How To Keep Steak Warm
Warm steak is the best steak. Cold steak is dry, chewy, and tasteless. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your steak warm after cooking it, wonder no more!
Here are a few methods that will help you keep your delicious piece of meat warm and juicy.
Why You May Need To Keep Steak Warm
The reason for keeping steak warm after cooking is to ensure that it maintains its moisture and flavor.
Keeping steak warm prevents it from drying out or becoming flavorless. This is because the heat helps to keep the juices inside the meat, making it more tender and juicy when served.
It also helps to keep the steak at the optimal temperature for serving, ensuring that each bite is flavorful and delicious.
By using an oven, slow cooker, or food warmer to keep steak warm, you can ensure that it is served at the perfect temperature and flavor.
Best ways to keep steak warm
There are a few different ways that you can keep your steak warm. You can preheat your oven to 200°F, put it in a slow cooker, or use an electric warmer.
Oven
To keep steak warm in the oven on a baking sheet, preheat the oven to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the steak on a wire rack so that heat can circulate around it evenly to help prevent it from drying out.
You can also use heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a blanket-like tent for the steak on a baking sheet.
Slow cooker
If you need to keep steak warm for an extended period of time, a slow cooker or crock pot is an excellent option.
To do this, preheat the crock pot to the “warm” setting, and then place the steak in the bottom of the cooker, making sure not to put it on top of any vegetables or other ingredients.
This will help to ensure that the steak is evenly heated and that it stays moist and tender.
When you are ready to serve the steak, quickly finish cooking it by either grilling it on the barbecue or frying it in a pan. Doing this will give you a perfectly cooked steak every time!
Electric warmer
If you want to keep steak warm in an electric warmer, you can use a food warmer. Most department stores sell electric food warmers with a removable tray that catches any dripping for easy cleaning.
When using the electric warmer, make sure to place the steak in the middle of the tray for even heat distribution.
This will help keep the steak warm without overcooking or drying it out.
How long to keep steak warm
How long to keep the steak warm depends on the size of the steak. A thick steak can be kept warm in an oven for up to 2 hours, while a thinner steak can stay warm for about 1 hour.
If using a slow cooker, the steak can stay warm for up to 3 hours. To ensure the steak doesn’t overcook, it is best to prepare the rest of the meal first and then place the steak into the oven or slow cooker right before serving.
Steak can stay warm in a food warmer for up to 3 hours. However, to avoid the steak from drying out, it is important to keep it warm for no longer than 15 minutes, including resting time.
What temperature to keep steak warm at
The best temperature to keep steak warm is around 200° Fahrenheit. This temperature will keep the steak moist, while also preventing it from drying out.
Any temperature higher than this may cause the steak to become overcooked and ruin the taste.
Keeping your steak warm at the right temperature can be crucial in not making your steak chewy and tough. Do you find yourself asking, “Why is my steak chewy?” Learn more about what the causes are and how to prevent them.
How to Rest the Steak
The best way to rest steak is to first remove it from the heated burner, out of the oven, or off the grill has once done cooking.
Transfer the steak to a warm plate or cutting board. Trap some heat by tenting the steak with aluminum foil for the appropriate rest time. Remove the foil and slice the steak. Promptly serve and enjoy!
It’s important to remember not to wrap the steak up in the foil as it rests, as this will steam the steak and increase its temperature.
During the resting period, the goal is to let the steak cool just enough to allow the juices to return to the outer edges of the cooked meat – which should take between 5 and 7 minutes.
Recommended Serving Temperatures For Grilled Steak
Grilled steak can be enjoyed at a variety of doneness levels, depending on personal preference.
The recommended temperatures for grilled steak are:
Chart of steak doneness temperatures
| Doneness level | Temperature | Color | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 120°F | Cool red center | Very tender and soft |
| Medium-rare | 130°F | Warm red center | Melt-in-your-mouth |
| Medium | 140°F | Hot ink center | Slightly firm |
| Medium-well | 150°F | Mostly brown with a hint of pink | Firm |
| Well | 160°F | Brown-grey center | Very dry and firm |
When grilling steak, it is important to factor in the carryover cooking and remove the steak from the grill when its internal temperature is between 3-5 degrees Fahrenheit under its ideal serving temperature.
After removing the steak from the grill, allow it to rest for 5 minutes per inch of thickness of the steak.
it is important to know how to tell when grilled steak is done so that you do not overcook your steak.
This will allow the steak to cool to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit so that the juices are not expelled when checked with a thermometer.
Lastly, steaks should be reheated at a low temperature (around 250 degrees Fahrenheit) to keep them juicy and pink.
