Cast Iron Steak

This Cast Iron Steak Recipe is the ultimate guide to the perfect medium rare steak – made easy! The best cast iron skillet steak made with basic ingredients in 25 minutes or less!

 

Estimated reading time: 19 minutes

When it comes to holidays, anniversaries, birthdays or celebrations of any kind, steak almost always makes its way onto the menu. It’s an incredibly popular restaurant meal that’s the pinnacle of indulgence – perfectly cooked, medium rare, velvety soft, and topped with garlic butter. Served with a side of mashed potatoes, a salad or some steamed vegetables – what could be better!?

With rising prices, a meal like this at your favourite steakhouse can set you back a pretty penny. Thankfully, make-it-yourself home cooking culture is on the rise and this Cast Iron Steak recipe is one for the books! If you want to save a bit of cash but still enjoy an indulgent, restaurant-quality meal that’s worthy of even the most expensive steakhouse, we’ve got you covered. Trust us – making your own perfectly-cooked steak at home couldn’t be easier!

When it comes to preparing steak at home there’s one kitchen tool we reach for every time: our favourite cast iron skillet! It’s the only surefire way we’ve found to achieve the perfect sear and a perfectly cooked interior that’s restaurant-quality medium rare and juicy.

And the best part? It’s one of the most economical pieces of kitchen equipment we own. A basic 12-inch cast iron skillet costs between $30 and $50, so there’s no need to break the bank (a set of 3 costs about $85) and they last for generations, making them a great addition to any kitchen for the long haul.

Here’s why we choose a cast iron skillet for our homemade juicy steak every time:

Cast iron skillets are known for how evenly they distribute and retain heat. This quality is so important because it ensures that the meat cooks evenly, searing them evenly to lock in flavours and juices and developing a deliciously caramelized exterior full of flavour, as well as a perfectly cooked interior​​.

A well-seasoned cast iron skillet provides a natural non-stick surface, which meals you can avoid adding an excessive amount of oil AND ensure you’re not cooking with synthetic coatings most non-stick pans have. Seasoning involves oiling and heating the skillet to create a durable, non-stick coating that improves as you use it​​.

Cast iron can withstand and maintain extremely high temperatures, making it ideal for searing. Unlike non-stick pans, cast iron can achieve the high temperatures needed for that perfect sear without damaging the pan​​.

Cast iron skillets are incredibly durable and can last for generations with proper care. They can handle tough cooking conditions and they’re great for so many different recipes, making them an ideal investment for both beginner cooks and experienced home chefs.

It’s time to demystify one of the simplest, tastiest, and most beloved dishes of all time: a juicy steak! This is The Busy Baker’s ultimate guide to cooking restaurant-quality steak at home, the easy way.

In the following sections, we’ll share everything you need to know about choosing the perfect steak, preparing it for cooking, and how to cook so you achieve the perfect sear on the outside and the perfect juicy interior. We also share how to use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking, our best PRO tips, tricks and secrets restaurants use to cook the perfect steak every time, AND how to troubleshoot any problems you might encounter along the way.

We’ll also share all the kitchen equipment you’ll need to make homemade steak, the ingredients you’ll need to have on hand, and ideas for flavours and marinades for your experimentation.

And be sure to check out our list of other restaurant-quality recipes to round out your meal!

When it comes to cooking the perfect steak, selecting the right cut of beef is the critical first step. The choice of cut not only impacts the flavour but also determines the tenderness and can affect the cooking time too. Here are our top 2 favourite cuts of beef for this Cast Iron Steak recipe:

Known for its rich marbling and delicious flavour, ribeye is one of our top choices. The generous amount of fat throughout the meat makes it extra juicy and tender. When cooking a ribeye in a cast iron skillet, the fat renders beautifully, creating a deliciously tasty crust. While it’s not the least expensive cut, it is still more affordable to make it yourself at home than to enjoy it in a restaurant.

Another favourite of ours is sirloin, mostly because of its versatility and affordability. It remains tender and juicy when cooked to medium rare and it’s lower in fat, making it a healthier choice. Cooking sirloin steak in a cast iron skillet allows it to develop a delicious crust while preserving its juicy interior. We reach for sirloin steak most often to serve sliced over a salad for lunch, to use in our favourite steak fajitas recipe, or for a date night-in!

