If you ask people about their favorite meal, steak is a common response. It’s a fantastic choice if you want to treat yourself (and your guests). If you’ve splashed out on a nice cut of meat you may be wondering: “what temperature should you cook steak?”
The temperature you grill steak will depend on how done you want it to be. Steak is notoriously tricky to get right, especially if you’re catering to different preferences. Nothing is more disappointing than cutting into your steak only to discover it’s overcooked (or undercooked).
Help is at hand as we’ll walk you through all you need to know about the right temperature to grill steak. So, whether you prefer rare or well-done, sirloin or rump, we’ve got you covered. We’ll ask the experts: “what temperature should you cook steak?” and get their top tips.
Want a surefire way to take your steak to the next level? Barbecuing steak can enhance caramelization and add a smoky flavor. Check out our guide to the best gas grills to help you achieve an even cook.
What temperature should you cook steak?
Before you even think about cooking your steak, you’ll want to do some prep. “You should always bring the steak to room temperature before grilling it. Cooking a cold steak can lead to the searing on the outside of the steak not being as potent as you would like,” says Barbara Bolotte, Health Food Entrepreneur and Founder of Clean Creations.
So, what temperature should you cook steak? “You will need two different temperatures for grilling a steak, the first of which is the searing temperature. You should be able to hold your hand about an inch above the grill for 1 second before it becomes too hot and you must pull away (about 450-500° Fahrenheit).”
“The second temperature is a lower, medium temperature (375 to 400° Fahrenheit) to cook your steak after the sear to achieve your desired level of pink on the inside,” explains Barbara. For perfect results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The temperature varies depending on how done you want it. The manufacturer Char-Broil suggests the following as a guide:
| Steak cooked to | Temperature |
| Rare | 120 - 125°F |
| Medium rare | 130 - 135°F |
| Medium | 140 - 145°F |
| Medium well | 150 - 155°F |
| Well done | 160 - 175°F |
The secret is to remove it about 5°F below the finished temperature as it will continue to cook. Last but not least, don’t forget to rest your steak. This allows the juices to soak back into the meat, giving you a tender finish.
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