How to Cook Porterhouse in the Oven

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Photo by Neeta Lind is marked with CC BY 2.0

Porterhouse steak is a unique cut of beef that includes two types of steaks: strip steak and tenderloin. It’s cut in the same way as the popular T-bone, but the porterhouse is larger in size. Don’t let this oversized piece of steak intimidate you though; it’s 100% possible to learn how to cook porterhouse in the oven in just a few steps.


Follow along with our guide to learn how. 

Preparing Porterhouse for the Oven

Before cooking porterhouse steak in the oven, take a few minutes to prepare your kitchen. You’ll need a rimmed baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking spray, a cast-iron skillet, a meat thermometer, and an oven rack moved to the middle of the oven.

About 45 minutes prior to cooking, salt your steaks. Then, leave them at room temperature. The salt will create a brine that allows the steaks to crisp in the skillet and oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and your skillet to high heat when you’re ready to start cooking.

Oven-Cooked Porterhouse Cooking Time

Porterhouse is a bigger version of T-bone steak, so you can expect that it should take just a few minutes longer to cook, especially if it’s on the thicker side. Generally, porterhouse steak takes 3-5 minutes on each side to sear in a pan. Once in the oven, you’ll need another 10-20 minutes for it to reach medium-rare. An oven-cooked porterhouse should be ready in 60-90 minutes with preparation and resting time. 

Final Temperature

Use the chart below to determine the right temperature range for your porterhouse steak. Refer to the first temperature range for your preferred doneness level to know when to remove the porterhouse from the oven. After resting, it should reach the second temperature range.

DonenessTemperature to Remove from OvenFinal Temperature
Medium-rare120-125℉130-135℉
Medium130-135℉140-145℉
Medium-well140-145℉150-155℉
Well-done150-155℉160-165℉

Medium Rare Porterhouse

Medium-rare is the most common doneness level for porterhouse steak. To cook it yourself, first sear the steak in a cast-iron skillet, allowing each side to crisp up in about 3-5 minutes. Then, transfer the steak to a rimmed baking sheet to cook in the oven for 10-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Check the temperature with a digital thermometer. Then, let rest for 5-10 minutes on a plate tented with foil before serving.

Oven Cooking Tips for Porterhouse

Try the tips below to find the perfect porterhouse to cook in the oven and get the results you expect.

Season It First

Just about any steak can benefit from a generous portion of salt, and porterhouse is no exception to the rule. Salt adds a lot of flavor to steak that pleases the palate. But more importantly, salt allows the steak to brine. Add salt to both sides of the steak and let it sit for 45 minutes. After this brining process, your porterhouse steak will crisp up when you sear it.

Sear It Before Baking

While you’re waiting for the oven to heat, warm up a skillet with butter or oil to sear your porterhouse steak. It takes just a few minutes on each side to brown up. The sear locks juices in the steak to prevent them from escaping in the oven. It also gives the porterhouse a crisp texture on the outside and loads of flavor.

Check the Temperature 

Your steak might look finished on the outside, but that doesn’t always mean that the inside is the temperature you want. Use a thermometer to get the most accurate reading for your porterhouse steak. Remove the steak from the oven when it reaches the first temperature range in the chart above for your desired doneness level (120-125℉ for medium-rare). Then, recheck the temperature after cooking and resting to ensure you’ve fully cooked the inside to your liking (medium-rare should read 130-135℉). 

Choosing the Right Cut

Confused about all of your options for buying porterhouse steak? Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Dry-aged: Dry aging typically takes up to six weeks. The aging process gives the steak time to tenderize and get more flavor. 
  • Wet-aged: Wet aging has a similar effect on steak as dry aging but it doesn’t take as long to complete. However, it keeps more moisture in the steak. Wet-aged steaks are generally more affordable than dry-aged steaks.
  • USDA Prime: USDA Prime is the top grade for steak from the USDA. It indicates the best quality marbling as it comes from young, well-fed cattle.
  • Premium Angus: A bit more affordable than USDA Prime, Premium Angus steaks are labeled as USDA Choice. They typically have moderate marbling. 

Oven Cooking Porterhouse Instructions

Read through these steps to learn how to cook porterhouse in the oven. Then, follow along with the recipe below to get started.

Step 1: Prepare for Cooking

First, you’ll need to set the porterhouse steaks on a clean plate or cutting board at room temperature about 45 minutes before you’re ready to cook them. Salt each side generously and then set the steaks aside to brine. 

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside. Move an oven rack to the middle of the oven. Add one tablespoon of butter or oil to a cast-iron skillet, and heat it to high after the steak brines. 

Step 2: Sear the Porterhouse

Sprinkle steaks with black pepper or your other favorite seasonings. Move steaks to the pan and sear for 3-5 minutes on one side. You should see the bottom side begin to brown. Flip the steaks over with tongs and sear for another 3-5 minutes until golden brown. 

Step 3: Cook It In the Oven

Transfer steaks to the baking sheet and move them into the oven on the middle rack. Cook for 10-20 minutes. How long your steak needs depends on its thickness and your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature at 10 minutes. Medium-rare steak should reach 120-125℉. For medium or medium-well steak, you will probably need closer to 20-30 minutes.

Step 4: Rest Your Porterhouse

Once your steak hits the right temperature range, remove it from the oven and transfer the steaks to a clean plate to rest. Place foil loosely tented over the steaks, and rest for 5-10 minutes. According to the chart above, use your thermometer to ensure the steak reaches the temperature range for your preferred doneness.

Oven-Cooked Porterhouse Recipe

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 40-50 minutes

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Season steaks on both sides with salt. Leave at room temperature for 45 minutes to brine. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and preheat a skillet with oil or butter over high heat. Spray cooking spray on a rimmed baking sheet and set aside. 
  • Sprinkle pepper on porterhouse steaks. Sear the steak on each side for 3-5 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms. 
  • Transfer steaks to the baking sheet. Cook on the middle rack in the oven for 10-20 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. Check the thickest part of the meat with a thermometer. 
  • Move the steaks onto a clean plate. Tent them with a piece of aluminum foil and rest for 5-10 minutes.

Other Ways to Cook Porterhouse

To vary your cooking methods, try using one of these other ways to cook porterhouse, too:

  • Grilled porterhouse steak
  • Sous vide porterhouse steak
  • Reverse seared porterhouse steak
  • Pan-seared porterhouse steak
  • Slow-cooked porterhouse steak

Your Guide to Cooking Porterhouse Steak in the Oven

Cooking porterhouse steak in the oven at home can be a more affordable and simpler way to enjoy this cut compared to eating at a restaurant. Browse Chicago Steak Company’s selection of porterhouse steaks that you can order online and get delivered to your door. We offer Premium Angus and dry-aged or wet-aged USDA Prime porterhouse steaks.

cooked porterhouse steak served with salad

Oven-Cooked Porterhouse Steak

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Course Main Course
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 porterhouse steaks
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 tbsp butter or oil

Instructions
 

  • Season steaks on both sides with salt. Leave at room temperature for 45 minutes to brine. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and preheat a skillet with oil or butter over high heat. Spray cooking spray on a rimmed baking sheet and set aside
  • Sprinkle pepper on porterhouse steaks. Sear the steak on each side for 3-5 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms
  • Transfer steaks to the baking sheet. Cook on the middle rack in the oven for 10-20 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. Check the thickest part of the meat with a thermometer
  • Move the steaks onto a clean plate. Tent them with a piece of aluminum foil and rest for 5-10 minutes