You don't have to bust your chops in the kitchen to learn how to sear a steak. It's easier than it looks!
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It’s safe to say that steak is classic dish, popping up everywhere from the finest steakhouses to the all day menu at your local diner. It helps that it’s so versatile, with plenty of different types of steak to choose from and endless ways to serve all of those cuts.
But whether you’re making steak tacos or serving a ribeye with some homemade steak sauce, the most important thing is that your steak is cooked just right.This might seem daunting, but it’s definitely possible to do.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be searing like a pro in no time!
How to Sear Steak: Step By Step
Step 1: Salt your steak
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Season your steak evenly with a big pinch of kosher salt. Make sure to get all sides of the steak. I also like to hit it with a good crack of fresh black pepper.
Step 2: Rest your steak before cooking
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Place your seasoned steak on a plate or baking tray and let it rest out at room temperature for 45 minutes to an hour. You never want to sear cold meat! If you have a particularly thick cut of meat, then now is a good time to preheat your oven to 375°F so you can finish your steak in the oven.
Step 3: Preheat the pan
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About 5 minutes before you’re ready to cook your steak, start heating your pan on medium heat. I like to cook my steak in either a cast-iron pan or a stainless steel pan like an All-Clad. Whatever the pan, make sure it gets nice and hot first.
Step 4: Hard sear in oil
Jamie Thrower for Taste of Home
Pour a small splash of oil in the hot pan and gently place the steak down. Let it cook undisturbed for around 4 to 5 minutes while a good sear forms. The steak will tell you when it’s ready to move because it will release its grip on the pan, and you shouldn’t have to force it. When it’s seared to a deep brown, flip and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes.
Thinner cuts like flat iron or flank and skirt steak will cook rather quickly and can be cooked through on the stovetop. If your steak is a thick-cut, then you can finish it in the oven for a few minutes. Make sure your pan is oven-safe, though!
How do I know when my steak is done? The best method is to take its temperature with an instant-read thermometer like this. The temperature will rise pretty quickly toward the end so keep a good eye on it. You’re looking for the following readings:
Medium-Rare: 135°F
Medium: 140°F
Medium-Well: 145°F
Step 5: Rest, then cut against the grain
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Let your steak rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting into it, longer for a thicker cut of meat. Cut your slices against the grain with a sharp knife and finish with a sprinkle of flake salt before serving. Learn more about how to cut steak the right way.
How to Reheat Your Steak
If you happen to have leftovers, make sure to check out these steps to reheat your steak in the tastiest way possible.
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Tips for Searing Steak
Salt before and after
Seasoning meat is a crucial step! I like to use kosher salt for the first seasoning and flake salt like Maldon as a finishing salt. To season, make sure you sprinkle the kosher salt “high and dry,” with your hand a few inches above the meat so the salt granules can disperse evenly. When your steak is done and cut and you’re ready to serve, sprinkle a few flake salt granules on it to really bring out the flavor.
Rest your steak before and after cooking
Before cooking, let your steak rest out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to assure a good sear. The minute a steak hits a hot pan, it begins caramelizing the surface on the outside, but it can’t do that if either the steak or the pan are cold. Those caramelized bits build up complex flavor and make your steak look and taste more delicious.
It’s just as important to let your steak rest after cooking. This gives the steak a chance to absorb all its juices before being cut into, resulting in a tastier finished product.
Preheat your pan
As you can tell by now, temperatures are important in cooking a good steak. Avoid putting meat in a cold pan for the same reason you let your steak rest before cooking it—a cold pan will make it impossible to get a good sear and it will cook the steak unevenly.
Finish with butter
One delicious way to finish your steak is to toss a slab of butter in the pan in the last couple of minutes of cooking. Basting the steak with the butter will give you a bit of a sauce to pour over the finished product, and will lend an even richer and more complex flavor. This is only one ingredient that takes your steak from good to great!
All of Our Best Recipes for Steak
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Tenderloin Steak DianeFor this classic skillet steak dinner, just sear the steaks in butter and top with a gorgeously silky mushroom cream sauce. It’s elegant and effortless all at once.
