How to Cook a Steak on the Stove Top

Cook steak on the stove in just a few minutes.

Cooking a steak on the stove top can be tricky business. But if it's too rainy to grill, you don't have a grill, or you just want to relax indoors, it can be a valuable skill to have. As you cook the steak, do not keep poking, moving or flipping the meat. Only flip it once and check the inside only once, if possible. Continuous handling allows the juices to escape and the meat can dry out and become tough.

Things You'll Need

• Steak
• Garlic
• Onion
• Butter
• Seasonings
• Spatula

Instructions

1. Warm a frying pan over medium-low. Add butter, chopped onion and garlic, in amounts appropriate to the size and number of steaks you're cooking. Heat until butter is melted.

2. Reduce the heat to low. Season the steak to taste and then add to frying pan. Cook the steak on one side for a while, keeping an eye out to make sure the pan doesn't get too hot. The butter should maintain a low sizzle around the steak, but if it gets loud or starts bubbling everywhere, turn down the heat.

3. Flip the steak with a spatula when you see the edges begin to brown. The second side cooks much faster, so don't leave it unattended.

4. Remove the steak from the pan before you think it is done perfectly. The steak continues to cook for about 2 minutes after it is removed from the heat. When you poke the steak with the spatula, it should be tender and juices should escape. The steak will finish cooking and dry out as it cools, so beware of leaving it in the pan too long.

Tips & Warnings

• For another way to serve your steak, cut onions in large chunks and cook in the pan over medium heat before you cook the steak. When the onions begin to get soft, lower the heat and add the steak. Serve the onions over the steak.

• Do not keep poking, moving or flipping your steak. Only flip it once, and check it's insides only once if possible. Assaulting your steak will cause too many juices to escape and it will come out dry and tough.