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Lots of people cook steak on the grill, but you can also prepare a delicious piece of steak in the oven. The key is to prepare the steak in advance and cook it at the perfect temperature.

Ingredients

  • Steak
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Preparing the Steak

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  1. You'll want a very hot oven to cook the perfect steak.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    Steaks that are an inch to an inch and a half thick work best for this method.[2] That's because thicker steaks get more time to develop a wonderful outer crust before the inside cooks. Generally speaking, the thinner the steak, the quicker it becomes as dry and hard as it cooks.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    Excess moisture left on steaks will cause them to steam, not sear.[3] Take a paper towel and wick away any moisture that's present on your steak.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    There are several opinions about how and when to salt your steak.[4]
    • Let your steak warm up to room temperature before you season it so it cooks through evenly.[7]
    • If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, salt your steak immediately before you place it in the pan. Salt draws moisture from the inside of the steak to the outside.[6]
    • If you have more than 45 minutes to spare, try salting the steak three quarters of an hour in advance. The salt will draw salt out to the surface of the steak, but after 30 to 40 minutes, the steak will draw back the salted moisture in a process called osmosis. This gives the steak a wonderful taste and, some say, actually tenderizes it.[7]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    Oil a cast iron skillet or other oven-safe pan with a nice coating of neutral oil and begin to heat it on a burner over high heat. The steak will start off over the burner, but the bulk of the cooking will be done in the oven. This method is used by chefs, cooks and restaurateurs the world over.[8]
    • Use a neutral oil such as pine nut or canola oil instead of a pungent oil like olive oil. This helps respect the natural intensity of the steak's flavor.[9]
    • You'll know the pan is ready to cook with when the oil starts smoking.
    • You can also melt 1 teaspoon (4.7 g) of butter in the pan instead of using oil.[12]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Cooking the Steak

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    [11] To avoid any oil splatter, tip the bottom of the pan up slightly by lifting the skillet's handle up in the air. The oil should gather in a small reservoir near the very tip of the pan. Place the steak gingerly inside the pan and lower the skillet's handle back down.
    • Adjust the steak with tongs to ensure that it's getting equal coverage on the pan (for a better crust), but don't press down on the steak with your tongs in an attempt to "sear" the steak. The steak will sear perfectly well on its own, given time.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    [14] Cook the steak just long enough to develop some nice color (i.e. flavor) on the first side.
    • Searing your steak before cooking it in the oven will help give it a crispy exterior.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    You won't need as much time on the second side of the steak because it will continue to develop color (from contact with the bottom of the pan) in the oven.[13]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    This step is optional, but a tablespoon or two of butter right before the steak goes into the oven gives the steak a wonderfully rich, nutty taste, along with a richer jus to serve alongside the steak in the end.
    • Alternatively, you can add a little beef broth and cover your skillet with foil to make your steak extra juicy.[17]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    The time spent in the oven depends on the thickness of the steak (the thicker the steak, the longer cooking time it will require) and your desired level of doneness (after 6 minutes, the steak is probably still medium-rare; after 8 minutes, it's about medium).[15]
  6. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak and leave in for a few moments to obtain a reading. Refer to the following temperature to tell whether your steak is done.[16]
    • 120° F (48.8° C) = Rare
    • 130° F (54.4° C) = Medium rare
    • 140° F (60° C) = Medium
    • 150° F (65.5° C) = Medium well
    • 160° F (71.1° C) = Well done
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    [17] As the outer layers of the meat cook, they contract. This sends the juices of the steak further into the center, where they accumulate. If you choose to cut up your steak immediately upon removing it from the oven, the juices will run all over the place because they've been trapped in one place. If, however, you let the steak "rest" for about 8 or 9 minutes after it's done cooking, the outer layers of meat will relax, allowing the remaining juices to travel back into the entire piece of meat. This creates a much juicier piece of steak.
    • You can rest your steak under a tent of aluminum foil to retain a little extra heat, but if you're eating it indoors, the amount of extra heat loss will be minimal if you leave the foil off. Plus, tenting foil over the steak may cause the skin to become less crispy.[18]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Steak in the Oven
    Serve with classic steak fare, such as a roast potato, steamed asparagus, and a simple salad on the side.
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How Do You Cook Steak?


Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you sear a steak before cooking it in the oven?
    Ashley Crawford
    Ashley Crawford
    Private Chef
    Chef Ashley Crawford is a Private Chef and the Founder of A Taste of Chef Ash. Chef Ashley started in the culinary industry when she was 14. She specializes in Creole and Cajun cuisine but has experience in all culinary topics. She has been featured in ESPN and Sports Illustrated for her culinary work with athletes.
    Ashley Crawford
    Private Chef
    Expert Answer
    Heat your cast iron skillet to medium heat with 1 tsp (14 g) of butter (or any pan spray) and sear the steak on both sides for 2-3 minutes (depending on the thickness of your steak). For extra flavor, add 2 tbsp (28.4 g) of butter, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, and 1 clove of garlic to the skillet. Once the butter melts, baste your steak with it for about 1 minute. Then, put the entire skillet in the oven—your total cooking time depends on the temperature you're looking for.
  • Question
    Can I substitute the oil and sear the steak with butter?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes! The reason many choose to use oil is for its higher smoking point. Personally, I've never had a problem with the butter beginning to smoke, but you may want to have a spoon ready to baste the meat in case of it getting close.
  • Question
    How do I know when hamburger patties are done cooking?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    5 - 6 minutes per side. Don't smash them with a spatula, you're wasting good juices/flavor by doing that. Flip them the one time only. To cook them a bit quicker, make a small indentation in the center with your thumb. It helps to ensure complete cooking, and the hole will disappear while cooking.
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Tips

  • You may need to experiment with temperature in order to get the perfectly cooked steak for your oven. Many ovens run hot or cold, so use your thermometer (and discretion) while cooking.

Tips from our Readers

  • Sprinkle salt and pepper on your steak to bring out the meaty flavors, or experiment with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, rosemary, thyme, or homemade herb butter.
  • Skirt, flank, ribeye, and filet mignon are some of the best steaks to cook in the oven.
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About This Article

Ashley Crawford
Co-authored by:
Private Chef
This article was co-authored by Ashley Crawford. Chef Ashley Crawford is a Private Chef and the Founder of A Taste of Chef Ash. Chef Ashley started in the culinary industry when she was 14. She specializes in Creole and Cajun cuisine but has experience in all culinary topics. She has been featured in ESPN and Sports Illustrated for her culinary work with athletes. This article has been viewed 3,164,414 times.
4 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 41
Updated: November 16, 2023
Views: 3,164,414
Article SummaryX

While you're preheating your oven to 450 °F, heat cooking oil in a cast iron skillet on high heat. Cook one side of the steak in the skillet for 2-3 minutes. Then, flip the steak and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes. Finally, put the cast iron skillet in the oven and cook the steak for 6-8 minutes. For help choosing a good steak and seasoning it to perfection, read the full article above!

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,164,414 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Angelinr Christensen

    Angelinr Christensen

    Aug 3, 2016

    "Helpful step-by-step instructions and my steaks turned out delicious! A thermometer is definitely helpful. Going to..." more
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