How To Grill A Steak To Perfection Every Time

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This guide will walk through how to grill a perfect steak every time. One of the most common questions we get as caterers is How to Grill a Steak to perfection. The answer is, it’s easy! Learn how.

A perfect grilled steak, cooked to perfection and sliced

As an event caterer, we often set up an interactive grill station so people can see how we are working our smokers and grills and so we can talk to our customers and provide them with tips and tricks they can take home with them. Everyone seems to want to know foolproof ways to cook a great steak. Below is what we tell our guests.

What is Grilling?

Grilling is cooking protein over high heat to sear the outside and bring the internal temperature up to your desired finishing temperature. Temperature ranges are typically 400 – 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F).

Through a high heat sear, a crust is formed while the interior retains moisture and tender using Maillard Reaction. Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction that browns food (whether using a grill or a cast iron pan). The best way to get the browning is with high heat, and a dry or minimally oiled protein.

Smoking is cooking with lower heat, typically under 300 degrees F. Another great method for steak is reverse sear which combines smoking at a low heat and then grilling it at the end to finish it off with a sear. You can read more about the reverse sear method here.

Tools Needed for Perfect Grilled Steak

  • Charcoal or Gas Grill that can get hot for the initial sear.
  • Instant read digital thermometer, like the Thermoworks Thermapen, to monitor the internal temperature of the meat and avoid overcooking.
  • Long tongs to be able to move the steak and avoid flare ups that burn the steak.

Grilling on pellet grills – If you have a pellet grill it’s still possible to sear the steak. The best method is to get the pellet grill as hot as it will go. Use infrared grill grates or a cast iron pan that warms up as the grill warms up to get the sear quickly and avoid overcooking.

Best Steak Cuts for the Grill

Lean Cuts – These have less intramuscular fat and are not as prone to flare ups (i.e. flames that are triggered by fat dropping on the charcoal). They also cook faster, so attention to the internal temperature of the steak is important.

  • Filet Mignon
  • Top Sirloin Filet
  • Petite Sirloin

Marbled Cuts – These have more intramuscular fat and have amazing texture and flavor from the marbling. These cuts are also more prone to flare ups, so be aware of that potential when grilling these cuts.

  • Ribeye
  • New York Strip, or Striploin
  • T-Bone
  • Porterhouse
Two raw steaks with lots of marbling
American Wagyu Snake River Farms NY Strip

Chef’s Tip – Buy a thick cut steak (or a steak that is greater than 1 1/2 inches thick) for best results. A thin steak can easily overcook, and having the thicker cut will make it easier to keep the interior tender. You can see more great grilling cuts here.

Portion Sizes

We like to plan 3/4 pound of steak per person, pre-cook weight, for a dinner portion. Which means we’ll look at 3 pounds of steak for four people and after slicing add the slices to the plate.

Looking for a great steak purveyor? Consider Snake River Farms for amazing Northwest American Wagyu or Double R Ranch for their Northwest Prime and Choice. The flavor is amazing!

How to Grill A Perfect Steak

  1. Preheat the grill. If using a charcoal grill, use a two-zone method or direct/indirect. This allows the steak sear to occur and then finish the steak over indirect heat and avoid burning.
  2. Trim excess fat if needed and pat dry before seasoning. The dry steak makes the browning or sear much easier and is key to a perfect grilled steak.
  3. Lightly oil the steak with olive oil and season simply with kosher salt and coarse ground pepper.
  4. Place the steak for 3 – 4 minutes over the direct heat to sear and then flip. Continue cooking the other side an additional 3 – 4 minutes to sear.
  5. Move the steak to the indirect side to finish cooking for an additional 8 – 12 minutes depending on how done you like your steak.A guide to direct heat grilling vs indirect heat grilling
  6. Remove steak from heat and let the steak rest 10 minutes. The resting is important because the cells of the meat have expanded due to the grilling. As the cells cool, they contract and pull back in the juices and keep the steak moist and tender after slicing.
  7. Slice against the grains depending on the steak and serve.
Perfect Grilled Steaks

Taking Temperature

Using an instant read thermometer like a Thermoworks MK4 Thermapen, take the temperature by inserting the probe into the center of the cut and move the probe around. Remove the steak when the center of the cut or the coolest area you find is at the desired finishing temperature.

When Is Steak Done

Beef Temperature Ranges

Be sure to take into consideration the carry-over cooking that happens while the steak rests. For steaks remove them 5 degrees lower than your desired temperature. For roasts remove them 10 degrees lower. The steak’s internal temperature will rise as it rests.

Black and Blue100 – 120° Fahrenheit (F)37 – 48° Celsius (C)
Rare120 – 130° F48 – 54° C
Medium Rare130 – 140° F54 – 60° C
Medium140 – 150° F60 – 65° C
Medium Well (not recommended)150 – 160° F65 – 71° C
Well Done (not recommended)160 – 170° F71 – 76° C
Perfect steak slices

Recipe for Perfect Grilled Steak

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steaks onn the grill
5 from 1 vote

Perfect Grilled Steak

Steps to get the perfect steak on the grill every time. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients 

  • 3 pounds NY Strip steaks
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon coasrse ground pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions 

  • Set up and preheat the grill for two zone or direct/indirect cooking.
  • While the grill is warming up, trim excess fat off of the steak (if needed) and pat dry with a paper towel. Lightly coat the steaks with olive oil and then season the steaks with salt and pepper.
  • Place the steak on the hot grill (targeting 500 degrees over the direct heat) and sear over direct heat for 3 – 5 minutes or until you see the browning occur. Flip the steak over and cook the other side over direct heat for additional 3 – 5 minutes or until you see your desired crust develop.
  • Move the steak to indirect heat and continue cooking with grill closed for additional 8 – 10 minutes or until the steak reaches 125 degrees for rare or your desired finishing temperature.
  • Let the steak rest for 10 minutes and then slice against the grain and serve.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American, Grilled Beef
Servings: 4 people
Keyword: Grilled Steak, how to grill a steak, perfect grilled steak
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Perfect grilled steaks

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Vindulge

About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

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