Sign Up for the Recipe Publishing Newsletter
How to Broil a Steak for Sensational Results
Steak is wonderful when it is cooked properly and broiling is a great cooking method for this meat, especially if you do not have a grill. Broilers provide a consistent temperature, unlike grills, and they are conveniently located in the kitchen. A lot of people have questions about this cooking method though, like how long do you broil steak for good results, or at what temperature do you broil steak.
Choose the right steak for broiling. A well-marbled steak is a good idea and this means there are thin pieces of fat running through it. These will melt when the steak cooks, keeping it juicy. Buy a rich, red-colored steak. The more brown it looks the older it is. Remember that broiling is best for medium thick cuts, else the inside will be undercooked when the outside is done, so choose something that is less than an inch and a quarter thick.
Marinating Your Steak - Is it Necessary?
You can marinade your steak before broiling it if you want to. If you are using a twenty or thirty minute marinade, you can marinate the steak at room temperature. Any long than that though and it needs to go in the refrigerator.
If you are using New York strip, tenderloin or another fine cut, you do not need to marinate it - just rub some salt and pepper over it before broiling. If you do want to use a marinade, just give it ten minutes. Over-marinating a fine steak can turn it to mush. Flank steak, round steak and other tough cuts are best if you use an easy steak marinade on them, combining acids like soy sauce, vinegar, or lemon juice, to break down the tough fibers in the steak.
At What Temperature Do You Broil Steak?
Your steak needs to be four inches from the broiler heat source so adjust your oven rack accordingly. Turn the oven to the "broil" setting and preheat it to 350 degrees F. Use cooking spray to grease your broiler pan and put the steak on it.
Let the excess marinade (if you used one) drip through the slots on the pan. If you do not have a broiler pan, use a cookie sheet or baking dish but bear in mind these do not have slots like a broiler pan, so the fat will not drain off.
How Long Do You Broil Steak?
The cooking time for your broiled steak recipes vary, according to your oven, the cut of steak, how hot the broiler gets, and the cooking altitude. The cooking time can be anything from three to eighteen minutes, so watch the steak.
How to Tell When Steak is Cooked
If it looks done on one side, use tongs to flip it over. Wear oven mitts so you do not burn yourself. If your steak is quite thick you will be able to see from the color of the edges how done the center is. When the edge goes from red to pink to brown, the center is going from rare to medium rare and then medium. Remember that an overcooked steak sizzles sharper and louder than an undercooked one.
Pinch the flesh of the meat between your forefinger and thumb. If it is firm but supple and bounces back, it is medium done. Cut into the thickest part to check, if you want. If it is red inside the meat is rare. If it is pink inside it is medium. If it is brown inside it is well done. Let the steak rest for five minutes before serving it, so the juices can redistribute. This makes it more succulent.
