Oven-Baked Steak: Your Foolproof Guide to Deliciousness
Okay, let’s talk steak. Specifically, let’s talk about cooking it in the oven. I know, I know – some people think grilling is the only way. But trust me, mastering the oven method can be a total game-changer. It’s surprisingly simple, and you can get seriously amazing results. The key? Knowing your steak and understanding a few basic principles.
So, what makes or breaks an oven-baked steak? A few things, actually.
First off, thickness matters. A thin steak will cook way faster than a thick one, obviously. Then there’s how you like it done. Rare? Well-done? Somewhere in between? That’ll dictate the time, too. And don’t forget oven temperature. Crank it up, and things cook faster. Keep it lower, and you get a more even cook. Finally, while the cut of steak doesn’t change the target temperature, a marbled ribeye might behave a tad differently than a leaner sirloin in the oven.
Now, about those oven techniques… You’ve got options!
Probably the most popular is the sear-then-bake. You blast the steak in a screaming-hot pan on the stovetop to get that beautiful crust, then finish it off in a preheated oven. For this method, you’ll usually want your oven somewhere between 400°F and 450°F.
Then there’s broiling. Think of it as indoor grilling. The broiler uses intense, direct heat, so things happen fast. If you go this route, position your oven rack about 6-8 inches from the broiler. Keep a close eye on things!
And finally, we have the reverse sear. This is a bit fancier, but worth it. You cook the steak low and slow in the oven first, then sear it at the end. We’re talking oven temps of 200°F to 275°F for this one.
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks: cooking times. Here’s a rough guide for a 1-inch thick steak cooked at 400°F after you’ve seared it:
DonenessInternal TemperatureApproximate Cooking TimeRare120-125°F (49-52°C)10 minutesMedium-Rare130-135°F (54-57°C)12 minutesMedium140-145°F (60-63°C)14 minutesMedium-Well150-155°F (66-68°C)16 minutesWell-Done160°F+ (71°C+)18 minutes