Here’s How To Cook Steaks On The Stovetop like a restaurant! They are tender and juicy with a delicious crust. Save money and make fabulous steaks at home.
I think my all time favorite food is steak (even more than chocolate!) so I had to figure out how to make steaks. We love steak cooked this way so much that when we go out to eat my daughter will often comment, “These (restaurant cooked) steaks are fine but not as good as yours!”
What we want is a juicy, tender steak with flavor and a crust on the outside. Cooking steaks on the stovetop gives us all of these things!
What Kind Of Steak Should I Buy
Our favorite steak to fry in a pan is the New York Strip Steak also know as Strip Steak or Kansas City Strip Steak. A New York Strip Steak is tender but still has some chewy texture, and is boneless with a good amount of marbling (fat running throughout for flavor and moisture) without having large pockets of fat.
Look for a thick New York Strip that is flat and fairly even in size on both ends. It typically costs $12-15 per pound in our area.
Why Bring Steaks To Room Temperature
Before starting to cook the steaks, allow them to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This will lessen the difference in temperature between the hot pan and the steak and allow for juicier, more evenly cooked steaks.
Since the temperature of the steak starting out is higher it means that it will take less time to reach the internal temperature you desire, and that means there is less time for the steak to lose moisture. This same method applies when cooking them on the grill.
How To Cook Steaks On The Stovetop
After allowing the steaks to come to room temperature, heat a heavy-duty skillet (or a cast iron) over high heat until the pan is very hot and starts to smoke.
While the skillet is heating, drizzle olive oil on the steaks on sprinkle them with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Once the pan is hot, use tongs to carefully add the steaks. Do not crowd the steaks in the pan. If you have a small skillet, you may have to cook them one at a time.
Gently press on the steaks with tongs (you don’t want to press hard and squeeze the juices out) to make sure the bottom is in full contact with the pan and that the steaks get the best crust.
Use the tongs to flip the steaks over every minute and again, gently press on the top so that the bottom comes in contact with the pan.
During one of the flips, you can also use the tongs to stand the steaks on end to cook the fat.
During the final two minutes of cooking the steaks, top them with garlic butter before flipping them over for the final minute of cooking. Add additional garlic butter to each steak.
Time For Cooking Steak
The length of time for cooking steak depends on how thick the steaks are and how you want them cooked. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature. For medium rare, the temperature should be 130˚F, 140˚F for medium and 160˚F for well done.
We cook a thick New York Strip Steak for 7-9 minutes total to get medium cooked steaks. For rare, it would be 5-7 minutes and for well done, it would take 10-12 minutes.
Transfer the steaks to a platter or plates. Pour the pan drippings over the steaks for extra flavor. Then, allow the steaks to rest for five minutes before serving.
What To Serve With Steak
Wondering what to serve with steaks? Try one of the following recipes.
How To Cook Steaks On The Stovetop
Video
Ingredients
- 2 New York Strip Steaks
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon parsley
Instructions
- Remove steaks from fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
- Mix together the butter, minced garlic, and parsley in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat a heavy-duty skillet (or cast iron skillet) over high heat until it is very hot and starts to smoke.
- While waiting for the skillet to heat, drizzle both sides of the steaks with olive oil and sprinkle them with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Once the pan is ready, use tongs to carefully add the steaks. Gently press on the steaks with tongs to make sure the bottom is in full contact with the pan.
- Cook for 7-9 minutes for medium, turning every minute. During the final two minutes of cooking the steaks, top them with some of the garlic butter before flipping them over for the final minute of cooking. Add additional garlic butter to the top of each steak. You can use the tongs stand the steaks on end to cook the sides and fat during one of the turns.
- Transfer the steaks to a platter or to plates. Pour the pan drippings over the steaks and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Rhonda says
Steaks turned out great!
Yvonne says
How do keep your smoke detector from going off. I’m cooking them turning them every minute and my grown son is running around telling me I’m burning the house down all the while the smoke detector is going off.
Tonia says
I use my hood vent and open a window if needed.
Vespasian says
Here’s how I cook a thick steak: heat the pan up to medium heat, lubricate the pan with butter (I just use PAM), season a side of the meat and toss it in (I use Lowry’s Seasoned Salt), seasoned side down. Shake the pan a little bit to help keep the steak from adhering to the pan. Cook the thick steak for about 8 minutes, season the up side then turn it over, and cook it on the other side for 8 minutes. Perfect crust and medium. The fat is usually the most delicious part when it’s well browned (blackened, actually).
Yum.
Jean says
Want to ask a question – do I need to wash the meat in running water from it’s packaging before drying it off it’s moisture .
Tonia says
No, you do not need to wash it after removing it from the package.
Millican Pecan says
This is just what I was looking for! I am shy about cooking steak on the stove top and don’t trust the outcome, because I’ve tried and it hasn’t turned out. I’m going to give this a try…the spices look like a perfect blend, and your instructions thorough. My husband, Robert @ MillicanPecan will be so happy, he won’t even have to get out the grill! Thank you!
Rose Mary George says
I made this steak last night on stove top and it was awesome! Thanks for the recipe!
Tonia says
Fabulous! You are very welcome!
Hazel Adams says
I really love the idea of putting different spices on steak. I think that is what makes it taste so good. I am excited to try this with my new gril.
Charlotte says
This is nice. Kids can help in the kitchen. My kids are always playing in the backyard. Your tip is very helpful. Thank you. I’m sure they will help me with this especially we will cook steak, they love steak. I will save your recipe and the 10 ways kids can help in the kitchen.
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
This is so useful, and that salad looks AMAZING!
Liz says
Thank you Tonia. Have a great Monday!
Connie | URBAN BAKES says
This is such a helpful post and you sure do know what you’re doing with steaks. Yours looks mouthwateringly perfect!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
You had me at STEAK. We love searing steaks on the grill and the skillet! My 3-year-old loves to help me in the kitchen! Her favorite task is cracking eggs! ;/
Lisa @ Wine & Glue says
I just forwarded this post to my husband! We have been talking about how we need to learn how to properly cook a steak because we are craving them but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to eat them out. Done and done. Thanks Tonia! Pinned for sure!
Annie @Maebells says
Such a great tutorial! I always make my husband cook the steak because I never do it right!