The Juicy Secret to Grilling the Perfect Red Meat

For steak lovers, there’s nothing better than a nicely charred, juicy piece of red meat hot off the grill. The savory umami flavor of beef when it hits that perfect medium rare doneness is the stuff of legends. But grilling red meat, especially steak, can be intimidating for home cooks. How do you get that restaurant-quality crust without overcooking the inside? What cuts of beef are best for grilling? And what is the secret to infusing big, bold beefy flavor into every bite? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about grilling the perfect red meat.

Choosing the Right Cuts for the Grill

Not all steaks are created equal when it comes to grilling. The cut of beef you choose will determine the texture, flavor, and recommended doneness. Here are some of the most popular cuts for grilling:

• Ribeye – This well-marbled steak is a crowd pleaser, with a tender, juicy texture. It has a rich, beefy flavor from the generous fat content. Grill ribeyes to medium rare so all that fat can render.

• Strip Steak – Also known as a New York strip, this leaner cut has a distinctly beefy flavor. Strips can develop a crust quickly on the grill. Cook them to medium doneness.

• Tenderloin – Extremely tender but with little fat, tenderloins need fast, high heat grilling. Take them off at medium rare so they don’t dry out.

• Flank Steak – Budget-friendly and flavorful, flank needs to be sliced against the grain when cooked. Grill over high heat to medium and let rest before slicing

• Skirt or Hanger Steak – Similar in texture to flank, these thin steaks pack huge flavor. Grill hot and fast to medium rare

The Perfect Grilled Steak – Step by Step

Now that you know what cuts make the best grilled steak, let’s walk through how to grill them to perfection:

1. Pat the Steak Dry

• Always pat your steaks dry before grilling. This helps achieve a better sear and crust.

2. Apply a Rub or Marinade (Optional)

• For added flavor, you can coat steaks with a dry rub or let them marinate anywhere from 2 hours to overnight.

• Dry rubs give great crust and flavor. Try recipes with chili powder, cumin, garlic, and brown sugar.

• Marinades tenderize meat and add flavor. Red wine, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic are classic marinade ingredients.

3. Get the Grill Hot

• Heat your grill as hot as possible, around 500°F if using charcoal or on high heat for gas.

• Grilling over high heat ensures a good sear while keeping the inside pink.

4. Sear Both Sides

• Use tongs to place steaks on the grill grate. Resist poking or moving them for at least 2 minutes so they can sear properly.

• Grill each side for 3-4 minutes, until nicely browned.

5. Check for Doneness

• Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness. Take steaks off the grill when they’re 5°F below your desired doneness.

• Ribeyes and tenderloin should reach 125°F for medium rare. Strip steaks and flank steak 130°F for medium.

6. Let Steaks Rest

• Allowing steaks to rest after grilling is crucial. The temperature will rise 5-10°F as they rest.

• Resting also gives the juices time to redistribute evenly throughout the meat.

• 5-10 minutes of resting results in a juicier, more tender steak.

Follow these simple steps for grilling steak worth bragging about. Now let’s talk about flavor…

Infuse Your Steak with Bold, Beefy Flavor

To take your grilled steaks to the next level, you need to add flavor. Here are some easy ways to infuse big taste into red meat:

Go for Umami

• Umami is considered the “fifth taste” and brings savory, meaty flavor.

• Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and mushrooms all contain natural umami.

• Marinating steaks in a blend of these umami ingredients amps up flavor.

Use a Powerful Marinade

• Certain ingredients have tenderizing and flavor-boosting superpowers perfect for grilling.

• Marinades with yogurt or buttermilk help break down tough muscle fibers.

• Salt, garlic, and acids from wine or citrus do double duty as tenderizers and flavor agents.

Employ Dry Rubs

• For bolder beef flavor, you can’t beat a good dry rub.

• Chili powder, black pepper, garlic, and paprika addrobust spice and aromatics.

• The sugar in rubs helps form a flavorful crust when grilled.

• Apply rubs before grilling and really pat them into the meat.

Garnish with Compound Butter

• Flavored butters melted over hot steaks adds another flavor dimension.

• Blend softened butter with herbs, lemon, roasted garlic, anchovies, chili sauce or blue cheese and dollop on top of grilled steaks.

Grilling Do’s and Don’ts

Now that you’re ready to grill that perfect steak, keep these tips in mind:

Do:

• Pat steaks very dry before grilling
• Use tongs instead of a fork
• Grill steak over direct high heat
• Flip only once during cooking
• Let steak rest after grilling

Don’t:

• Grill steaks over low heat
• Grill steaks over indirect heat
• Flip steaks more than once
• Cut into steaks right away after grilling
• Press down on steaks with a spatula

Follow this advice and your grilled steak will be picture perfect, with a dark crusty char on the outside and a tender, juicy interior.

Grilled Steak Recipe Inspiration

Ready to fire up the grill? Try out these delicious recipes for grilled steak cooked to perfection:

• Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas – Infuse flavor with a southwestern marinade and serve sizzling with sautéed peppers and onions.

• Chimichurri Grilled Flank Steak – A zesty Argentinean parsley sauce makes the ideal accompaniment.

• Coffee and Brown Sugar Rubbed Ribeyes – Wake up your tastebuds with this bold, slightly sweet dry rub.

• Grilled Hanger Steak with Blue Cheese Herb Butter – Compound butter adds a decadent finish.

• Grilled Tenderloin with Red Wine Marinade – Lean tenderloin stays juicy with a deeply flavored red wine bath.

• Korean BBQ Marinated Strip Steaks – Sweet and savory Asian notes make these strips sing.

The possibilities are endless when grilling red meat. Now that you know the secrets to grilling the perfect steak or any red meat, it’s time to fire up the grill and dig in to juicy, flavor-packed perfection. Happy grilling!