Are you trying to master the art of grilling the perfect steak on your gas grill? With the proper techniques, you can transform a raw cut of meat into a tender, flavorful meal.
Selecting the ideal cut of meat is the first step to grilling the perfect steak. Look for marbling, those thin streaks of fat within the meat, as they enhance flavour and tenderness when cooked. Popular choices include ribeye, New York strip, or filet mignon. Thickness matters, too. Aim for about 1 inch to ensure even cooking.
Once you have prepared the meat, it’s time to start grilling. Whether you’re a seasoned grill enthusiast or a newcomer to outdoor cooking, we will walk you through essential steps and pro tips so you can start enjoying the best steaks right in your backyard.
Season and Bring to Room Temperature
Seasoning your steak before grilling is essential for enhancing the steak’s natural flavours. Start by patting your steak dry with paper towels. This will help it brown evenly. Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper, and don’t be afraid to be generous. Add garlic powder, rosemary, or thyme for an extra kick.
Now, allow the seasoned meat to come up to room temperature before grilling by setting it out for about 30 minutes. This allows the flavours to infuse and the meat to relax, resulting in a juicier and more tender steak. Never skip this step because cold meat straight from the fridge can cook unevenly, leaving the centerless done than the edges.
Preheating the Grill
Before placing the steaks on the gas grills, ensure it is preheated to the right temperature (around 450-500°F). Preheating ensures your grill reaches the right temperature for perfect results. This helps to create a flavorful sear on the steak’s surface, sealing in juices and enhancing taste. Without preheating, the meat might stick to the grates or cook unevenly.
Oil the Grates
Brush the grill grates with a high smoke point oil like canola or vegetable oil before placing the steaks on them.
Like greasing a baking pan, oiling the grates helps prevent the steak from sticking, making it easier to flip and preventing precious juices from being lost. It also creates those appealing grill marks and enhances the searing process, which locks in the steak’s delicious taste.
Perfect Grill Marks
Getting those picture-perfect grill marks on your steak is a simple technique that levels up your grilling game. After you have followed the above steps, lay the steak diagonally across the grates, aiming for a 45-degree angle. Let it cook for a few minutes without moving it.
Then, gently rotate the steak a quarter-turn to create those classic crosshatch marks. Flip the steak and repeat on the other side. These grill marks aren’t just eye-catching; they bring a deliciously caramelized crunch that elevates your steak from ordinary to extraordinary.
Sear and Slide
The sear and slide technique for grilling a steak is a clever way to achieve an even cook. Begin by placing the steak on the hot grill grates. Once you have your grill marks, use tongs to gently slide the steak to an unheated part of the grill.
This reduces the risk of flare-ups and uneven cooking. Close the grill lid to finish cooking the steak with indirect heat. This technique ensures a juicy interior and a beautifully seared exterior, resulting in a perfectly balanced steak taste and texture.
Use a Meat Thermometer
Using a meat thermometer will take all the guesswork out of cooking times, ensuring your steak reaches your desired level of doneness. Insert the thermometer horizontally into the thickest part of the steak, away from bone or fat, for an accurate reading.
With this precision, you can achieve the perfect medium-rare, medium, or well-done steak every time, avoiding overcooking that can make the meat tough.
Baste for Flavour
Basting your steak towards the end of grilling adds a final burst of flavour and juiciness. As the steak nears your preferred doneness, brush it with a flavorful mixture like melted butter, herbs, and garlic. Basting enhances the outer layer’s taste and helps prevent the meat from drying.
Let It Rest
As a steak cooks, its juices gather at the center. Allowing it to rest off the grill for 5 to 10 minutes lets those flavorful juices redistribute throughout the meat. This ensures a juicy and tender bite rather than a rush of juices spilling out upon cutting.
Grilling steaks on a gas grill is an art anyone can master with the right techniques. Each step contributes to a mouth-watering final product, from preheating the grill to resting the cooked steaks. With practice and creativity, you’ll soon impress your friends and family with perfectly grilled steaks bursting with flavour!