Cast-Iron Skillet SteakYou definitely don’t have to keep steak for special occasions. One of the easiest ways to cook it is seared in a cast-iron skillet with or without butter. All you need after that is a nice leafy salad to complete the meal.
Steak with Chipotle-Lime ChimichurriChimichurri is a piquant herb sauce that complements steak perfectly. Once you learn how to make the sauce, you'll want to serve it all summer long.
Asian Slaw with SteakYou won’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen with this dish as both the Asian-inspired coleslaw and the grilled steak come together quickly. Just the thing for breezy nights, the colorful combo is perfect for summer gatherings of any size.
Steaks with Mushroom SauceBy using top sirloin, this dish is great for a weeknight dinner for two or four. The rich mushroom-wine sauce brings out the best of the beef-forward flavor, and it tastes great with sides like roasted potatoes and green beans.
Quick Pepper SteakWith a simple sweet and savory sauce, sliced sirloin and fresh bell peppers, this skillet supper comes together in a flash. Serve it with steamed white, brown or cauliflower rice for a fuller meal.
Beef Steaks with Blue CheeseBroil, grill or quickly sear these steaks in a cast-iron pan to get a nice caramelized crust on the outside while keeping the meat tender inside. The size of the steaks, blue cheese topping and croutons can easily be cut in half for smaller portion sizes.
Flank Steak PinwheelsButterfly and flatten a flank steak so there’s a large surface area for this savory red pepper and spinach stuffing. Roll it up, wrap in bacon (yes!) and grill for a few minutes. Once sliced, serve with a delicious creamy blue cheese sauce.
Key West Flank SteakFlank steak is great for the grill, especially with this lime and garlic marinade, and it cooks quickly, just a few minutes per side. After letting it rest, slice against the grain. Need more ideas for this economical cut of beef? Check out some of our other flank steak recipes.
Zesty Steak SaladCook marinated top sirloin steak for this zesty salad, or feel free to use leftover steak from another meal. While the base is leafy romaine lettuce, add anything else you love to the bowl, from cucumbers and mushrooms to cheese.
Air-Fryer Steak FajitasOf course you can make steak in the air fryer! This marinated flank steak takes less than 10 minutes. While you let it rest, slice avocado, onion and lime wedges for serving.
Mushroom Steak Salad with Walnut VinaigretteThis steak salad is a great date night steak recipe because it’s impressive but easy to throw together for any night of the week. Serve with some crusty bread and a great bottle of wine.
Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak TacosSkirt steak is usually a pretty tough cut with lots of connective tissue. That’s why you want to use something like this beer and lime marinade to tenderize it and add flavor. Like other grilled steak recipes, a quick sear over the fire is all it takes.
Beef Filets with Portobello SauceThese steaks with a rich and savory portobello mushroom sauce are a perfect meal for two. Complete the meal with zesty potatoes, a leafy salad and a hunk of great bread.
Flank Steak with Cilantro & Blue Cheese ButterOnce you learn a great steak marinade recipe, you’ll be able to turn even the toughest cut of meat into a delicious dinner. This sweet citrus marinade transforms flank steak into a tender flavorful cut.
Garlic Grilled SteaksElevate your grilled strip or ribeye steaks with this amazing garlic mixture. Have extra? Learn how to repurpose last night’s dinner into one of these amazing leftover steak recipes.
Citrus Steak SaladThere are so many wonderful flavors in this salad, thanks to fresh greens, mandarin oranges, strawberries and a citrusy vinaigrette. The only thing you need to cook is the steak, and dinner is on the table in no time.
Flank Steak with CouscousFor this recipe, use sirloin steak if you prefer it over flank steak. Both take only minutes to broil and have lots of beefy flavor. Make sure to cut against the grain for the most tender pieces.
Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream CheeseThe sharp peppery flavor of horseradish has always been a great foil for a rich, juicy steak. Blend it with cream cheese, parmesan and parsley for a delicious steak topper, and serve with a classic baked potato.
