How You Should Be Cooking Steak
If we were asked to guess what your favorite meal was, we'd take a gamble and say it was steak. Many people across the country love treating themselves to a classy, delicious steak meal as a reward. Why? Because it's so darn tasty! For all you meat lovers out there, let's dive into this juicy topic. Here are the 10 most popular and beloved cuts of steak & 10 ways people ruin them - don't let this be you!
1. Filet Mignon
Often used in fine dining restaurants, there's a certain level of prestige that's associated with filet mignon. Known for being the most tender cut of steak, if you're very particular about texture, this is a great go to. When cooked right, the result is always an incredibly buttery and soft cut of beef.
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2. Ribeye
Thanks to its higher level of fat content, you can expect ribeye steaks to have plenty of meaty flavor in every bite. When cooked to your ideal temperature (most choose medium rare of course), you'll be satisfied with how juicy the meat is. Many also compliment this cut for being great at holding seasonings well.
3. Prime Rib
When served with a delicious jus, a nicely cooked prime rib might just be unbeatable. Super tender, juicy, and full of whatever flavor you've cooked it with, it's a great centerpiece dish to place in the middle of any feast. If you want to wow your guests at Christmas, this is the meat to cook.
4. Porterhouse
If you love seeing a giant piece of meat served on your plate, we're guessing you're a fan of porterhouses. Sometimes dubbed the "king of steaks," this cut of meat actually comes as a two-for-one. One side of the bone is a tenderloin, while the other is a strip steak. So for those who appreciate more as better, this is right up your alley.
5. T-Bone
Many people will often say the T-bone cut is their absolute favorite. While the thought of having a bone in your steak might initially seem unappealing, cooking meat with its bone actually improves its overall juiciness. And with this cut being another two-in-one deal, you'll definitely be getting a bang for your buck. Its rich flavor is absolutely mindblowing when cooked well.
6. Tenderloin
Tender's already in its name, isn't it? One of the best cuts of meat to serve on special occasions, this steak is used for fancy dishes like Beef Wellington and tartare. When cooked to perfection, you can expect a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that's beyond delicious.
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7. New York Strip
If you love a good bit of marbling in your steak, the New York Strip is king. With so much fat dispersed throughout, you get the best of both meaty flavors and juicy, tender texture. Its got a really strong beefy flavor that most steak lovers absolutely adore.
8. Flat Iron
Although flat iron steaks are a bit leaner than other cuts, they're still super tender and flavorful. According to many online, it's all in the way you slice the meat. But as far as steak cuts go, this is definitely an underrated favorite that's got a dedicated fan base behind it.
9. Hanger
Want something with a deeper, more beefy flavor? Hanger steak might be exactly what you're looking for. Though it's not one people immediately think of, it shouldn't be overlooked. Not only is it relatively inexpensive, but when cooked to medium rare, it's amazingly tender. You just have to be more careful not to overcook this one - it can become a bit tough!
10. Picanha
Never heard of Picanha cut before? Here's your sign to try it. Taken from the top of the rump area, it's also known as rump cover or sirloin cap. It may be lesser known, but it's said to be one of the most flavorful cuts you'll ever taste! And as the cherry on top, it's pretty affordable.
1. Fully Defrosting
It might seem like common sense to fully defrost your steak if you bought it frozen, but apparently that's not the case! Even if you do that for other foods, you need to take a different approach here. It's recommended that you cook your steak while frozen because it creates a better crust and cooks more evenly. While it will take a bit longer, the results will be better!
2. Choosing The Wrong Cut
Each cut of steak has different flavors and textures meaning not all should be cooked in the same way. Depending on what you're cooking, how you adjust the preparation should vary. For instance, picking a leaner cut will likely have a tougher texture which will work in some dishes, but not in others.
3. Forgetting To Remove Excess Moisture
To get the perfect brown crust on your steak, doing this little step can really help. Before grilling, pat the meat dry so that no extra moisture gets added to the pan. After all, you don't want your sear to get all watery and soft, do you?
4. Cooking With The Wrong Oil
Did you know that different oils have different smoke points? That's why it's crucial you cook with the right one when preparing your steak. If you pick one that has too low of a smoke point, you run the risk of burning the outside! It's typically recommended that you use canola, vegetable, or olive oil.
5. Dropping Your Steak Into A Cold Pan
If you start cooking with a cold pan, you won't be able to get a good sear on your steak. As it starts heating up, it'll start cooking the inside of the meat, meaning the timing of your doneness is all messed up now. There's a good chance all the juices will leak out, drying out your steak even further too. Always start with a hot pan to secure the moisture by getting a nice crust on the outside.
6. Over Seasoning It
One mistake people often overlook is over seasoning their steak. While yes, you don't want it to be bland, remember these cuts of meat come with loads of natural flavor. You don't want to outshine all that meaty goodness, so make sure you're not dowsing the steak in all your sauce and seasonings.
7. Not Using A Non-Stick Pan
This tip is pretty straight-forward. No matter what you're cooking, you don't want your food to stick to the pan. And when it comes to steak, a dish that requires flipping the meat over, the last thing you want is losing all your delicious crust to the bottom of the pan.
8. Cooking Only On High Heat
While you do need to cook your steak on high to get that initial sear in, once the outside has browned nicely, you should be turning down the heat. Unless you want a dry, well-done cut of meat, cooking on high will ruin your timing.
9. Not Giving It Time To Rest
Not letting your steak rest before slicing into it is a rookie mistake. All you're doing is letting those delicious juices escape! After cooking the meat, make sure you give it enough time to absorb and distribute all that moisture. That's how you keep the meat from going dry.
10. Flipping It Too Often
We know that temptation of wanting to prod and touch your steak as it cooks in the pan, but do your best to resist it. Over flipping the meat just makes searing it even harder and may mess up how evenly it cooks through. Just let it sit and soak in all that heat to create that crust. Give it the time it needs on each side!
