Best way to cook a steak without a BBQ?

[Corrie]

I'm getting all my ducks in a row for when I move to my new place. Already saw the crockpot thread and I have one picked out and ready to order. That covers me on the roasts and big cuts of meat.

What should I do about cooking steak though? I likely won't have a BBQ or access to one.

So let's hear it. What's your favourite way to cook a steak when you can't get to an outdoor grill?

[mwhities]

Cast iron skillet, hot as you can on the stove...

Dress the steak with salt and pepper to your liking.

Turn your oven on to 450.

Slap the steak on the cast iron for 1-2 minutes on each side.

Take the steak off the cast iron, let it rest.

About 5 minutes (+-) later, slap the steak back on the cast iron and put it in the over for 5 minutes (+-).

Add or subtract time for how done you'd like for your steak.

Take the steak off the cast iron and rest for 5 minutes (+-).

Best. Steak. Ever.

[JM3]

sear it on a skillet 90 seconds each side before popping it in the oven.

-edit- damn whities- thats an excellent tip. I never let mine rest between skillet and oven.

[Corrie]

Damn that sounds good, so simple too. I always end up overcooking steaks.

Thanks guys, that was much easier than expected!

[jwhal]

Where was this damn thread last night when I needed it?

[jkw]

I find a pat of butter on top during the final rest period is a welcome addition

[Jamie J. Skibicki]

In bacon grease on medium high, about 4 minutes per side.

If it's flank, cast iron, high heat, bacon grease, 3 minutes per side.

[JC]

Why are you guys putting it in the oven, why not just fry then eat, what does it do?

[tnumrych]

Pan roasting does amazing things to how a cut of meat tastes.

[Michele Knaub]

I eat steak at least twice a week, and I never put it in the oven.

I use the superhot cast iron pan method.

1. Take meat out, let it come to room temp if you have time. Dry it off, salt and pepper one side.

2. Make cast iron pan super hot by heating it over med-high heat. Drops of water should sizzle loudly.

3. Put the salted side of the meat down, and don't touch it until it stops sticking to the pan.

4. Flip. Salt and pepper the naked side up.

5. Cook it until that side releases, too.

6. Remove to a plate, cover and let rest 5-10 min.


A really super thick steak might not cook past really rare without burning on the outside using this method, but I only encounter that very occasionally. Turning my oven on in the summer is just not an option (plus it takes 30 min + to warm up.)