The Best Steak Grilling Tips from the Pros

iStockphoto/Thinkstock
iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Every meat lover dreams of cutting into a perfectly grilled steak and sharing the experience with friends and family, but they probably don't dream of paying restaurant prices. Instead, save some dough and make your own perfectly grilled steaks at home. With a few tips from the pros, you'll be able to achieve restaurant-quality results without breaking the bank.

We consulted a couple of experts for their advice on how to achieve consistent, flavorful results every time you hit the grill with some steaks. John Schenk is the corporate executive chef at Strip House Steakhouse, with locations in Houston, New York City, and Las Vegas. Prior to his role at Strip House, he served as executive chef at Monkey Bar and Mad.61 at Barney's New York. His simple, memorable advice will ensure juicy, tender, flavorful steaks each time.

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Jan Birnbaum is the executive chef and co-owner of the critically acclaimed EPIC Roasthouse located in San Francisco. Birnbaum has more than 30 years of experience and currently emphasizes a "no-nonsense approach to food" - making him the perfect man to ask for some "no-nonsense advice." He has helped open a number of well-reviewed restaurants, including Sazerac in Seattle and his own Catahoula in Napa Valley, Calif.

Armed with the right tips and tricks, you can achieve meat nirvana every time, just like these seasoned pros.

Don't Spare the BTUs

Schenk says it is all about heat. High heat sears the cooking surface of the meat, ensuring a juicier steak and allows the charring to happen. With high heat, one can get a nicely charred rare steak. A little flame is your friend; a lot of flame is a definite concern. Keep two sides of the grill hot and move the steak to the second hot spot if the first grilling area is aggressively flaming up. Dousing with water is a last resort; you want to keep the grill as hot as possible. But if it's between the house going up and a well charred steak, I'd give a nod to keeping the house intact.

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Don't Flip Out


Schenk also says that flipping the steak too often can sabotage the charring of the meat and eliminate most of the seasoning on the steak. Don't drag the steak over the grill when turning. Pick it up in one motion and place it back with the same motion.

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Rest and Relax

Birnbaum says that once meat is removed from the heat, its temperature may continue to increase by as much as 10 percent. And Schenk reminds cooks: Once you have achieved the desired temperature, remove the steak from the heat and allow it to rest for at least five minutes on a grate over a pan before cutting it. You want to make sure there is air all around the steak to stop the cooking process. The internal juices will redistribute throughout the steak and the steak will relax and become tender. Cutting too soon will allow the juices to spill out.

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Finishing Touches


Schenk recommends returning the steak to the grill after it has rested for about 30 seconds on each side just before serving to get a surface sizzle going. A little sprinkle of a gray sea salt on the steak allows for a gentle and focused reseasoning of the steak.

The bad news: People will make you do all the grilling from now on.

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Cleanup

Lastly, we recommend cleaning the grill while it's still hot. If you wait until the grill cools, it'll be harder to get all the sticky residue off the grates. Use a grill or wire brush, or try these alternatives. This way, the grill will be ready to go the next time you want to use it as well.

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-Will Budiaman, The Daily Meal