One of the coolest cooking tricks with a cast iron skillet is creating the perfect steak with a restaurant-quality sear. Here's how you can do it:
Cast Iron Skillet Steak:
Ingredients:
- Thick-cut steak (such as ribeye, striploin, or filet mignon)
- Salt
- Pepper
- High smoke point oil (e.g., vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil)
- Butter
- Fresh herbs (optional, like rosemary or thyme)
Instructions:
Preheat the Skillet: Place your cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat it to a high temperature, around 450°F to 500°F (230°C to 260°C). Preheating the skillet in the oven ensures even heating and a consistent sear.
Prepare the Steak: Remove the steak from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. Pat it dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear.
Season the Steak: Liberally season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper, or your preferred steak seasoning.
Heat the Skillet on Stove: Remove the preheated cast iron skillet from the oven and place it on the stovetop over high heat. Add a tablespoon of high smoke point oil to the skillet and let it heat until it shimmers.
Sear the Steak: Carefully place the seasoned steak in the hot skillet. It should sizzle immediately. Allow the steak to sear on one side for about 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness and desired level of doneness (2 minutes for rare, 4 minutes for medium-rare). Avoid moving the steak around to ensure a proper crust forms.
Flip and Add Butter: Using tongs, flip the steak to sear the other side for the same amount of time. Add a few tablespoons of butter and fresh herbs (if using) to the skillet.
Baste the Steak: As the butter melts, tilt the skillet slightly, and using a spoon, baste the steak with the melted butter and herbs for extra flavor and moisture.
Finish in the Oven: Carefully transfer the skillet with the steak to the preheated oven. Cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness.
Rest the Steak: Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the steak to a cutting board. Allow it to rest for a few minutes to let the juices redistribute.
Slice and Serve: Slice the steak against the grain and serve it hot. Enjoy the beautifully seared, tender, and flavorful steak!
Remember to handle the hot skillet with oven mitts and use proper safety precautions. This cast iron skillet steak technique delivers excellent results and will impress anyone you cook for!