What Is The Best Grill Temperature For Steaks
The best temperature to grill a steak is between the range of 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. You should preheat the grill for up to ten minutes and make sure it reaches the above temperature before you place the meat on it.
Moreover, factors like the thickness of the steak and the type of steak will influence the grill temperature. The thinner the steak, the higher the grill temperature the thicker the steak, the lower the grill temperature.
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Grilling Steak Why You Need To Do It
Steaks on the grill really is the bees knees. Theyre juicy, tender, and that charred flavor on the outside you just cant beat it!
Our sous vide steak is one of my favorite things to grill, but I realize that not everyone has a sous vide, so we thought wed come up with a much simpler, marinated grilled steak recipe.
Push The Probe Tip Past Center & Pull Back Through The Steak
Properly understood, finding the current temperature of a steak means finding the temperature of the thermal center of that steak. While some chefs recommend inserting the probe from the side, we find that the easiest way to find the temperature of the center of a steak is to insert the thermometer probe tip into the steak from the top, avoiding bone.
Push the Thermapen probe tip past where you think the center of the steak is
and then pull the Thermapen probe tip back through the steak until you find the coolest temperature reading. This will be the steaks thermal centerthe coolest temperature in the center of the steak.
For example, if you push your probe tip past the center of the steak and see 136°F on the Thermapen display, and then, as you pull the probe tip back through the steak, you see 128°F , 123°F , and 127°F you know that the temperature at the thermal center of that steak is the lowest reading: 123°F .
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Common Grilling Steak Times
So, how long do you cook steak on the grill? That answer largely depends on the thickness of the meat youre cooking. You can cook thin or thick cuts on the grill just fine, but youll definitely want to alter your times to cook your desired cuts to the right doneness, which, again, is a matter of preference.
One good tip to keep in mind is to use a meat thermometer for thick cuts of steak and a timer for thin ones. A steak thats ¾ of an inch thick or less may be difficult to get an accurate temperature reading from, so a timer can help. But a meat thermometer can give you a more precise idea of the doneness of your steak to make sure its right.
For a medium-rare doneness, you typically will need to grill your steak between 4 to 6 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. For medium cooks, shoot for closer to 5 to 8 minutes on each side. Its always best, though, to start with the lower grilling steak time and check with your finger to see if it might need a bit more time, instead of allowing it to cook for a couple of extra minutes. You can always cook it a bit longer if required, but you cant get back tenderness you lose from overcooking.
When you touch the center of your steaks, a medium rare cook will spring back slightly, yet still feel squishy. A medium cook will be more springy than squishy. If all else fails, you can always cut a small slit in the center of your steak to check its color, but this should only be used as a last resort.
How To Grill Strip Steak

Serving up a New York strip steak might sound fancy, but it’s simpler than you think. Try serving your juicy grilled steak with compound butter or with a squeeze of lemon for a hearty meal. Follow these instructions for grilling:
- For a charcoal grill: Grill steaks on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals to desired doneness, turning once halfway through grilling. Allow 10 to 12 minutes for medium rare or 12 to 15 minutes for medium doneness .
- For a gas grill: Preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place steaks on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as directed above.
- Transfer the meat to a platter. Cover with foil and allow the steak to stand 5 minutes before serving.
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Cooking Steak In The Oven
What temperature to cook steak in oven? Its one of the frequently asked questions. First of all, we must say that its not the easiest method of dealing with the heat to meet the preferred level of doneness.
You must consider the desired doneness, thickness, size of the steak, and importantly the temperature before you opt for an oven to cook steak. We would say cooking steak in an oven is purely a balancing act, and the following chart will help you minimize the errors while implementing the task.
