It’s always the season for perfect grilled steak, but the summer season in the Algarve is a steak lover’s dream🤤 . A perfectly-cooked steak is the pinnacle of achievement in the grilling world. They’re juicy, tender, and have that charred flavour on the outside. You just can’t beat it! But it’s an easy thing to mess up if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Grilling steak requires many of the same skills you use for grilling other types of food like chicken, lamb, or pig. But there are some tips and tricks that could help you create the perfect grilled steak, and you’ll find them in this article. Therefore, it’s time to sharpen your skills and up your grilling game with our best tips for grilling the perfect steak.
Light up your grill, put on your best apron, and read on!
Start with a clean grill
As the days start getting warmer, the lure of cooking outdoors and dining alfresco becomes stronger. When this happens, you know it’s time to clean the grill.
🔥#ProTip: Always remember to keep your equipment clean! Old residues on your grill are not the ingredient you want to help flavour your food; plus, it just isn’t safe or hygienic. Frequently, a dirty grill can lead to build-up on the grate, causing flare-ups and smoking. A clean grill will help you cook the perfect grilled steak.
Preparing and seasoning
Firstly, take the meat out of the refrigerator and sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will produce a juicier and more evenly perfect grilled steak. Then, dab the steak with a paper towel to remove any juices that could prevent them from searing correctly on the grill.
Seasoning for grilling the perfect steak should be simple. Brush a small amount of olive oil on both sides of the steak to prevent sticking on the grill. Then, sprinkle each side with salt and pepper or your favourite steak seasoning. If you’re looking to enjoy a good cut of steak, the flavour will be all there in the meat—no need to add anything more.
Salt enhances steak’s meaty flavours, and it tenderises the meat helping create that caramelised outer crust. The tiny beads of moisture that form on the surface of the steak, once seasoned, will dissolve the salt into the meat and tenderise the muscle fibres. Tasty and tender meat every time!
Learn cooking times
As the old saying goes, timing is everything. It’s never truer than when you’re trying to pull off the perfect grilled steak. Learning the right cooking times and heat for grilling each meal correctly it’s a must!
You’ve already tenderised the meat, but there is more to do! The next thing to consider is temperature. Preheat your grill to 230ºC (450ºF) for ten minutes before cooking. Sear steaks for 3 minutes per side until slightly charred and golden brown. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking with the lid closed until the steaks reach the desired level of doneness.
How many times should you flip a steak on the grill? The steak should only be flipped one time. If you’re pulling or struggling with the meat, the steak is not ready to move. You can always keep the steaks for a minute or two longer if they don’t look done enough.
Remember to use tongs when moving your steaks around the grill. Forks pierce the meat, losing all that delicious juice and flavour. Because of its versatility and grip, we recommend this set.
Let that perfect steak rest
Is it important to let the steaks rest? If you want a perfect grilled steak, then the answer is yes. This is one of the most important tips of all. Most people don’t know that resting the meat is the secret to a juicy steak.
We know you can’t wait to devour your creation, but be patient! Once your perfect grilled steak is cooked, it’s essential to let it rest. When steak cooks, the muscle fibres tighten. If you cut into those tight muscle fibres as soon as it’s off the heat, all the juices run out. A 5-10 minute rest allows the muscles to relax and release their juices evenly into the meat.
Loosely cover the steak with aluminium foil to keep it warm while resting. You can use the time to set the table or get your friends a beer. Trust us, let it rest a few minutes, and your steak will turn out perfect!
Slice against the grain
After resting, your steak is ready to be cut. The perfect grilled steak should always be sliced against the grain, perpendicular, with a sharp knife. Cutting against the grain ensures a tender bite.
By cutting against the grain, you need to cut through the fibres and shorten them rather than cut in the same direction that they run. This makes it easier to chew through since a lot of the hard work of breaking up the muscle fibres has already been done for you.
Armed with these steak grilling tips, you’ll be well on your way to the best cookout you’ve ever had. Eat that perfectly cooked masterpiece and pat yourself on the back! You deserve it.
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