I love a good steak—but grilling has never really been my job. Someone else always stepped up to be the grill master. And I was okay with that! These days, I’ve been finding my way around the grill and I actually love it—especially when it’s time for a quick, hearty meal. There’s something truly satisfying about a sizzling steak with perfect grill marks. It feels fancy and indulgent, even if it’s a casual occasion. That’s why today, I’m sharing my easy grilled steak recipe—and my handy little temperature guide—to help you serve it up just right. Let’s get cooking!
How to Grill the Perfect Steak, Step by Step
Steak Selection: What Cut Should You Use?
This one’s up to you, but I usually go for boneless strip steaks about 1 inch thick. They’ve got a nice balance of tenderness and flavor with just enough marbling to stay juicy on the grill. Other options? Rib-eyes are packed with flavor thanks to their lovely marbling. Filet mignon is a bit of a leaner option but still super tender and always a treat! Whatever you choose, stick to that 1-inch thickness if you can—it’s much easier to control the level of doneness without overcooking your meat.
How to Prepare a Steak for the Grill: Start at Room Temperature
About 20 to 30 minutes before grilling, take your steaks out of the fridge and let them rest at room temperature. This little step helps the steak cook evenly and reduces the chance of it seizing up on the grill.
Wondering how to season a grilled steak? Keep it simple.
Lightly brush the steaks with avocado or canola oil, and make sure to get both sides. These oils can handle the heat without burning, which is key when grilling at high temps. Then, season liberally with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—and make sure to get both sides!
Make Sure Your Grill is Hot
Crank up that heat! You want your grill nice and hot before the steaks go on. That high heat is what gives your grilled steak its “crust” and helps lock in all those yummy juices.
Let the Steak Rest Before and After Grilling
You already know that before grilling, you’ll let the steak come to room temperature. After your steak comes off the grill, let it rest for 5 minutes under a tent of foil. This keeps the juices where they belong—inside the steak, not on your cutting board.
Use a Meat Thermometer
A good instant-read thermometer is your best friend here. Insert it into the thickest part of the steak (go about halfway through) to check for doneness. Keep reading to find out how done your steak is without any guesswork!
Pro Tip: Steak Temps and Grilling Times
These guidelines are based on a 1-inch thick steak. Remember, the steak will continue to cook 3 to 4 degrees while it rests after coming off the grill. Here’s how long to cook steak for everyone’s palate:
In the end, grilling steak doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right prep, a hot grill, and a little know-how, you can serve up a steakhouse-worthy meal from your own backyard. Your guests are definitely going to be impressed with your skills!
Easy Grilled Steak Recipe
This easy grilled steak recipe gives you juicy, flavorful results with just a few simple steps—you won’t believe how easy it is!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Remove your steaks from the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before you are going to grill them. I place them on a baking sheet so I can brush them later with the oil and season them on both sides.
- Heat your grill to a high heat. Make sure to get that grill nice and hot before you grill. I like to heat the grill around the time I take the steaks out of the refrigerator.
- Using a paper towel, pat the steaks dry. Lightly brush oil on both sides of the steaks, then season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Place the steaks on the hot grill. Cook, covered for 2 minutes. Turn the steaks and cook, covered, for another 2 minutes.
- Now turn the steaks, placing them on a slight diagonal (to get that “cross” look on a finished steak like a restaurant). Cook, covered, for a total cooking time as listed in my grilling tips. Note: A minute before the steaks are done, place a ½-inch slice of the compound butter on each steak (put two slices on if the steaks are large!).
- Remove the steaks from the grill and place them on a cutting board or sheet pan. Tent the steaks with foil and let them rest for 5 minutes. The butter should continue melting on top of the steak as it rests.
