Love the idea of grilling, but think it’s too complicated? We’re sharing the basics you need to get your grill on with our Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak!
Thank you to Market Street for helping all of us girls (and guys) get our grill on with this sponsored post.
Isn’t it funny that so many mamas take on the world (literally) every day, but when it comes to grilling think it’s too hard or should be left to the guys?
Just answer me this: Do you like the idea of biting into a juicy, sizzling steak? Do you like to entertain? Want to make a special meal for your special someone? Then you need to know how to grill a steak.
…But don’t worry, it’s not near as hard as you think it is. Now don’t get me wrong, grilling is just as much an art and a science as it is skill. I have the utmost for those that have mastered it, but we don’t have to be the best to have a really good steak dinner. And before you get any further down, here’s your real disclaimer: Grilling is subjective and everyone does it different.
However, we’re gonna give you the absolute basics to get your first steak from purchase to plate without much work, hassle, or slaving over a grill for hours. (Besides, who has time for that!)
Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak
1) It’s all in the meat.
No matter what marinade you use, what you cook it on, or what you pair with it, you need to pick a great piece of steak. I honestly didn’t have a clue except that there was steak and there was hamburger meat. So off to Market Street I went to figure it all out when the butcher came out to help me (he must have seen the scare in my eyes!) He explained the cuts of meat so I knew what I was looking at and how best to cook it.
There are three basic classes you should know when it comes to your beef: Prime (best), Choice (better) and Select (good.)
When it comes to flavor, it’s all in the marbling or the little white flecks in beef – is key to flavor. The higher the amount of marbling, the higher the quality of beef.
When it comes to the meat, Rancher’s Reserve is always a great choice with 100% Angus beef that is juicy, tender and full of flavor.
Now for the fun stuff, the cuts! These four steaks all come from the same general area of the cow – the short loin, tenderloin, and the ribs.
TENDERLOIN // aka filet mignon / Boneless cut from the short loin and sirloin. / Most tender and most expensive cut of steak.
T-BONE // aka Porterhouse / Bone in cross section of the unfilleted short loin with combo of f tenderloin and NY strip. / Great taste but difficult to cook with two different cuts.
NY STRIP // Boneless & sometimes bone-in short loin behind the ribs. / Fine grained texture with some marbling.
RIBEYE // aka Delmonico /Boneless & bone-in cut from the rib cage. / Lots of marbling and fat pockets for the juiciest flavor.
The Ribeye is by far the best choice for new grillers. It’s more tender than the other cuts of beef and has lots of marbling, which means lots of juicy flavor!
When it comes to the cut, you’ll want to aim for 1 1/4 inch – 1 1/2 inch cut.
Don’t see any in the case? Then ask your butcher to assist you! Market Street will cut it to your specifications!
2) Season and Sit it Out.
Alrighty…this is where there are all kinds of opinions on the best way to make your steak taste perfect. What you put on it, how long you let it sit on the steak and how long you choose to put the steak in the fridge or at room temperatures varies as much as there are different opinions on how best to soothe a crying baby. There’s been tons of research, experiments, and lots of hot-headed opinions but for this first-timer’s steak: we’re keeping it basic. You’ll find your own way after you do it for the first time.
Take your steak out of the fridge at least thirty minutes before you plan to cook your steak. Pat your steak with a paper towel.
Add LOTS of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to both sides (it’s going to seem excessive, but this will add the simple seasoning your steak needs. (Put it in your palm and let it fly!)
Let the steak sit at room temperature for around half an hour.
3) Get your Grill Going.
The biggest question here is: How are you planning to cook this thing!
Gas: By far the easiest way way to grill is on a gas grill. Turn on the tank, turn the burner, ignite, and close the lid for around 10 minutes when the grill hits around 425-450 degrees. Now you’re ready to roll!
Is it time to cook? Hold your hand about about four to six inches above the grill grate, palm down. If you can hold it one to three seconds before you need to pull your hand away, you’re at high heat.
Charcoal: Yes, you’re going to have to light it up! Starting with a clean grill like this one, lay your self-starting charcoal (it has lighter fluid in the briquettes so you don’t have to deal with it) in a grid pattern. Then light each corner and let it go! Close the grill and either using a thermometer or the hand method (see above), wait until the charcoal has lost its flame and beginning to turn gray.
Pan-fry: It never seems to fail that you make plans to grill and Mother Nature makes another plan! When you’re in a rush or weather doesn’t permit outdoor grilling, go with the iron skillet! Just put it on high and let it go (I also like to add a little oil and butter to the pan for even more flavor!)
4) Let’s Get Cooking.
Alright, Alright, Alright! We’ve reached the big show!
If you’re making your steaks on the grill, then you’re going to wait to cook your steaks until they get to your specific level of doneness.
Rare // 120 degrees Medium Rare // 130 degrees Medium // 140 degrees
Medium Well // 150 degrees Well Done // 160 degrees
You can also use the finger test, but this isn’t always accurate as using this.
5) Dinner is Done.
