How to Cook the Perfect Cast-Iron Skillet Steak

By James Kimble August 19, 2024 7 mins read 165 Views

Learn how to cook the perfect cast-iron skillet steak using your grill. This is the ultimate way to combine the intense heat and flavor of the grill with the even cooking and beautiful sear of the cast-iron skillet.

If you’ve ever wondered about the mouthwatering steaks served at fine-dining restaurants, there’s a reason they taste so good. Achieving that perfect medium rare internal temperature and a thick, caramelized crust requires a few tricks. Some restaurants invest in expensive broilers, while others use a method that I’ll describe in this steak cooking guide. The key to a perfectly cooked steak is a combination of flavor and intense contact heat. A heavy cast iron skillet is one of the best tools for achieving high heat. Learning to cook steak in a cast-iron skillet can help you replicate those restaurant-quality steaks without breaking the bank.

Tips for How to Cook the Perfect Cast-Iron Skillet Steak

Season: Season both sides of the steak generously with salt and pepper.
Sear: Preheat your cast-iron skillet over high heat and sear the steak for a few minutes on each side to create a beautiful crust.
Finish off: Finish cooking the steak over low heat to your desired doneness.
Resting: Let the steak for 5 minutes after cooking to let the juices redistribute.
Serving: Slice large steaks against the grain and serve, or serve smaller steaks whole with your favorite sides.

Below, you’ll find instructions for using a pellet grill, gas grill, or charcoal grill. We’ve tailored details for each type of grill, along with alternatives for other cuts of steak, pork chops, and more.

Ingredients

1 Ribeye steak (1 to 1.5 inches thick)
Olive oil (sub with avocado oil)
2 cloves peeled garlic cloves (or smoked garlic cloves)
1 sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary
Unsalted butter
Morton kosher salt (1 teaspoon per pound of meat)
Fresh ground black pepper

Alternative Steak Cuts and Steak Doneness

Other cuts of steak (Porterhouse T-Bone, New York strip steaks, filet mignon, and sirloin steaks)
For suggested cooking temperatures, please consult our Steak Temperature Guide. Here, you’ll learn about the different cuts of steak and the optimal doneness temperature.

Prepare Your Grill

Below, you will find instructions on how to set up each grill for optimal steak cooking.

Pellet Grill:

Preheat your pellet grill to 450°F. If your grill has a sear setting, you can use it to get a better crust on your steak.
Place the cast-iron skillet on the grill grates while preheating to ensure it’s hot when you start cooking.

Gas Grill:

Preheat your gas grill to high heat (about 450°F).
Place the cast-iron skillet directly on the grill grates during preheating.

Charcoal Grill:

Light your charcoal and set up a two-zone fire. Bank the coals on one side of the grill to create a hot, direct heat zone, leaving the other side cooler.
Place the cast-iron skillet over the hot coals while preheating.

Remember, you can always use your stovetop and oven if you do not own a grill. Sear the steak on the stovetop and transfer it to a 450-degree oven to cook to the desired doneness.

Seasoning the steak

Pat the steak dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better sear.
Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the steak, rubbing it in to coat evenly.
Generously season both sides with Morton kosher salt and ground black pepper.

Searing the Steak

Once your grill and skillet are preheated, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the cast-iron skillet.
Once you see a visible whisp of smoke, add the ribeye steak to the skillet, gently pressing down slightly to ensure full contact.
Let the steak sear for 2-3 minutes until a nice crust forms on the bottom. Flip the steak, and sear for 2 minutes.

Aromatics and Basting

Next, add the garlic cloves, fresh herbs, and butter to the skillet.
Tilt the skillet slightly to pool the melted butter. Use a spoon to baste the steak with the melted butter and garlic mixture.

Finish Cooking the Steak

Pellet Grill, Close the lid and continue cooking until the steak reaches your desired doneness. We recommend medium-rare, which is an internal temperature between 130 and 135 degrees F.
Grill: Lower the heat slightly after searing and close the lid. Cook until the steak is done.
Charcoal Grill: if the skillet gets too hot, move it to the indirect (cooler) side of the grill to finish cooking.

Rest and Serve

How to Cook the Perfect Cast-Iron Skillet Steak

Remove the steak from the cast-iron skillet and transfer it to a clean cutting board. Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes. Doing this will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Alternative Cuts

New York Strip: Similar cook times as ribeye. Slightly less fatty but still full of flavor.
Filet Mignon: Choose a leaner cut, sear for 2 minutes per side, and finish cooking to the desired doneness.
Sirloin: This cut is an affordable option for this cast-iron skillet recipe. It cooks similarly to ribeye, so monitor it closely for doneness. It can cook quickly!
Pork Chops: Bone-in chops should be cooked like ribeye, steaks. Boneless chops may need less time to cook to a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

Recommended Side Dishes

Pair this delicious cast-iron skillet steak with these comfort food classics and veggie sides for the perfect meal!