn how to grill steak at home that beats anything you can find at your local steakhouse. This guide will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to grill delicious steaks everyone will love!
If you’re like me, there’s one place that comes to mind when you think of a great steak. Medium rare, loaded baked potato as the side, and a tall glass of sweet tea complete the perfect out to eat meal. Oh, and don’t forget the warm dinner rolls!
I’ve been to numerous places around the country and nothing compares to a steak dinner. But my favorite place to eat steak? Home! That’s right, nothing beats a delicious steak prepared in your own back yard. Grilling a steak may seem intimidating. The thought of it not being like your favorite steakhouse may frighten you.
Don’t worry! I’m here to show you that with a little patience and knowledge, you can grill a perfect steak. Before long, your family and friends will be asking when you’re going to open your own steakhouse!
How To Prepare Steak
When preparing a steak for the grill, there isn’t much to it which makes it nice. I typically don’t marinade steaks because I like to let the the meat, seasoning, and grill do the flavoring. First, you need to choose the type of steak you want to grill. Take a look at the tips section below for my recommendations on the best cuts. I am using a T-Bone here.
Next, sprinkle your seasoning of choice over the surface of the steak. I love to use this Coffee Rub. When applying the seasonings, be mindful of the thickness of your steak. Thicker steaks can handle more seasoning without being overpowered by the spices. The best thing to remember is you can always add more after it’s grilled.
After coating one side of the steak, gently press the seasoning into the steak with your fingers or palm, don’t rub it in. Rubbing seasonings into any cut of meat tends to make for an uneven coating of rub, making each bite inconsistent in flavor.
Finally, once both sides of the steak are seasoned to your liking, let the steak set at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This is an important step! Allowing the steak to come to room temperature will help it cook more evenly making it easier for you.
How To Grill Steak
First, heat your grill to around 375°F. Then, once your grill is up to temperature, place your steak over indirect heat. I find cooking steaks with indirect heat and finishing them over direct heat is the way to go. This method is called reverse searing.
For a 1-1.5 inch thick steak, your going to be grilling it over indirect heat for about 7-10 minutes per side or until the internal temperature has reached 115°F. Make sure to check the internal temperature throughout the cook to ensure your steak is grilled perfectly. When the internal temperature has reached 115°F, it’s time to move it over direct heat. Let it set over direct heat for 1-2 minutes per side to get a great crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
For medium rare steaks, you’re looking for an internal temperature between 130°-135°F. It’s best to pull your steak off the grill when it’s five degrees below the desired temperature. After you remove your steak from the grill, allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Allowing your steak to rest before serving does two things. First, it allows the residual heat inside the meat to bring it up to the desired temperature. This helps ensure the steak isn’t over done and is exactly where you want it. Second, it helps the juices inside the steak redistribute evenly. This makes sure the juice and flavor stay inside instead of running all over your plate. T-Bone appétit!
Grilled Steak Temperatures
- Rare: 120°-125°F (48°-51°C)
- Medium Rare: 130°-135°F (54°-57°C)
- Medium: 140°-145°F (60°-62°C)
- Medium Well: 150°-155°F (65°-68°C)
- Well Done: 160°-165°F (71°-73°C)
Tips on How To Grill Steak
- The best steaks to grill are ones with a lot of marbling. While Ribeyes tend to have the most marbling, other excellent options are the T-Bone or Porter House, Filet Mignon, and New York Strip.
- Let your steak rest after pulling it off the grill. This allows the residual heat inside the meat to bring it up to the desired temperature and keeps the flavor and juices inside.
- If you’re looking for a great steak seasoning, try this Coffee Rub. It has coffee, cocoa, and spices that enhance and bring out the beef flavor. Another great option is this BBQ Rub. Give them a try! You won’t regret it.
- I wouldn’t recommend marinating your steak. Marinating steak can cause issues of texture and rarely enhance the flavor. Because of the extra moisture from the marinade, the outside of your steak won’t be able to get that beautiful seared look. It will be unbrowned and dull in appearance. I suggest sticking with spices and rubs for the best results.
- How Long to Grill Steak will depend on the thickness. If your steak is 1-1.5 inches thick, 7-10 minutes on each side should be about the perfect amount of time.
Sides To Serve With Your Steak
How To Grill Steak
Ingredients
- 1 T-Bone Steak
- Course Sea Salt to taste
- Ground Black Pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons Coffee Rub optional but recommended
Instructions
- Heat grill to around 375°F (190°C). Season the steak with salt and pepper or your favorite spice rub and set aside.
- After the seasoned steak has rested for 20-30 minutes at room temperature, place it on the grill over indirect heat.
- Grill the steak over indirect heat for 7-10 minutes then flip and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 115°F (46°C).
- Once internal temperature has reached 115°F (46°C), place the steak over direct heat for 1-2 minutes per side or until you're 5 degrees under the desired temperature. (Example: if you want a medium rare steak, which has an internal temperature of 130°-135°F, pull your steak off when the internal temperature reaches 125°-130°F).
- Once the steak has been removed from the grill, allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the internal temperature to rise to the desired level and for juices to redistribute evenly.
Amazing!