Here are a few other choices we recommend for homemade steak:

1. New York Strip: Also referred to as a strip or sirloin steak, the New York strip is a great choice because of its balanced marbling and delicious flavour. It offers a leaner alternative to ribeye while still maintaining excellent tenderness. Cooking this cut in a cast iron skillet allows its natural flavours to shine through while achieving a beautifully caramelized crust.
2. Tenderloin or Filet Mignon: For those seeking the ultimate tenderness, the tenderloin cut, often referred to as filet mignon, is the best choice. It has a more delicate texture and a subtle, buttery flavour. While the tenderloin is naturally leaner than other cuts, searing it in a cast iron skillet helps it keep its moisture and enhances its mild, melt-in-your-mouth experience. The only drawback? It’s one of the most expensive cuts of beef so we reserve it for special occasions.
3. T-Bone: The T-bone steak offers the best of both worlds, featuring two cuts on either side of the bone—the tenderloin and the strip steak. This combination delivers a range of flavours and textures within a single piece of meat. When cooking a T-bone, the bone acts as a conductor of heat, contributing to a faster cooking time and a more evenly cooked and flavourful steak. T-Bone steaks are often large, making it more difficult to cook more than one at a time because of their size. For this reason, we prefer other cuts.

Remember, when selecting your steak, look for cuts that exhibit good marbling—a network of fat throughout the meat—as this contributes to both tenderness and flavour. We also recommend considering the thickness, which will affect the cooking time.

Wanna know everything there is to know about cooking the perfect, juicy steak in your own kitchen? Here are ALL the best tips, tricks and secrets to the BEST homemade steak!

Start with a high-quality cut. Ribeye, sirloin, and filet mignon are popular choices due to their flavour and tenderness.

Allow your steak to reach room temperature before cooking. This ensures even cooking. Lightly coat the steak with oil and season generously with salt and pepper.

Use some kitchen paper towel and pat the steak dry on all sides before seasoning it. This will help the outside to become crispy and caramelized. Any excess moisture on the outside will cause it to steam and without that caramelization on the exterior you won’t get the juiciest interior.

Too many seasonings can burn on the outside of the steak, so stick to salt and pepper but season it very generously! Flavours like herbs and garlic can be added later.

Use a cast-iron skillet for best results and heat it over high heat until it’s very hot. Don’t add the steak until the pan has fully preheated.

Don’t reach for the olive oil! Use a higher smoke-point oil if you have it, like canola oil, sunflower oil, or our favourite: avocado oil. These oils burn at a much higher temperature than butter or olive oil, so they’re ideal for high-heat searing because they won’t give your steak a burnt taste. They’re also neutral in flavour, so they won’t interfere with the steak’s natural flavours.

A mistake most home cooks make is trying to add too many spices and flavours to the outside of their steaks. Instead, add some whole garlic cloves (and even fresh herbs if you like) to the skillet along with the steak for the last minutes of cooking. The garlic will infuse the steak with its flavour but won’t burn like it would if it was rubbed onto the outside of the steak.

Place your steak in the skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes on one side until flipping it over. If the steak doesn’t easily release from the pan, leave it for another 30 seconds before trying again, but if you’ve oiled your pan and it’s nice and hot, this shouldn’t be a problem. Flip every 1-2 minutes for it to cook evenly and for a great sear on all sides.

The only way to achieve the perfect medium rare steak (or your desired doneness) is to use an instant-read thermometer to test the internal temperature while cooking. Aim for 129°F (54°C) for medium-rare or use our temperature chart and Steak Doneness Guide below!

In the last minute of cooking, add butter, garlic, and even fresh herbs to the pan. Baste the steak with the melted butter for added flavour.

Rest the steak for at least 5 to 10 minutes to make sure you get the juiciest steak ever. (The steak keeps cooking in the residual heat during this time, as well.) This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy steak. Never skip resting your steak after cooking. It’s crucial for a juicy, flavourful steak.

Serve with a small pat of garlic butter on top for even more delicious flavour. Garlic butter compliments a freshly cooked steak beautifully!

If you want to skip the cast iron skillet and make this delicious steak in your Air Fryer instead, you should DEFINITELY check out our Air Fryer Steak recipe with our ultimate guide to making the best juicy steak in the air fryer!

And if you’re as big a fan of your air fryer as you are of a delicious steak, you’ll want to check out our delicious Air Fryer Steak Fajitas and our favourite Air Fryer Steak Bites with fresh homemade Cowboy Butter too!

Here’s a list of some common issues you might encounter when making cast iron steak and how to fix them!

Make sure your pan is hot enough and your steak is dry before it hits the skillet. A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet also helps prevent sticking.

