Steak 101: Choosing and cooking a steak

I have always loved steak, but until about a year ago, I only ever had it once or twice a year when someone else cooked it for me (be it a restaurant or at a friend’s house). I was intimidated by the prospect of trying to select a steak and cook it on my own. I worried that if I ruined it, I was basically burning a $10 bill on the stove – AND leaving myself without dinner.

After doing some research and starting small, I soon learned that I had nothing to worry about. Steak is one of the easiest things to cook at home. And once you get some practice choosing a steak, you will be able to select one at the store with a minimum of pondering.

Image courtesy Flickr/tarale

Choosing A Steak

The problem is, there’s no such thing as “a steak.” There are about a dozen cuts of meat that qualify as “steak.” And when they are all wrapped up in identical foam trays and lined up next to each other on the shelf, it can be extremely difficult to discern the difference between them.

One thing I have noticed is that at most stores, they will separate the cheap steaks from the good ones. Once you identify the area where all the nice steaks are shelved, that helps narrow down your decision. To start with, skim the price tags and locate all of the expensive steaks. A good steak typically starts at about $5/lb (at least in my area) and goes up from there.

With steak, you really do get what you pay for. You can easily select on the basis of price alone. Something between half a pound and a pound, and somewhere around the $10 range is a great starting point.

Eventually you will develop a preference for your favorite of the most common cuts. Personally, I like the boneless top sirloin the best. The bone-in cuts tend to have more flavor, but I find it gross to try and eat around the bone. Tri-tip steak, ribeye, porterhouse, and New York strip steak are all good choices, too.

Image courtesy Flickr/cafemama

Cooking A Steak

When it comes to spices, I’m a minimalist. I like the taste of steak better than I like the taste of any of those sauces or rubs they try to sell you. Salt and pepper is all you really need.

The easiest way to cook a steak is to use a skillet on the stovetop. It’s a two step, one pan process. Easy as can be!

Before you start cooking your steak, you should decide how you want it done. “Medium rare” is one of the most common ways people order their steak. But it’s your steak – you can have it rare or well done, or anything in between.

There are a lot of guides that tell you how to poke the meat to tell its level of doneness. I’ll be honest with you, I have a tough time with that kind of thing. Instead, I strongly recommend using a meat thermometer.

A meat thermometer will let you ensure that your steak is cooked exactly to your specs, without any extra anxiety or fuss. Just choose the level of doneness, and find the corresponding temperature on a chart like this one. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak, and you’re good to go.

The easiest way to cook steak is in a skillet. Add a splash of oil, and pre-heat the skillet to medium. You want it hot enough that water sizzles on the skillet but not so hot that the oil smokes.

Put the steak on the skillet (no thermometer at this point) and cook it for about 5 minutes, long enough for that side to brown. While it’s cooking, grind some salt and pepper over the top side.

When it’s time, flip the steak. Now insert the meat thermometer. For most cuts, it will take about 5-7 minutes for your steak to come up to temperature. Grind a little more salt and pepper on top of it while you’re waiting.

Main image courtesy Flickr/citymama