If you want to start cooking steak for dinner, this guide can help. Here are common mistakes with cooking steak and how to avoid them.
The perfect steak can melt in your mouth and provide an explosion of flavors. However, few people know how to slice and cook a steak properly.
So if you want to learn how to cook steak at home the right way, read this guide on how to avoid common mistakes with cooking steak.
1. Poorly Selecting the Cut of Steak
Different types of steak have different levels of fat content, marbling, and flavor. Different cuts can also be used for different methods of preparation. So choosing the right cut for the meal is essential for the best result.
For example, a lean cut such as sirloin should be thinner than a marbled cut such as rib eye. Additionally, you should choose cuts that are properly vacuum sealed and appear to be freshly cut, with no discoloration or odor.
2. Not Using the Right Amount of Seasoning
Too much seasoning can result in a steak that tastes overly salty or spicy. Too little seasoning can lead to a bland or unappealing steak.
To avoid this, it’s important to use steak seasoning blends before cooking. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel and season both sides with a pinch of salt and a liberal amount of freshly ground black pepper. If you want to add more flavors, you can use garlic powder, onion powder, and a little Worcestershire sauce.
3. Not Preheating the Grill or Pan
This can cause the steak to stick to the pan or grill and overcook, causing it to be dry and unappetizing. To avoid this problem, make sure to preheat the pan or grill to the desired heat before placing the steak on.
Ensure that the grill or pan is hot enough but not too hot.
4. Overcooking or Undercooking the Steak
Overcooking the steak will result in an overly dry, chewy, and tasteless piece of steak that no one will want to eat. Undercooking the steak can make the steak dangerous to eat, as it may not be cooked all the way through.
The best way to avoid overcooking and undercooking steak is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the center of the steak and check for its internal temperature. Just remember that there are different steak temperatures depending on your preferred doneness.
5. Unnecessarily Turning the Steak While Cooking
Unnecessarily turning the steak will cook steak unevenly and cause it to burn in certain spots. To avoid these unwanted results, it is best to let the steak cook undisturbed for two or three minutes on each side before turning it.
You should also opt to use tongs or a fork to turn the steak instead of a spatula to reduce the chances of the steak sticking and tearing.
6. Failing to Rest Your Steak
It is important to let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to settle and redistribute throughout the steak.
This helps ensure that the steak won’t be overcooked and dry. If you cut into the steak immediately after taking it out of the pan, the tender juices will run directly onto your plate instead of into the steak.
Avoid These Mistakes With Cooking Steak
Cooking steak correctly is a learned skill but an obtainable one. With the knowledge of common mistakes with cooking steak and how to avoid them, you are now capable of creating a juicy, delicious steak.
So start your steak-cooking adventures now!
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