Get the 411 on how to choose and cook the best steaks for grilling with this easy cheat guide.
It’s all about the technique to get juicy, tender, and mouthwatering grilled steaks every time!
So fire up the BBQ and have delicious steak ready for devouring.
Different Cuts of Steak
The best steak cuts for grilling will have lots of natural marbling for the most flavor. Avoid steaks that have a vein of gristle running through them, as this is tough and chewy and won’t cook out. Fun fact: thicker steaks are easier to cook and will get that nice charred exterior while the interior stays tender and juicy.
FLANK, SKIRT, & TOP ROUND: These tougher cuts benefit from a marinade to tenderize the meat. Slicing against the grain once the steaks are done is also a good step for tougher cuts.
TOP LOIN & SIRLOIN: Either of these two cuts are great on the grill, both being tender and flavorful. Seasoning, dry rubs, and marinating are optional for these cuts.
What’s the Best Steak for Grilling?
Most home cooks will agree that the ribeye steak is the top choice for grilling. Lots of marbling means the meat stays moist and tender and extra flavorful.
Bone-in ribeyes are impressive looking on the plate and, because of the bone, will have a richer flavor. Boneless ribeyes take less time to cook and are easier to eat; either way, ribeye steaks are a great choice.
Filets are another grilling favorite, especially for their unmatched tenderness. This cut ensures every bite is tender and juicy.
Seasoning & Marinating Steak
SEASONINGS: Dry rubs are popular for infusing bold flavors into steaks and are easy to make. Customize your steaks with a simple seasoned salt rub, or go with a big, zesty Cajun flavor.
MARINADES: For larger or tougher cuts of beef like flank, skirt, and top round steaks, marinades tenderize the meat and add loads of flavor. This soy ginger marinade is sweet and a little spicy, but a simple vinaigrette works, too. Be sure to discard any leftover marinade to avoid cross-contamination.
Setting Up The BBQ
Clean BBQ grates produce great-tasting steaks for charcoal, pellet stoves, and gas grills. Scrub the grates clean and rub them with some vegetable oil on a clean paper towel. Always start with a preheated grill so the steaks get seared on the outside, locking in all that beefy flavor!
Perfectly Grilled Steak Every Time
- Let steaks come to room temperature before seasoning and grilling. This helps the meat absorb the seasonings better and ensures even cooking.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat (375°F) and grill steak according to cooking chart below.
- Letting the meat ‘rest’ for a few minutes after grilling allows the juices to recirculate through the meat, keeping it tender and flavorful.
Cooking Chart
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
Pro Tips & Tricks
- Avoid the temptation to press down on the meat or turn it too frequently, this will result in tough, dry steaks.
- For perfect diamond-shaped grill marks, grill at a 45° angle and cook for 2 minutes. Rotate steaks 90° to create a cross-hatch pattern and cook for another 2 minutes. Repeat on the other side.
- Top with a pat of herbed butter and loosely cover the plate with foil. Let the steak rest for about 5 minutes, this final step allows the juices to circulate back into the meat so it stays juicy once it’s sliced.
- Cutting the meat against the grain is an excellent way to further tenderize it before enjoying every juicy bite!
- A meat thermometer is a worthy investment to ensure any meat is cooked properly. Insert the thermometer at an angle into the thickest part of the meat and away from any bone.
- Take the steaks off the grill a few degrees before they reach the desired temperature since they continue to cook while resting.
- For indoor grilling, heat a cast-iron pan on medium-high heat and sear both sides of the steak before covering the pan and lowering the heat until finished.
Savory Steak Recipes
What’s your favorite steak for grilling? Let us know in the comments below!
