Cast Iron Skillet Steak (2024)

Yumna Jawad
Updated

5 from 4218 votes

Cook the perfect steak every single time in your cast iron skillet. Cooked with garlic, butter and fresh herbs, it's easy and impressive!

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When you want to impress, this cast iron skillet steak recipe will not let you down! Perfect for date night or a special occasion, this steak turns out perfectly every single time. Seasoned with garlic and fresh herbs, this stovetop steak is easy and extra tasty.

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Ingredients for cooking steak

  • Steak: We like to use Ribeye or New York Strip steaks for this cooking method. For best results, they should be about 1 to 1 ½ inch in thickness.
  • Oil: We like to use avocado oil to cook the steak, but other high heat oils like vegetable or canola will work well.
  • Salt and pepper: To season the steaks.
  • Butter: Once the steaks are seared, butter is added to the skillet and it adds a delicious richness and helps to brown the beef.
  • Fresh herbs: Add in some fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme for added flavor.
  • Garlic: Smash the garlic cloves before adding to the skillet for a hint of flavor.
Cast Iron Skillet Steak (3)

How to cook steak in skillet

  1. Pat the steaks dry.
  2. Season with salt and pepper and place in a hot skillet.
  3. Sear the steaks on each side.
  4. Add the butter, garlic and herbs to the skillet.
Cast Iron Skillet Steak (4)
  • Spoon the melted butter over the top of the steaks until cooked to your doneness.
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Tips for cooking steak

  1. Make sure the steak comes to room temperature. This will take about 20-30 minutes and allows the steak to cook evenly on the inside and outside.
  2. Cook the steak on its sides if it’s a thick piece. This helps to render the white fat that can be on the edge of some steak cuts and sears the edges for more flavor.
  3. Make sure that the oil is hot before adding the steaks to the skillet. It should be shimmering when you add them in. If the oil is not hot enough, the steaks won’t sear properly.
  4. Allow the steaks to rest after cooking. Remove them from the skillet and loosley cover them with foil for at least 5 minutes. This will allow the fats to redistribute so that you have an extra juice steak.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should the steaks be when cooked?

For the best results, use an instant read thermometer to check when your steaks are cooked to your liking. As the steaks rest, they will continue to rise in temperature.
Medium rare: Take the steaks out when they hit 130F to rise to 135F
Medium well: Take the steaks out when they hit 145F to rise to 150F
Well done: Take the steaks out when they hit 155F to rise to 160F

What’s the best steak to cook n a skillet?

For this recipe, a cut that is around 1 to 1 ½ inches in thickness works best. Thicker cut steaks would need to be seared in the skillet and then finished off in the oven to cook through. Thinner steaks like skirt can be used and would require less cooking time.

What do you serve steak with?

This cast iron skillet steak is great to serve with potato, veggies and salad sides. Try it with:
Oven Baked French Fries
Green Beans with Almonds
Avocado Caprese Salad
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Vegetables
Cheesy Gouda Scalloped Potatoes

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This cast iron skillet steak recipe cooks perfect results every single time. It’s so easy to cook exactly to your liking, and it’s a great go to dinner recipe if you are looking to impress!

More dinner recipes:

  • Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken
  • Baked Feta Salmon
  • Easy Beef Stew
  • Lemon Parsley Baked Cod

If you try this healthy-ish feel good Cast Iron Skillet Steak recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget torate the recipeand leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it onInstagramso we can repost on Stories!

Cast Iron Skillet Steak (7)

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Cast Iron Skillet Steak

Cook the perfect steak every single time in your cast iron skillet. Cooked with garlic, butter and fresh herbs, it's easy and impressive!

5 from 4218 votes

Author Yumna Jawad

Servings 2 servings

Course Main Course

Calories 638

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Video

Ingredients

  • 2 Ribeye or New York Strip steaks about 1- 1 ½ in thickness
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
  • 2-4 garlic cloves smashed

Instructions

  • Allow the steaks to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Then pat them dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.

  • Heat avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering.

  • Place the steaks in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on one side without touching. Use tongs to flip the steaks and cook for 4 more minutes on the other side.

  • Reduce heat to medium-low, add butter, garlic and rosemary or thyme sprigs. Once the butter melts, tilt the skillet and spoon the butter over the steaks repeatedly until the steaks reach desired doneness, keeping in mind that the temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees after you remove from heat and the steaks rest.

  • Transfer the steaks to a plate or cutting board, and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. Serve with the melted butter, garlic and rosemary from the skillet.

Notes

Tip: Let the steak come to room temperature before seasoning and cooking.

Tip: Let the oil in the skillet get hot before adding the steaks.