Doneness |
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155°F + |
How Hot Should A Grill Be For Steak
- Post published:September 12, 2021
- Post category:Food Preparation & Storage/Meat, Fish, & Dairy
No other grill food compares to a perfectly grilled steak. It may seem easy enough to cook a piece of meat, but simply cooking a steak does not ensure that the steak will be tender or juicy. Most people can agree that the goal for a perfectly cooked steak is brown outside and juicy inside. We have searched multiple sources to bring you some of the best tips and tricks around to ensure the perfect finished product.
The best temperature to grill the perfect steak is about 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Many factors contribute to ending up with the perfect steak. From preparing your meat to what to do with it when it comes off the grill, every step of this process is equally as important as the next.
Some of the considerations that we will discuss in further detail are:
- Meat preparation
- Monitor time and temperature
- Resting your steak
While the temperature of your grill plays an important role in the outcome of your steak, it is only a part of the equation. You may find yourself questioning whether to close the grill lid, whether to grill over direct or indirect heat, how long to sear your steak, or how many times to flip your steak. We will address all of these points in more detail and discuss other closely related topics, just keep reading.
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How Do I Grill The Perfect Steak
Step 1: Bring steak to room temperature, season steak and preheat grill
To begin, about 30 minutes prior to grilling, remove steak from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature. Then, ten minutes prior to grilling, preheat your grill to high heat. I turn on all burners to get my grill as hot as possible.
Next, five minutes prior to grilling, pat the steak dry with a paper towel and brush the top and bottom with a very light coating of oil, season liberally with salt and pepper. For seasoning, a good rule of thumb is to use at least 1 tsp of salt per lb of steak.
Step 2: Grill steak
Once the grill is very hot, between 450-500F, place the steak on the grill. Then, sear the steak on both sides for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Some thinner steaks may be fully cooked after those 5 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a thermometer .
If steak is not yet cooked to your desired temperature, reduce the heat of two grill burners to as low as they go, but keep two burners on high and move the steak to the low heat. Then, keep the steak on the low heat in a closed grill until the steak reaches your desired internal temperature .
Step 3: Rest steak and slice
Finally, remove the steak from the grill and allow to rest on a plate or cutting board for 10 minutes prior to slicing âthis is a very important step. Slice your steak and enjoy!
Step 4: Enjoy!
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Grilled Steak Internal Temperature
The best way to know if your steak is done is by measuring the internal temperature. Everyone likes to eat their steak slightly differently. Some like it well-done and some like it medium rare. So, below you will find internal temperatures corresponding to doneness.
- 165ºF well-done
Remember to always let your steak rest for at least 5 minutes after they finish cooking so they can continue to rise in temperature by 5ºF.
Myth #: Intensely High Heat Is Needed To Sear Steak
The searing process begins at temperatures as low as 300°F, and the effective searing range is about 300°F to 500°F. Searing at temperatures beyond 500°F can dry out food excessively fast, and usually result in disappointing, burnt food.
Searing can happen while your grill is at any temperature, as long as youve followed the number one rule of grilling Always preheat your grill! No mater what youre grilling, the first step is always to preheat your grill on high with the lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes. There are two major reasons this step is important for searing.
First, this will burn off old food so you can brush the cooking grates clean. Dirty cooking grates dont sear new food they just continue to burn the old food.
Second, while the temperature inside your grill can be anywhere from 300°F to 500°F while youre searing your steak, the cooking grates themselves must be at least 500°F to 550°F to create sear marks. Preheat your grill to get the cooking grates to the correct temperature and then adjust your grill to the appropriate temperature before you put your food on.
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What Are The Benefits Of Eating A Grilled Steak
Grilling is a cooking method that involves dry heat and radiant heat. Grilled food is usually cooked with a barbecue grill, under an open flame, or over an open fire.
The benefits of eating grilled steak are the following:
Grilled steak is one of the best sources of iron. Iron helps in keeping our blood healthy and ensuring that it carries oxygen to all parts of our body.
It also contains high amounts -quality protein which helps in muscle development and growth.
Eating grilled meat can help you lose weight as it contains less fat than other types of meat such as pork or beef.
