How to Make a Perfectly Cooked Steak Using a Cast Iron Skillet
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Published 2018-07-13
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Recipe for Cast Iron Steaks with Herb Butter: bit.ly/2iUQxvr
To pan-sear a thick-cut steak, we turned to a cast-iron skillet since its heat-retention properties are ideal for a perfect sear. We chose the moderately expensive boneless strip steak for its big, beefy flavor. But when we tried preheating the skillet on the stovetop, cast iron’s uneven heat distribution properties created an equally uneven sear on our steaks. As a result, we ended up preheating the skillet in the oven. To get a perfectly even sear, we used quite a large amount (2 tablespoons) of oil, since this meant that the steaks’ surfaces remained in contact with the heat even as the steaks unevenly contracted during cooking. We started out flipping our steaks only once, halfway through cooking. But we found that flipping the steaks more often led to a shorter cooking time and a smaller gray band of dry, overcooked meat just under the surface of the steaks. After testing different flipping techniques and heating levels, we found that flipping the steaks every 2 minutes and transitioning from medium-high to medium-low heat partway through cooking resulted in a perfectly browned, crisp crust and a juicy, evenly cooked interior every time.
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All Comments (21)
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I typically grill my steaks outside, but one day the weather was bad and I started looking for a different way to cook them. I found this recipe and WOW. Best "indoor" steak I've ever made. Fantastic recipe. Thanks.
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Just made this for dinner tonight, excellent, my new way to cook steak. Thank you
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After the first 2 minutes on each side, I toss some butter in the pan and baste it as I flip it for the remaining flips, spooning butter over the top as it cooks. BEST. STEAK. METHOD. EVER.
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I just made 5 thicker steaks following your recipe (substituted shallots because I did not want to go to the store), and they are INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you!
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Thank you. I'm a big fan of your TV show. 😊
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I guess it's the nature of cooking to tweak someone else's recipe, but I find it odd that people think they can one-up this recipe from the get-go. I made it the way it was shown and had an incredible steak. My guests actually thought I knew how to cook.
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This was so good, they were perfect.
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Thank you, Lan. This is a great recipe. Simple and great steaks. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, trying this tonight.
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I love the look of those two steaks and is getting so hungry even though I just finished eating dinner. One thing I have learned after watching the videos on steaks is to not turn them every minute of two. I have to cook one I have and will be cooking it in the cast iron skillet I have then enjoying it. Thanks so much for sharing this tip with us and I hope you all have a great weekend.
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perfect for indoors!
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Ahhhhhh, THANK YOU. Finally I cooked a steak ON the stove instead of the oven. You taught me well, M'dear! xoxoxo
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These steaks were awesome! Best steaks I have ever made! I usually grill steaks.
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Alternative: heat Skillet until super hot. Sprinkle coarse kosher salt in bottom of pan. Rub coarse ground pepper into steaks. Place steaks in pan. Keep heat on med. high. Let 'em sizzle for 3 or so minutes before turning. Turn and cook on on other side for 3 minutes. For last 30 seconds, add 4 tablespoons butter to pan. Then add 4-5 dashes of Lea and Perrin worcestershire sauce to pan. Remove steaks and enjoy!
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Cool way to do it
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I could go for one right now 😍
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The only thing better would have been to watch the taping live and then gotten a chance to eat the steak. Now I want some steak! For breakfast.
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That looks freaking AMAZING!!!
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I just went to the store today to get skirt steak, but I accidentally said strip. Guy came back with two giant steaks just like these and I shrugged and said what the hell. Then this video shows up at the top of YouTube. How nice. 😊
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I love Lan, she's so scientific
