How to Grill the Perfect Steak Every Time

 

Grilling is the perfect way to add some smoky flavor and a great texture to your steak. But it’s also a process that can go wrong very easily.

Cooking steaks on the grill requires the right balance of heat, time, and moisture to get them caramelized on the outside and perfectly juicy on the inside.

If you’ve ever tried grilling a steak and ended up with something dry or leathery, you know how easy it is to mess up this seemingly simple process. That’s because so many little factors come into play when grilling beef.

We all have our own personal preferences regarding how we like our steaks prepared, but there are a few universal principles that apply no matter what cut or style of steak you prefer.

Understanding these principles will help you make sure every piece of meat you put on the grill is perfectly cooked.

How to Grill Steak: Know Your Cuts

The first step to grilling a great steak is knowing which cuts suit the grill best.

A few different types of beef make excellent steaks for grilling.

Top Sirloin Steak - This is one of the most common cuts for grilling, and for a good reason. It’s a thicker cut of meat with a nice balance of fat marbled through the meat. This helps to keep the steak moist while it cooks.

New York Strip Loin Steak - This is another standard steak cut often used for grilling. It’s also a thicker cut of meat, which is perfect for the grill.

Rib Eye Steak - A bone-in rib eye is an excellent choice for the grill. It’s a very flavorful cut of meat, but it can be a bit more expensive than some other options.

The Right Tool for the Job

You can use a few different tools for grilling steaks, but not all of these are equally effective. If you’re going to be grilling steaks regularly, it’s a good idea to invest in a grill with a built-in cooking grate.

Grill Grates - To ensure even cooking across the entire surface of your steak, a grill grate is the best option. A standard grilling grate will allow the heat to flow freely across the entire surface of the meat, keeping everything evenly cooked.

Here is a grill grate option - make sure to find one that fits your grill!

Griddle - If you’re going to be grilling lots of steaks, a large griddle on your grill is a wonderful way to cook them all at once. A griddle is not ideal if you’re looking for a grill that can be used to cook a wide variety of foods.

Here is a preseasoned cast iron griddle option for your grill.

Prepare the Meat Beforehand

Before grilling your steak, it’s good to give it a quick brine. This process is easy, and it will help add even more moisture to your steak as it cooks.

To brine your steak, you’ll need a mixture of water and salt. You should use 1 cup of water for every 1/2 cup of salt.

Dissolve the salt in the water, then put the steak in a large plastic bag, pouring the salt water over the top. Seal the bag and let the steak brine in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Alternatively, you can marinate your steaks before cooking them. This process is similar to brining, though it typically uses a combination of oil and liquid (with some added spices) as the base.

Dale's Steak Seasoning is a delicious option! It's also gluten-free.

Use the Right Temperature

As with any type of cooking, it’s crucial to monitor the heat level on the grill at all times.

If your grill is too doused with flames, it won’t be able to thoroughly cook the meat. If your grill is not hot enough, the meat will take too long to cook and risk becoming tough or even turning into a jerky-like consistency.

A good rule of thumb is that the grill should be hot enough to generate plenty of smoke. You don’t want the flames to be so high that they are blowing the smoke away, but you also don’t want them so low that they’re barely producing any smoke.

If your grill is gas-powered, it’s good to keep an eye on the dial to make sure it isn’t too hot.

Conclusion

While grilling steak can be a delicious and easy way to enjoy a meal, it can also be tricky.

Steak is delicate meat that requires a specific cooking process to make sure it’s cooked to a perfect internal temperature and texture.

Once you master these primary principles and use them as a guide as you’re cooking, you’ll be grilling steak like a pro in no time.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I will earn money if you buy something using these links, but you are under no obligation to buy anything.