It also contains B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin which are essential for metabolism and energy production.
Setting The Temperature To Grill Steak On A Gas Grill

Judging how well a steak is done only by its cooking time is a common mistake. The temperature to grill a steak varies according to the steaks size and thickness, type, and shape of the cut .
To ensure you prepare a perfect BBQ steak, here are the necessary temperature settings to grill your steak on a gas grill. Generally the thicker the steak, the lower the temperature you need to grill a steak.
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Here Are Instructions For A Great Grilled Steak:
1. Preheat your grill with all of the burners on high or the dampers open and the lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Remove your steaks from the fridge, season them, and allow them to come up to room temperature while your grill is preheating. A room temperature steak will cook faster than a cold one will, and less cooking time means less time to dry out. Additionally, a cold steak will contract more when you put it on the grill, pushing more of the juices out.
3. Brush your cooking grates clean and adjust your grill for direct, high heat. The best temperature for steaks is 450°F to 500°F.
4. Put your steaks on the grill, close the lid, and set your timer for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak.
5. Flip your steaks to a new area of the cooking grate. Theyve already absorbed the heat from the area of the cooking grate they were placed on first. Putting them somewhere new ensures that the cooking grate is still hot enough to create those beautiful sear marks.
Close the lid and set your timer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.**
6. Test your steak for doneness.
7. Once your steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 30% to 40% of the total time on the grill.
8. Enjoy!
**A thicker steak will require a longer cooking time. If thats the case, follow steps 1-5 to sear, and then move your steaks to an indirect zone to finish them. This will prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked.
Verify Your Readings In Multiple Places
As you get closer to the target pull temperature for your desired doneness , youll want to verify the thermal center temperature of the steak in a couple of different places. Typically, the steak will be hotter near the ends, but you may find a lower number as you check your steak in different places. Remember, the lowest number you find is the best indication of the internal doneness of that steak.
Note: Sometimes people ask if they shouldnt avoid probing a steak multiple times for fear of letting all the juices out. Steaks are not like water balloons. The water in the steak is bound up in the cells of the muscle fibers. You may lose a tiny amount of steak juice from probing a steak but that amount pales in comparison to the amount of water you will lose from overcooking your steak by even five degrees. Probe fearlessly and have perfectly done juicy steaks every time!
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How To Grill Steak Perfectly Every Time
Learn how to grill steak perfectly every single time with this easy to follow recipe where steak is seared on a hot grill and cooked to perfection. Grilling steak doesnt have to be complicated!
Learn how to grill steak perfectly every single time with this easy to follow recipe where steak is seared on a hot grill and cooked to perfection. Grilling steak doesnt have to be complicated!
How Long Should You Grill Steaks
The cooking time for steaks varies with your desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steak. Also, you should flip the steak just once, and when it is halfway through its grilling time.
- Cook a rare steak for 6 to 8 minutes, 3 to 4 minutes per side
- For a medium steak, grill for 7 to 10 minutes, 3.5 to 5 minutes on each side
- Grill a medium steak for 10 to 12 minutes, 5 to 6 minutes on each side
- Cook a medium-well steak for 12 to 15 minutes, 6 to 7.5 minutes per side
- For a well-done steak, grill the meat for 15 to 18 minutes, 7 to 8 minutes per side
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Grill Times And Temperature For Steak
- Rare: 120 to 130 F 5 then 3 minutes per side pull off the grill at max 125 F
- Medium-Rare: 130 to 135 F 5 then 4 minutes per side pull off the grill at max 130 F
- Medium: 140 to 150 F 6 then 4 minutes per side pull off the grill at max 145 F
- Medium-Well: 155 to 165 F 7 then 5 minutes per side pull off the grill at max 160 F
- Well-Done: 170 F or more 12 then 10 minutes per side pull off the grill at max 165 F
How To Tell A Steak Is Ideal For Grilling
When picking the best cut of meat for grilling here are the things to keep in mind.
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