Cast Iron Steak Recipe | Tender, Perfectly Juicy Steak In Minutes! (2024)

This easy cast iron steak recipe makes the most tender and juicy steaks with a perfect sear. Just warm your skillet and cook up the best steaks of your life in 20 minutes. You won’t find a better way to make steak!

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Cast Iron Steak Recipe
• Recipe Ingredients
• How to Cook a Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet
• At What Temperature is Steak Done?
• Tips for Success
• What To Serve With Cast Iron Steak
• How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
• More Easy Beef Dinner Ideas
• Get the Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Cast Iron Steak Recipe

• Easy: Simpler than heating up the grill, cooking steak in cast iron is a simple and quick process. Your steak will be ready in minutes and you will only have one pan to clean.
• Cast Iron: Unlike other kinds of pans, a cast iron pan retains heat consistently at a high temperature. This creates a chemical reaction, called the Maillard reaction, resulting in a well-browned, flavorful crust on your steak.
• Juicy: If you follow our steps for using room temperature steak and allowing it to rest after cooking, you will have a perfect tender and juicy steak!

Looking for more ways to make steak? Try our recipes for air fryer steak bites, chicken fried steak and how to cook a skirt steak!

Recipe Ingredients

Here is a quick look at what you’ll need to cook steak in a cast iron skillet. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

• Steak: We used a New York Strip, but this method works with any cut. Choose a thick steak that is at least 1-inch thick, with 1.5-inch thick being the goal. A thin steak will cook too quickly and become tough. Steaks thicker than 1.5-inch may need to be finished in the oven. (Directions below in tips section.)
• Steak Seasoning: Try our homemade steak seasoning, or this Montreal steak seasoning is our favorite store-bought version.
• Avocado Oil: If you use a different oil, ensure it has a high smoke point. Do not use olive oil as it will burn!
• Butter: You can use regular butter, or go for more flavor with garlic herb butter!
• Worcestershire Sauce

How to Cook a Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet

Are you ready to make a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked steak? Scroll to the recipe card at bottom of the post for full detailed instructions.

• Season the steak. Then let it come to room temperature.
• Heat oil a cast iron skillet over high heat. Gently place the steaks in the oil. Move them around a bit so they don’t stick in the hot pan.
• Sear steak on each side for 2 minutes. Continue cooking until your steak reaches your desired level of doneness. Then add the Worcestershire sauce and the butter.
• Let the steaks rest. Remove the steaks from the skillet and loosely cover with foil to rest for at least 5 minutes.
• Serve. Drizzle any leftover sauce from the skillet onto the steaks when serving.

At What Temperature is Steak Done?

We recommend using an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak for doneness. This ensures you do not under or overcook your steak. Here are the approximate cooking times and temperatures:

• 9 to 12 minutes = rare 120°F to 130°F
• 11 to 13 minutes = medium rare 130°F to 140°F
• 13 to 16 minutes = medium 140°F to 145°F
• 15 to 19 minutes = medium well 145°F to 155°F

Tips for Success

These three important tips will ensure your steak turns out perfectly!

• Room Temperature: Letting your steak come to room temperature before cooking is very important. Room temperature steaks will cook in less time, giving the meat less time to lose moisture while cooking, making it juicier. Additionally, a cold steak will contract more when you put it on the grill, pushing more of the juices out.
• Rest: After your steaks have finished cooking, wrapped them in foil and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes. As the steak rests, the muscle fibers that have constricted during cooking can relax. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the steak, ensuring each bite is tender and juicy.
• Finish In Oven: If your steak is thicker than 1 1/2 inches, you will likely need to finish them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F before you start cooking. After searing the steaks on each side, transfer them in the cast iron skillet into the oven. Cook until they reach your desired temperature.

What To Serve With Cast Iron Steak

Looking for some side dishes to serve with your cast iron skillet steak? Here are some of our favorites:

• Potatoes: The phrase “steak and potatoes” is a cultural norm for a reason! We recommend roasted sweet potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes or these roasted baby potatoes. This twice baked potato casserole is a great fancier option!
• Veggies: We love this classic roasted broccoli, these southern style green beans with bacon or these easy bacon Brussel sprouts.
• Salad: A shaved brussels sprouts salad or refreshing cucumber tomato salad would also be delicious!
• Bread: A side of homemade garlic bread or beer bread are great with a steak.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Fridge: Let your steak cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Place cooled steak in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm steak in microwave for about 1 minute, until heated through. For best results, reheat in an air fryer at 325°F for 2 to 3 minutes, until warmed through.

More Easy Beef Dinner Ideas

• Crockpot Beef Stew
• Skirt Steak Marinade
• Air Fryer London Broil
• Beef Tips and Gravy
• Salisbury Steak
• Smothered Cube Steak