Did you know that red meat is loaded with energizing nutrients like iron and zinc? There's never been a better reason to choose steak as the centerpiece of your next dinner. But to get the most flavorful results, you'll need to be mindful when it comes to how you season your cuts of meat.
Whether you're grilling or pan-searing steaks, the right preliminary steps and finishing touches can make a big difference. Read on to learn about 7 effective tips for seasoning a steak!
1. Use the Right Kinds of Salt
If you love grilling steak, make sure to reach for the Kosher salt first. Kosher salt is preferable to typical table salt because its large grains can be absorbed better than the grains in other types of salt. With Kosher salt, you'll end up with a juicy, tender, and flavorful steak.
Generously apply the Kosher salt to your raw steaks before placing them on the grill. Once your steaks have been grilled to perfection, finish them with some sea salt for added crunch.
2. Crack Some Pepper on Your Steak
Fresh cracked pepper is a reliable choice when you're seasoning a steak. It's most effective when used in tandem with salt. The salt helps pull the moisture from the steak, and that helps the pepper stick to your raw meat.
Especially with a well-done steak, err on the side of adding ample pepper and salt. That way, you'll end up with a tasty crust on your cooked steak. You also can wait until your steak has finished cooking and crack some pepper for a final touch.
3. Go with Brown Sugar
For another simple seasoning solution, turn to brown sugar. While brown sugar might sound like it imparts too much sweetness, that's not the case. The brown sugar provides a caramelized crust that introduces just enough sweetness.
Mix some salt and a touch of cayenne in with your brown sugar before rubbing it into your raw meat. To increase the effectiveness of the brown sugar, pat your steak dry before applying it. This removes moisture and will help the steaks develop a smoky sweet crust.
4. Embrace Butter
Butter makes everything better — including steaks. The next time you're preparing steaks for the family, keep a stick of butter nearby. If you're grilling steaks, you can toss on a pat of butter when your steaks are nearing ideal doneness.
If you're cooking a medium-rare steak in a pan, introduce butter and a few dried herbs after you've seared your steak. The Golden Steer's compound butter options include flavors such as tarragon, roasted garlic, and lemon juice. Choose from among three flavor combinations that will enhance the richness of your steak.
You can turn down the heat and baste your steak with butter to infuse it with more flavor for a few minutes. Just be sure to let your steak rest before diving in!
5. Try a Marinade
When you have some time to spare, a marinade makes a great seasoning choice for your steaks. Marinades can make leaner cuts of meat taste juicier and more tender. And much like working with herbs and spices, you won't be limited when it comes to marinade ingredient combinations.
The key is to give your steaks plenty of time to bathe in the marinade. Set aside at least 30 minutes to let your steaks marinate in a bag in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can let them marinate for several hours.
Choose a blend of olive oil, lemon, and soy sauce for a bright and tangy flavor combination. Balsamic vinegar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce also make great additions to a marinade.
6. Rub Your Steak in Garlic
Garlic makes a delicious steak seasoning, too. Best of all, you can use it at just about any stage in the cooking process.
For instance, you can add chopped garlic to your butter sauce and let your steaks absorb the flavor when cooking in a pan. Toss some thyme into your butter to introduce even more flavor. Just be sure to stir the flavorful sauce to avoid burning the garlic.
You also can introduce garlic at the end of cooking steak. If you're grilling steaks, consider grilling some foil packets of garlic at the same time. After they've softened, open the packets and apply the garlicky pulp to your grilled steaks.
As an alternative, once you've finished grilling a steak, grab a piece of cut raw garlic and rub it across the surface of your steak. This is an easy last-minute way to enhance the flavor of your meat.
7. Create Your Own Spice Blend
Finally, consider making a steak seasoning blend that you can have on hand. Consider combining paprika, brown sugar, salt, and thyme, for example. Or spice things up with cumin, coriander, or chili powder.
These classic flavor combinations will result in the perfect dry rub options. Then, when you're reading to cook, you'll have a go-to rub you can apply to the surface of your steaks. Give your steaks about 15 minutes to rest and soak in the flavors before grilling.
You could try making your own salt blend, as well. Reach for fresh herbs like rosemary and chop them finely. You'll love tasting the piney essence of rosemary-infused salt when you apply this blend to your next steak.
To make matters easier, turn to the Golden Steer's seasoning collection for hand-crafted combinations that will enhance your steaks. Experiment with different options!
Follow These Tips for Seasoning a Steak
Seasoning a steak properly can elevate your dining experience. Turn to salt and pepper for classic and simple ways to enhance the flavor and juiciness of your meat. Or try spice blends, marinades, and butter to create the perfect level of seasoning.
When you're ready to elevate your steak preparation with the best cuts and seasonings, contact us so we can help!