Tip: Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 638kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 50g, Saturated Fat: 22g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 23g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 168mg, Sodium: 701mg, Potassium: 625mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 389IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Diet: Gluten Free

Cuisine American

Course: Main Course

Cast Iron Skillet Steak (2024)

FAQs

How long do you cook steak in a cast iron skillet? ›

Steak Cooking Time Chart
DonenessTemp1 1/4"
Medium Rare135°F6 min
Medium / Medium Well150°F8 min
7 min
Well Done160°F12 min
4 more rows
Feb 16, 2024

How to get the best sear on steak cast iron? ›

Searing steak comes down to a few important factors: Reduce the moisture, use a hot skillet and flip the steak as it cooks. It's as simple as that! When you do it right, the meat's surface browns and caramelizes. Your steak will have a gorgeous, delicious crust.

Do you use butter or oil when cooking a steak in a cast iron skillet? ›

A scorching skillet delivers the best sear when cooking steak in a cast iron skillet. Add 1–2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or butter to the pan (enough to coat the bottom) and immediately place your steak in the hot skillet.

Is it better to cook steak with butter or oil? ›

WHICH IS BEST FOR COOKING STEAK: BUTTER OR OIL? Unlike butter, many oils have higher smoke points, making them the better option for cooking steak. Furthermore, there are some oils e.g. olive oil or grape seed oil that are healthier alternatives to butter. However, don't expect oil to taste better than butter.

How long to flip steak on cast iron? ›

Place your steak on the skillet and be careful of the heat! Sear the steak for two minutes, then flip to sear the opposite side for two more minutes.

Can you cook steak with olive oil and butter? ›

Fresh garlic, good olive oil, unsalted butter and maybe a fresh herb or two is all you need. If you have a cast iron or heavy skillet, that will be preferable to a non-stick pan. The cast iron will give your steak a perfect sear—and that equals flavor.

How long for medium rare steak? ›

As a rule of thumb (for a steak 22mm thick) – cook 2 minutes each side for rare, 3-4 mins each side for medium-rare and 4-6 mins each side for medium. For well done, cook for 2-4 minutes each side, then turn the heat down and cook for another 4-6 minutes.

How do you keep steak from sticking to cast iron? ›

Prior to cooking, add about a teaspoon of oil to your skillet and heat it gradually on the stovetop or in the oven to help reduce sticking. After cooking, allow the cookware to cool, then use a pan scraper to remove stuck-on food, scrub with a nylon brush or nonscratch pad, hand dry, and add a generous layer of oil.

How to make steak tender and juicy? ›

7 Ways to Tenderize Steak
  1. Pounding. Using a meat mallet (or kitchen mallet) to pound steaks helps soften and tenderize the meat. ...
  2. Salting. Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. ...
  3. Marinating. ...
  4. Velveting. ...
  5. Slow Cooking. ...
  6. Enzymatic Application. ...
  7. Scoring.
Oct 18, 2022

How to cook a steak in a cast iron skillet without oil? ›

Absolutely! A cast-iron skillet is a great tool for cooking steak without oil. Preheat your skillet on medium-high heat and season your steak with salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings. Place the steak in the skillet and let it sear for a few minutes on each side.

How long should you cook a steak in a cast iron skillet? ›

Heat avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it's shimmering. Place the steaks in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on one side without touching. Use tongs to flip the steaks and cook for 4 more minutes on the other side.

How do you get the best crust on a cast iron steak? ›

Place the steak in the preheated pan toward one side, and let cook for 3 to 5 minutes, pressing down gently to ensure even contact between the steak and the pan. Using tongs, flip the steak over to the other side of the pan, and continue cooking. You should wind up with a nice, even crust after another 3 to 5 minutes.

How long to cook steak on each side in skillet? ›

Depending on the thickness of your steak:
  1. Rare to Medium-Rare Steak: two to three minutes per side over medium-high heat.
  2. Medium-Rare to Medium Steak: three to four minutes per side.
  3. Medium to Well-Done: four to five minutes per side.

How to cook a 2 inch thick steak in a pan? ›

Directions
  1. Step 1Salt steak and rest for 45 minutes.
  2. Step 2In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season steak with pepper on both sides. When oil is just about to smoke, add steak. Cook 7 minutes, then flip and add butter. ...
  3. Step 3Remove from pan and let rest 5 minutes before cutting.
Jan 16, 2024

How long to cook 1 inch steak? ›

SIRLOIN STRIP STEAKS, RIBEYE STEAKS & PORTERHOUSE STEAKS
ThicknessRare 110 to 120 FMedium 130 to 140 F
1"4 minutes EACH SIDE6 minutes EACH SIDE
1.25"4.5 minutes EACH SIDE6.5 minutes EACH SIDE
1.5"5 minutes EACH SIDE7 minutes EACH SIDE
1.75"5.5 minutes EACH SIDE7.5 minutes EACH SIDE
1 more row

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