Tender Steak Oven Recipe: A Comprehensive Guide

Now that you have carefully selected your steak, it’s crucial to properly clean and prepare it for cooking. Follow these steps to ensure optimum taste and hygiene:

1. Rinsing and Patting Dry: Rinse the steak under cold water to remove any lingering debris or bone fragments. Pat it dry using paper towels to promote better browning during the cooking process.

2. Seasoning the Steak: Generously season your steak with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. This enhances the flavor profile and creates a delectable crust when searing.

3. Bringing to Room Temperature: Allow your seasoned steak to rest at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcooking the meat while the interior remains underdone.

Tips for Achieving Perfect Steak in the Oven

To achieve tender and succulent steak, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Preheating the Oven: Preheat your oven to a high temperature, preferably around 450°F (230°C), as this ensures a quick sear and locks in the steak’s juices.

2. Using an Oven-Safe Pan: It is crucial to use an oven-safe pan, preferably cast iron, to evenly distribute heat and achieve ideal browning.

3. Searing the Steak: Heat the pan over high heat until it is smoking hot. Carefully place the steak into the pan and allow it to sear undisturbed for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side. This creates an appetizing crust on the exterior.

4. Transferring to the Oven: Once seared, transfer the pan to the preheated oven to finish cooking. This method allows for uniform heat distribution, resulting in an evenly cooked steak.

5. Using a Meat Thermometer: To ensure accurate doneness, use a meat thermometer. For rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F (52°C). For medium-rare, 130°F (54°C), and for medium, 140°F (60°C). Avoid overcooking, as this may compromise the tenderness of the steak.

Variations to Experiment With

While a perfectly cooked steak is delightful on its own, it’s always exciting to experiment with flavors and variations. Consider trying out these options to take your steak to the next level:

1. Marinades: Tenderize your steak and infuse it with robust flavors by using marinades. Experiment with ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, or Worcestershire sauce before cooking. Marinading for at least 2 hours, or overnight, imparts an extra dimension of flavor.

2. Dry Rubs: Create a dry rub by combining spices and aromatic herbs according to your preference. Paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme are excellent choices. Apply the dry rub liberally onto the steak, ensuring an even coating, and allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

3. Compound Butters: Elevate your steak by topping it with compound butter before serving. Choose from various flavors such as garlic and herb, sun-dried tomato, or bleu cheese and horseradish. Simply mix softened butter with your desired ingredients, roll it into a log, chill, and slice before serving.

Ensuring the Perfect Doneness

Achieving the desired level of doneness is crucial to cater to varying preferences. Here’s how you can check the steak’s doneness without relying solely on a meat thermometer:

1. Finger Test: Gently press the center of the steak with your index finger while comparing its firmness to different parts of your hand:

   • Rare: The meat feels as soft as the fleshy part of your palm near the thumb.

   • Medium-Rare: The meat feels slightly firmer, similar to the fleshy part below the thumb.

   • Medium: The meat offers moderate resistance – similar to the firmness of your palm when making a fist.

   • Well-Done: The meat feels firm, like the base of your thumb, when pressing on the steak.

2. Color and Juices: A rare steak boasts a bright red center with a warm, pinkish outer layer, while a medium steak is pink in the center with a substantial brown exterior. Well-done steak tends to be uniformly brown with significantly fewer juices.

The Mouthwatering Steak Oven Recipe

Now that you have gained a comprehensive understanding of the science, culinary techniques, selection, cleaning, and variations, it’s time to put it all into practice with our mouthwatering steak oven recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 1-inch thick ribeye steaks

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

• Optional: Fresh herbs or garlic for added flavor

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and let it warm up while you prepare the steaks.

2. Pat the steaks dry using paper towels and season them liberally with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.

3. Heat an oven-safe pan, preferably cast iron, over high heat until it starts smoking.

4. Add vegetable oil to the hot pan, followed by the seasoned steaks. Sear each side for approximately 2-3 minutes until a delectable crust forms.

5. Add butter and optional herbs or garlic to the pan, basting the steaks with the melted butter for additional flavor.

6. Carefully transfer the pan to the preheated oven and let the steaks cook for about 5-7 minutes or until reaching your desired level of doneness, using a meat thermometer for accuracy.

7. Once done, remove the pan from the oven and let the steaks rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.

8. Serve your succulent steaks with your preferred side dishes and garnish with fresh herbs or a pat of compound butter for an impressive finishing touch.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now become a bona fide connoisseur of tender steak cooked to perfection in the oven. With the knowledge acquired from this comprehensive guide, you can confidently select the ideal cut, clean and prepare your steak, and experiment with various flavors, all while achieving the optimum level of tenderness. So, don your apron, harness your culinary skills, and treat yourself to an unforgettable steak experience. Meat lovers, rejoice – a tantalizing, tender steak awaits you in the warmth of your oven!

Sources

FAQS On Tender Steak Oven Recipe

How Do I Prepare A Tender And Juicy Steak In The Oven?

To achieve a tender steak in the oven, it is important to choose the right cut of meat, season it properly, and cook it at the right temperature for the right amount of time.

What Is The Best Cut Of Beef To Use For A Tender Steak In The Oven?

The best cuts for tender steak in the oven include ribeye, striploin, tenderloin, or top sirloin. These cuts have a good balance of marbling and tenderness that make them ideal for oven cooking.

What Seasonings Work Well For A Tender Steak In The Oven?

The most popular seasonings for steak include salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs like rosemary or thyme. You can also use a marinade or dry rub to add flavor and tenderness to your steak.

How Do I Know When The Steak Is Cooked To My Desired Doneness?

The best way to determine doneness is by using a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should read 135°F, for medium it should be 145°F, and for well-done it should be 160°F.

Can I Cook Frozen Steak In The Oven?

Yes, you can cook frozen steak in the oven but it will take longer than thawed steak. Be sure to increase the cooking time and check the internal temperature to ensure it is cooked through. It is always recommended to thaw the steak before cooking for more even cooking and better results.