If your steak is cooking unevenly, it might not have been at room temperature before you started or your pan might not be distributing heat evenly. Make sure to let your steak sit out for about 30 minutes before cooking.

Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Remember, the steak will continue to cook slightly after it’s removed from the heat.

Don’t skimp on seasoning. A generous amount of salt and pepper is key. For added flavor, consider marinating your steak or using a dry rub.

Choose the right cut and don’t overcook it. Letting the steak rest after cooking also helps ensure tenderness.

Whether you’re looking for a medium rare steak or one that’s well done, the most important kitchen tool you’ll need to cook your perfect cast iron skillet steak at home is a digital instant-read thermometer. An instant-read thermometer allows you to test the internal temperature of the meat by inserting the probe into the centre – within a few seconds it will tell you the internal temperature so you know whether to continue cooking or to remove the steak from the heat.

Here is a list of our favourite instant-read thermometers at different price points. We’ve tested them all in The Busy Baker kitchen and they’ve stood up to years of heavy use (paid links):

• Lavatools Javelin Instant-Read Thermometer
• ThermoPro Instant-Read Thermometer
• OXO Good Grips Precision Instant-Read Thermometer

In addition to an Instant-Read Thermometer, you’ll need these basic kitchen items (paid links)

• a large cast iron skillet
• a pair of Tongs
• some measuring spoons

Tips for using your instant-read thermometer:

1. Be sure to insert the thermometer into the centre of the steak, not near the edge. This will give you an accurate reading of the central internal temperature.
2. Be careful not to push the probe too far into the steak so the end rests near the bottom. For an accurate reading, make sure the end of the probe rests exactly in the middle.
3. Cook similarly-sized steaks together and measure the internal temperature of each to ensure they’re done to you liking. Steaks of different thicknesses cook differently, and you don’t want to end up with some over-cooked and some under-cooked.

Be sure to use your instant-read thermometer and follow this guide for perfectly cooked medium rare steak OR just the way you like it!

Rare – deep red, cool centre	125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius)
Medium Rare – bright red, warm centre	129 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius)
Medium – pink, warm centre	145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius)
Medium Well – brown-grey centre with a hint of pink	150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius)
Well – brown centre, no pink	160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius)

Be sure to follow The Busy Baker on Pinterest and save this Steak Doneness Guide!

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect juicy medium rare steak (paid links):

• 3 ribeye or sirloin steaks 10-11 ounces (approximately 300 grams) each uncooked
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil or use canola or sunflower oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3-5 cloves garlic
• fresh thyme or rosemary optional
• flaky sea salt optional

Here are some of our favourite variations on this basic cast iron skillet steak recipe:

1. Garlic and Herb Butter: Cook as directed, then top the cooked steak with a pat of garlic and herb butter after cooking.

2. Cajun Spice Rub: Prepare a Cajun spice rub using a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Generously coat the steaks with the spice rub, ensuring it’s evenly distributed on both sides. Let sit overnight on a plate in the fridge. Cook as directed.

3. Asian-Inspired Soy Ginger: Create a marinade using soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, honey, sesame oil, and a splash of lime juice. Marinate the steak in the mixture for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. Pat dry and season before cooking as directed.
4. Teriyaki Glazed: Make a teriyaki glaze by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil. Brush the glaze onto the steak during the last minute of cooking.

Looking to make it a meal? Here’s a few menu ideas we recommend to serve with the perfect medium rare steak!

• Your favourite red wine
• Garlic Butter
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Wrapped Asparagus with Bacon
• Easy Homemade Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls
• Best Ever No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake

• Easy Fruity Party Punch
• Easy Caesar Salad
• Best Mashed Potatoes
• Homemade Dinner Rolls
• Garlic Butter
• Banana Birthday Cake with Chocolate Frosting

• Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
• Olive Garden Salad
• Best Ever Easy Chocolate Cake

Want more meal ideas? We’ve got TONS of meal plans in The Busy Baker Shop!

We hope you love this delicious recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, for what occasion would you make this cast iron skillet steak? We’d love to know!

• Best Mashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Cucumber Appetizers with Smoked Salmon
• Easy Caesar Salad
• Olive Garden Salad
• Panzanella Salad
• Easy Glazed Miso Salmon
• Quick and Easy Pasta al Limone
• Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
• Chocolate Lava Cake
• Best Ever No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
• Easy No Bake Oreo Cheesecake