Teriyaki Steak SkewersThese teriyaki steak skewers will be the hit of your next backyard barbecue. The aroma alone will get everyone’s attention, but once they taste the sweet and savory marinade, they’ll be hooked. You can easily double or triple this recipe for a crowd.
Southwest Steak & PotatoesMake this whole meal on the grill for your next cookout. The steak gets a brush of vinegar and Worcestershire before a rub of zesty spices, and the potatoes taste great with a little char from the fire.
Maple & Blue Cheese SteakA marinade of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and Dijon adds a ton of flavor to this steak, and it complements the sharp blue cheese topping. Any cut that you’d grill works here, including sirloin, strip or ribeye.
Smoky Espresso SteakWith espresso, cocoa and pumpkin pie spice, it may sound like you’re making dessert, but it’s actually a delicious rub that transforms broiled or grilled flat iron steak into a flavor bomb.
Grilled Steaks with Marinated TomatoesTalk about peak summer. Sometimes all you need for a perfectly grilled steak is a side of fresh garden tomatoes marinated in raspberry vinaigrette and fresh herbs and spices. A side of cheesy potatoes or sauteed green beans work, too!
Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread SaladThe chili-rubbed grilled steak and fresh vegetables make this panzanella-like salad a one-bowl meal. Use thick-cut bread for the cubes so they can soak up all the flavors.
Grilled Ribeyes with Herb ButterWith Dijon and herbs de Provence, this full-flavored marinade practically takes you to the French countryside. After the steaks come off the grill, top with a savory herb butter. For something more American, try our new obsession: cowboy butter.
Chipotle-Honey Grilled T-BonesFor all the heat lovers out there, these T-bones have a spicy kick. Great on the grill or seared indoors, make these the centerpiece of a Tex Mex-inspired dinner.
Grilled Steak PinwheelsEasy to prepare, steak pinwheels make a statement, especially with this savory mushroom filling. It’s a great summertime option when the grill (and the days and nights) are hot and you want to keep the kitchen cool.
Air-Fryer Taco KabobsYou don’t need to fire up the grill for kabobs! Use the air fryer for this steak recipe instead. These fun steak skewers cook in just about the same amount of time without the fuss. Serve with corn or flour tortillas and pico de gallo.
Saucy Skillet SteaksButter, Dijon and onion turns an everyday steak dinner into something special. Ribeyes are the choice cut for this steak recipe, but you can do the same with a NY strip or tenderloin; the sauce is even great on chicken or burgers.
Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched MushroomsYou’ve seen the bacon-wrapped filet mignon at the grocery store, but it’s just as easy to make at home. This recipe is perfect for two (yay, date night!), but it can easily be doubled or tripled for a dinner party.
Merlot Filet MignonRemember: when you’re cooking with wine, don’t use the cheap stuff; cook with one you’d like to drink. It makes all the difference in a buttery wine sauce like this.
Steak with Citrus SalsaIn the summer, this lime marinade perks up grilled steaks. In the winter, broiled or pan-seared steaks get a blast of sunshine from citrus salsa.
Skillet Steak SupperBecause everything for this quick and easy meal is cooked in one skillet, prep work and cleanup is a breeze. The delicious wine and mushroom sauce will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, though.
Spicy Flank SteakSpice up a flank steak with red pepper flakes and chili powder, and then serve with a cool sour cream sauce. If you prefer, grill the steak over medium-high heat rather than broiling.
Risa Lichtman is a chef and writer living in Portland, Oregon. She is the owner/chef of Lepage Food & Drinks, a small food company featuring Jewish seasonal foods, providing takeaway all around Portland. She has previously published poems in Poetica Magazine, the anthology The Art of Bicycling, Maggid: A Journal of Jewish Literature, and The Dos Passos Review. She lives with her wife Jamie, their dog Isaac, and their cat Sylvia. Follow her at @risaexpizza, or find her delicious food offerings on @lepagefoodanddrinks.
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Updated: Nov. 09, 2021