To cut or to sit out, that is the question! One of the biggest controversies (yes, it’s that big of a deal) is whether you need to let your steak sit before serving. While there is all kinds of rationales for why you should and why you shouldn’t, but for me it’s simple: If you wait about 5 minutes after you take it off the heat, there’s less juice therefore less mess. So that’s my win-win.
Now let’s eat!
This is great! Everyone should know how to grill a steak. A poorly grille steak is a Greek tragedy.
Thank you for this post. I have honestly never grilled a steak on the BBQ!
You have got my mouthwatering just by looking at this. I love steak in the best way to eat it is off the grill. I love the guy to have here and I will be using it the next time I grill.
I love a nice big juicy steak. I usually leave the grilling to my husband but he is going to be away until mid-August so this is great to know.
I finally learned how to master the grill this year myself. I think it is so empowering to be able to grill without my husband.
Those are some great tips! For some reason the grill intimidates me so my husband does all our grilling!
You would think grilling a steak is easy, but it’s actually not, to get it just the right level of “done” for different household members. This is a great how to guide.
This is a great guide to grilling. I love to grill even in the Winter. You just can not beat the taste.
This is Really helpful. Thanks for all the grilling tips.
I need to make a name for myself in front of the grill. I normally pass along the grilling, but this makes it seem easy enough.
Great tips! We grill steaks all of the time during the summer months. You can’t go wrong with a good steak.
I do not know how to pick meat at all. Appreciate the little cheat shit and OMG – these pictures are delicious!
This looks really good! I love our tips here! Will definitely try this for our next grilling!
My husband usually mans the grill, but I need to learn! I would love to be able to cook by myself!
My husband usually grills, but I think I need to give it a try. Medium rare ribeye – YUM!
Thank you for the tips!
I love a steak perfectly seasoned and topped with sauteed mushrooms!
These are great tips. I love a little marinade on mine then grilled but not overdone.
I love a steak done a perfect medium rare with some garlic butter.
Medium rare, preferably with a lobster tail sitting alongside it.
The best is medium rare with blue cheese butter.
The best steaks are done on the BBQ! Must be medium rare, I prefer ribeyes.
Market Street is my favorite grocery store, but I wish there was one closer to my home!
We like our steak grilled with paprika seasoning.
I like mine bloody as possible. We get great cuts of steak on sale fairly regularly, My husband makes an amazing gravy from the pan drippings and with some potatoes, omnomnom.
Yum! I love a great steak right off the grill, medium rare is perfect for me!
Broiled steak with butter and mushrooms is the best.
The best way to have a steak is prepared by my wonderful boyfriend. It always tastes so perfect. I wish he’d become a chef!
I like medium rare on a hot grill smoother with mushroom.
I enjoyed reading your blog. I think the best way to have a steak is grilling it and serving it well done.
The best way to have a steak is grilled to medium, smothered in a pepper sauce and with a side of bacon mac and cheese!
Grilled to medium with grilled fresh veggies.
The grill is definitely the best way to cook a steak! I like both gas and charcoal, but I grew up using a charcoal grill so that’s my preference! 🙂
I like my steak on the grill with lots of mushrooms and onions on top!
Grilled steak with onions on top and mac & cheese as a side is my favorite.
Medium rare with garlic butter – cooked by my friend the BBQ queen.
Thanks for the contest.
I love all of my meat done medium-well, including steak!
encrusted in peppercorn and grilled to a perfect medium well with a small amount of A1
We grill on a low and slow setting. I love a juicy steak and this seems to work for us.
the best way to have a steak medium with still red in it but and with mashed potatoes
On the grill.
I like steak grilled with potatoes and corn.
Medium rare, with mushrooms and onions on top. With grilled corn and baked potao with all the toppings. 🙂
I love my steak medium rare and my son puts real butter on them makes them taste so good .
A broiled steak with a baked potato is heaven
Medium rare on the egg
We like to grill steaks and eat with rice and beans.
Wrapped in bacon on the grill!
Medium with tons of mushrooms and a good sauce!
cooked well done with a loaded baked potato
With pineapple sauce and served with corn salad!
I like my steak medium well.
Well done, cooked on the grill, with A1 Sauce is the best!
I like it well done.
I like mine medium well. Thanks for tips.
I love my steak marinated and grilled.
I am obsessed with summer grilling and steak is the BEST iin the grill. we always try to have steak and chicken on the grill once a week when my in laws come over!
the best way to have steak is grilled!
I love stir fried steak with veggies.
With alot of steak seasoning and butter, medium rare.
I am all about medium rare steak! YUM!
I like my steak rare with mushrooms — baked potato w/sour cream on the side.
Mmm…marinated and grilled. Or steak and onion pie!
The best way to have a steak is chicken fried with mashed potatoes and country gravy.
on the grill , marinated the night before
I don’t like covering up the steak with sauces, so my favorite is a grilled steak with just a few spices and medium rare.
THE BEST WAY TO HAVE STEAK IS WELL DONE WITH A BAKED POTATO!
My husband LOVES it with slathered in butter with onion/garlic powder and salt and pepper.