How to Cook a Steak on a Skillet

You can make a delicious steak in a skillet with the proper technique.

For those that love a a juicy piece of steak hot off the grill, not much can compare. The smoky flavor that a grill imparts on the steak is hard to duplicate with other methods. However, sometimes you don't feel like breaking out the grill to enjoy a good steak. In times like these, you can still cook a tender and flavorful steak right on the stove, if you know how to do it right. The key to skillet cooking steak is to sear it on the stove and finish it in the oven.

Things You'll Need

• 1 beef steak (ribeye, t-bone, filet mignon)
• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 10- to 12-inch cast-iron skillet

Instructions

1. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.

2. Place the cast-iron skillet into the oven and preheat to 400 F.

3. Remove cast iron skillet from the oven when the oven is fully heated, using oven mitts and kitchen towels. Place the skillet on a burner on the stove over high heat. Leave the oven on.

4. Lightly coat the steak with the oil and season both sides with salt and pepper to your liking.

5. Place the steak into the hot pan on medium-high heat. The steak will sizzle loudly and some oil may spatter from the hot pan, so use caution during searing.

6. Sear the steak for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip the steak using tongs and sear the other side for the same amount of time.

7. Open the oven and place the hot skillet with the steak in it in the oven, using oven mitts, to let it finish cooking. Let the steak cook for another 5 to 12 minutes, based on the level of doneness that you prefer.

8. Remove the pan from the oven and place the steak on a plate. Cover the plate with foil and let the steak rest for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the steak to make it juicy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you enjoy your steak more on the rare side, you do not have to finish it in the oven. The sear is all you need.

• A pat of garlic or blue cheese butter will add intense flavor to your steak.

• Be very careful handling the hot cast-iron skillet. Keep the handle toward the stove and keep small children away from the area.

References

• Martha Stewart: Pan-Seared Steak

Resources

• Food Network: Pan Seared Ribeye
• The Firepit and Grilling Guru: Pan Seared Steak