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Reverse Seared Steak Recipe

5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield 4 servings
Category Main Dish
Cuisine Amercican

Description

Reverse searing steaks allows for greater control over the cooking process and results in steak that is evenly cooked through. The end result is a tender and juicy steak with a crispy, golden crust.

Ingredients

  • 2 thick-cut beef steaks, at least 1 ½ inches thick or up to 2 inches thick, such as a NY strip, ribeye, porterhouse, T-bone, tri-tip, or filet mignon
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or vegetable oil
  • 4 large cloves garlic, smashed, optional
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, optional

Instructions

  • Season steaks all over with salt (at least 1 teaspoon salt per steak).
    a large new york stip steaks seasoned with salt and set on a wire rack
  • Set steaks on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. If you have the time, refrigerate steaks, uncovered, at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours. If you don’t have time, skip this step and move on to step 3.
    two large new york stip steaks seasoned with salt and set on a wire rack
  • Heat oven to 200°F (93ºC). (Or as low as your oven goes. If it’s higher than 200ºF the process will take longer).
  • Cook steaks in oven until an instant-read thermometer registers 105°F (41°C) for rare, 115°F (46°C) for medium-rare, 125°F (52°C) for medium, or 135°F (57°C) for medium-well. About 20 minutes for rare and up to 40 minutes for medium-well.
    Keep an eye on internal temperature—a lot of factors can impact cooking time.
  • About 5 minutes before steaks come out of oven, heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until nearly smoking. Once steaks are removed from oven, add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil to hot skillet; swirling to melt butter and coat skillet.
  • Add steaks, garlic, and rosemary (if using) to skillet and cook until each side is well-browned, about 1 ½ minutes per side.
    large steak searing in a cast-iron skillet
  • Using tongs, hold steaks upright on their sides to sear.
  • Transfer steaks to a cutting board and let rest 2 minutes. Slice and enjoy immediately.
    sliced rare steak on a wood cutting board with rosemary scattered around it

Instructions for Cooking on Grill

  • For a charcoal grill, fill a chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal hot and covered with ash, pour out and spread coals evenly over half of coal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and preheat 5 minutes.
  • For a gas grill, set half burners to high heat.
  • Brush grill grate with oil.
  • Set steaks on cooler side of grill and let cook uncovered, turning occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer registers 105°F (41°C) for rare, 115°F (46°C) for medium-rare, 125°F (52°C) for medium, or 135°F (57°C) for medium-well.
    Keep an eye on the internal temperature—a lot of factors can impact cooking time.
  • To sear on grill, transfer steaks to a plate or platter. For a charcoal grill, build up biggest fire possible. If using a gas grill, turn all burners to high heat; preheat grill for 3 minutes.
  • Return steaks to hottest part of grill and cook, turning frequently, until crisp and charred all over, about 2 minutes total. Let rest 2 minutes then serve.
  • To sear in cast-iron, about 5 minutes before steaks come off grill, place a large cast-iron skillet on hot side of grill. Once steaks are removed from grill, add 1 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil to hot skillet; swirling to melt butter and coat skillet.
  • Add steaks, garlic, and rosemary (if using) to skillet and cook until each side is well-browned, about 1 ½ minutes per side.
  • Using tongs, hold steaks upright on their sides to sear. Transfer steaks to a cutting board and let rest 2 minutes. Slice and enjoy immediately.

Video

Notes

A large 2-inch thick steak will yield enough for two people. If cooking thinner steaks, count on one steak per person.
If your oven goes lower than 200, you can set it to an even lower temperature, though it will take longer to cook. Temperature will dictate the rate at which the meat cooks.
We don't recommend salting the steak more than 12 hours in advance. We find more than 12 hours and the salt will start negatively impacting the texture of the meat. 
If your steaks have excess moisture on them priorto salting, give them a quick pat with paper towels to soak up the moisture. 
This recipe method is adapted from J. Kenji López-Alt and Serious Eats.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 recipeCalories: 335kcalProtein: 52gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 151mgSodium: 984mgPotassium: 686mgIron: 6mg
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