How to Grill a Great Steak

When done correctly, grilling a steak can be a pretty simple task. Steaks are a great source of protein, and can be cooked up in a matter of minutes to create a great main course that goes well with almost any side dish. Read below to find out my simple guide to cooking a great steak!

When you first buy the steak, you want to check the grade. The grade of a steak is usually given out by a government agency like the FDA or the USDA, with Grade A being the best. Also, you want to make sure that it is fresh. It should have a pretty bright red color, and you should be able to see some of the juices still in the steak. If not, it means that the steak is dried up and no longer fresh (or flavorful, for that matter). Lastly, you'll want to check the marbling of the steak. Marbling is the thin streaks of fat that are dispersed throughout the entire steak that contribute greatly to the taste- the thinner the better.

Cook Steak

When preparing a steak, you want to make sure that it is tender. This can be accomplished by buying a meat tenderizer at your local grocery store, or simply leave the steak out for a couple of hours before you cook it. Instead of sitting in your refrigerator, this will give it some air and expand the meat, making it more tender when grilled later.

Next comes the seasoning. One of the tastiest seasonings that I use regularly is also one of the easiest to make, and you probably have the ingredients right in your kitchen! It contains:

1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Sprinkle of salt
Sprinkle of ground pepper

The measurements are not all that important, usually I just sprinkle everything on straight from the can until the steak is pretty well covered (both sides). It's important to strike a balance between the flavors, however, so don't overdo it on any single spice that you add. Also, you want to make sure to get garlic powder and onion powder, as opposed to garlic salt and onion salt, otherwise the salt taste will be very overpowering and could ruin the taste.

Cook the steak at a pretty high temperature to begin with, then turn down the heat and let it bake through to the center. This will scald the meat and seal in the juices, making for a better tasting meal overall. I usually cook a 1 inch steak at 500 for about 30 seconds, then turn the heat down to 400 and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Then I flip it and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

And there you have it! Grilling a steak can really be an art form, and usually takes a little practice to perfect. Keep these tips in mind and you'll be great in no time!

How to Grill a Great Steak

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