How Long to Grill Steak (The Complete Guide)

How Long to Grill Steak (The Complete Guide)

Grilling is a form of cooking that has been around for centuries. Steak grilling specifically can be fun and enjoyable with friends and families.

There are stages to steak doneness so how long you cook it is going to be based on your preference however you should know how long to generally grill your steak. The smoky flavor you get from a well-cooked grilling stick can’t be contended with.

Cooking time for steak also depends on the size but if you are looking to grill the perfect steak then you do need a grilling guide and chart to ensure you cook the best steak every time. The art of mastering grills is not as complicated as many think, and we have to agree it’s a chance to impress your family and friends.

A steak dinner can never go wrong, and it’s even more perfect when it’s summertime! Grilling also requires a good deal of patience and there has to be an understanding of how to serve different steak recipes as well.

To get your grill to your preferred level of doneness, there are rules to follow and mistakes to avoid as well. Grilling steak is actually easier than you think, so you don’t have to be intimidated. Here is a complete guide on how long to grill a steak.

Can You Cut A Steak In Half Before Grilling?
Image: @vladyslav.levin via Twenty20

The Most Common Steaks to Grill

Before you fire up your grill and start cooking, you need to choose the best cut of beef that will give you juicy results.

A properly grilled steak will give you a smokey, juicy flavor with a high crispy crust. So, we all agree that the best part of the steak to grill is the beef primal cut which is known as the short loin, we have listed below some other nice cuts of beef you can enjoy as well.

  • Strip steaks
  • Rib-eye steak
  • Fillet Mignon
  • Tenderloin steaks
  • Porterhouse steaks
  • T-bone steaks
  • Flank steaks
  • Chuck eye steaks
  • Flat iron steaks
  • Top sirloin steak

The beef cuts will be further enhanced by using the best savory and healthy marinade for them.

Other time of common steaks you might enjoy grilling is flank steak, flat iron steak, culotte, and skirt steak. These steaks listed vary between thick and thinner cuts, and they all require different marination, grilling, and cutting process.

How Long to Grill Steak?

After getting the steak cuts you want, the next step will be the marination which can be done according to your preference. Next is the grilling and knowing how long you ought to grill your steak is essential for the best taste and texture.

One crucial piece of advice for grilling steak is to not do it like is done at the steak house hence you need a time frame to work with.

How Long to Grill Steak (The Complete Guide)
Image: Chicago steak company

The answer to how long to grill your steak largely depends on the thickness of your steak. Note that steak will continue to rise in temperature for 5 to 10 minutes after they have been removed from the grill, so you need to ensure the internal temperature is right.

There is no definitive answer to how long you should grill your steak, but experts advised using a thermometer for thick cuts and a timer for thin cuts. A meat thermometer can give you a precise idea of when your steak is done.

In retrospect, you are meant to grill your steak for 4 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare doneness depending on how thick it is. For medium, grill on each side for 5 to 8 minutes. You can choose to cook it longer if it is not tender the way you want.

Steak Doneness Guide and Temperature Charts

If you are particular about how long to grill your steak, you have to work with the recipe you have at hand. The recipe often determines the cut of meat and internal temperature to indicate it is done. Grilling time for steak is organized by the internal temperature and thickness.

Here is a simple guide on steak from rare to well done.

Steak DonenessInternal temperatureTimeColor
Rare125 to 130ºF, max pull off at 125ºF4 to 5 minutes for each sideVery red/pink
Medium Rare130 to 135ºF, max 130ºF5 then 4 minutes per sidePink
Medium140 to 150ºF, max 145ºF6 then 4 minutes each sideSlightly pink
Medium well done155 to 165ºF max 160ºF7 then 5 minutes on each sideMostly brown
Well-done170ºF or more max 165ºF12 then 10 minutes on each sideCompletely brown

Note: Once your meat is out of the grill, you have to leave it to rest for at least 5 minutes and loosely cover it with foil. This process locks the steak in for you. Also, the time used above is based on a 1-inch thick steak hence the thicker your steak is, the longer to grill it on each side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you grill steak with the lid open or closed?

You should consider closing the lid for thicker cuts to keep the temperature high and even. So if the steak you are grilling is ¾ inch thick or less, do not close the lid, but if it is over ¾, keep the lid closed except you do need to keep a close eye on it.

How long do you grill a 1 and 1/2 inch steak?

If you are grilling 1” rib eye, it should be grilled for 12 to 9 minutes to get a medium rare degree of doneness. Grill for 12-15 minutes for 1½ inch steak., turn it about 1 minute before the point. The temperature probe should read 130ºF then you remove it from the grill and rest for 5 minutes or more.

How long should I grill a 2-inch thick steak?

A 2-inch thick steak should take 8 minutes on each side to make it rare and 10 minutes on each side for medium rare. Use direct heat when cooking 2-inch medium steak then cook for 20 to 25 minutes for rare, 27 to minutes for medium.

How long do you grill a steak at 450?

Grill steak for 4 to 5 minutes at 450 degrees. You should expect to cook thicker cuts of steak for about 10 minutes or about 6 minutes per side for medium rare steak.

How do you know when to flip a steak?

Flip the steak after it uses a total of 5 minutes or recommended time on one side. However, it is best that you flip your steak once since it’s not getting direct heat on one side like the pan, rather there is a circulation of heat as the steak is only a few inches up.

Wrapping Up

Most grills come with a suggested time for cooking your steak, but this actually varies on your meat and temperature. You should also keep in mind that it will be a bit difficult to get the accurate temperature reading for 3/4 meta, but you can use a timer for that.

The temperature chart above should help you decide how long you can cook your steak based on the required doneness however you should always have a meat thermometer in place.

Lastly, always preheat your grill over high temperature for a minute or on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes before putting your steak.

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