Cooking a tender and flavorful steak on the grill may seem daunting, but fear not! I’m here to guide you through the process of grilling a mouthwatering sirloin steak (or any other cut) to perfection. In this article, you will find expert tips on selecting the best steak, choosing the right marinade, and grilling techniques. So let’s get started and elevate your grilling game!
Choosing the Best Steak for Grilling
When it comes to grilling steak, the quality of the meat plays a crucial role. While you have a range of cuts to choose from, top sirloin steak stands out for its exceptional taste and value. However, you can apply the same method to filet mignon, New York strip, ribeye, or chuck eye steak, as they are all excellent options.
Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the perfect grilling steak:
- Thickness: Steaks that are at least 1 inch thick (preferably 1.5 inches) are ideal to prevent overcooking.
- Marbling: Look for steaks with thin, evenly distributed lines of fat (marbling) to ensure juiciness and flavor. While filet mignon is tender, it may lack the same level of flavor due to minimal marbling.
- Grade: Choose between Prime, Choice, Select, or Standard quality steaks, with Prime being the highest and Standard being the lowest.
- Cut: Different cuts offer varying textures and levels of juiciness. The marbling in porterhouse, ribeye, and New York strip steaks make them popular choices. Skirt steak, although a bit thin, is perfect for carne asada.
Grilled Steak Marinade
Enhancing the flavor of your steak is crucial, and a well-made marinade can do wonders. Here’s what you’ll need for a delicious grilled steak marinade:
- Olive Oil: Prevents the meat from sticking to the grill grates and helps create beautiful grill lines.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savory punch to the beef.
- Coconut Aminos: A gluten-free soy sauce substitute that adds depth of flavor. Regular soy sauce can also be used.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a burst of freshness. Bottled lemon juice is a convenient alternative.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic or jarred garlic can be used. If neither is available, substitute with 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Spices: Italian seasoning, sea salt (or kosher salt), and black pepper add layers of taste.
- Compound Butter: While optional, adding compound butter to your perfectly grilled steak elevates the flavors even further. Choose your favorite herbs for the butter to melt over the juicy meat.
How to Grill Steak
Now that you have your steak and marinade ready, it’s time to fire up the grill! Follow these easy steps for a mouthwatering grilled steak:
-
Marinate: Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the marinade into a large zip-top freezer bag, add the steaks, and coat them well. Refrigerate and marinate for ideally 3-8 hours (up to 24 hours is fine).
-
Bring to Room Temperature: If possible, take the steaks out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling to reach room temperature (leave them in the marinade).
-
Heat: Preheat your grill to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. It’s important to have a smoking hot grill for a proper sear.
-
Sear: Place the steak on the grill and close the lid. Sear for 2 minutes, then flip and sear for an additional 2 minutes with the lid closed.
-
Finish: Reduce the heat and continue cooking the steak to your desired doneness. See the cooking times below for guidance.
-
Rest: Remove the steak from the grill and transfer it to a plate. If desired, top it with compound butter. Tent the steak with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cooking Times for Grilled Steak
For a 1.5-inch thick steak, sear for at least 2 minutes per side, then refer to the following chart for your desired level of doneness. The photos accompanying this article depict a medium-rare steak.
Use a meat thermometer to check the steak’s internal temperature. The target temperature is indicated in the chart above. Remember, the internal temperature will rise by an additional 5 degrees while resting.
Achieving the Best Grill Temperature for Steak
To achieve the perfect sear, start by preheating your grill to a super-hot temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you’ve seared the steak, lower the temperature for grilling over indirect heat until it reaches your desired doneness level:
- Rare: 120 degrees F
- Medium Rare: 130 degrees F
- Medium: 140 degrees F
- Medium Well: 150 degrees F
- Well Done: 160 degrees F
Seasoning Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some seasoning variations to explore:
- Lemon Pepper: Omit worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and spices. Instead, use lemon pepper seasoning.
- Montreal: Replace the spices in the recipe with Montreal steak seasoning.
- Balsamic: Try a balsamic steak marinade instead of the marinade mentioned earlier. Grill as usual.
- Chimichurri: Top your steak with a flavorsome chimichurri sauce instead of compound butter.
Storage Instructions
If you have any leftovers or want to plan ahead, here are some storage tips:
- Store: Let the steak cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftover steak can be used to make a delicious steak salad.
- Meal prep: You can marinate the steaks up to 24 hours before cooking. Alternatively, prepare the marinade up to 5 days in advance and store it separately in the fridge.
- Reheat: To reheat, place the steak in a 250-degree Fahrenheit oven until warm (approximately 25-30 minutes). Finish by searing it on medium-high heat for 1 minute on each side using a small amount of oil on the stovetop.
- Freeze: Wrap the steak tightly or vacuum seal it, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the steak overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
What to Serve With Grilled Steak
Now that you’ve mastered the art of grilling steak, it’s time to think about the perfect accompaniments. Here are some mouthwatering options:
- Grilled Veggies: Grilled broccoli, grilled asparagus, or grilled cabbage steaks are excellent choices to complete your meal.
- Hearty Salads: Dive into refreshing salads like cucumber tomato avocado salad, cauliflower potato salad, or cilantro lime slaw.
- Leafy Salads: Rainbow salad, spring mix salad, wedge salad, or 7 layer salad all pair beautifully with steak.
- Classic Steakhouse Sides: Mashed potatoes (or mashed cauliflower), creamed spinach, or sauteed garlic butter mushrooms are classic choices that perfectly complement your grilled steak.
More Easy Steak Recipes
If you enjoyed this grilled sirloin steak recipe, here are some other easy ways to cook your favorite cuts, whether on the stove or the grill:
Enjoy your culinary adventures with Family Cuisine, and savor the incredible flavors of a perfectly grilled steak!
This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. (Full disclosure)
