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How to Cook Your Steak – Quick Guide

Thawing
If frozen, thaw your steak in a pan under refrigeration for about 24 hours to catch any natural drippings.

Season & Handle
Season just before cooking. Always use tongs when flipping—never a fork, which can puncture the steak and lose some of those flavorful juices.

Resting
After cooking, let your steak rest for at least 5 minutes so the juices redistribute evenly.

Steak Cooking Tips

Below are a few additional pointers to help you get the most out of your steak:

1. Know the cut.
Steaks are most tender and flavorful when cooked to the proper doneness- avoid overcooking.

2. Preheat well.
Your grill or broiler to hot. Charcoal should be ashen gray; cast iron should be hot but not smoking.

3. Season simply.
Salt and pepper are all you need- or elevate the flavor with Chicago Steak Company Seasoning.

4. Lightly oil the surface.
This helps prevent sticking and promotes a proper sear.

5. Sear the first side.
Cook until juices begin to bead on the surface, using the Steak Cooking Chart as a guide.

6. Flip & Finish.
The second side cooks faster, so keep a close eye on it.

7. Check Doneness.

• Rare: 120°–125° F (very soft; cool red center)
• Medium Rare: ~130-135°F (springy, warm red center)
• Medium: 140°–145°F (slight resistance; warm pink center)
• Well Done: ~160° (firm; little to no pink)

Make sure to measure temperatures at the thickest part of the steak and keep in mind steak temperature will rise 5–10°F during resting (carryover cooking).

8. Rest & serve.
Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before serving for a juicy, flavorful result.

See our Steak Cooking Chart for more information.

Wine & Steak Pairing

The Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most common wines you'll see at a dinner party. It's not only considered the best red wine to have with steak, but also one of the most well received wines overall. Cabernet Sauvignon tends to stand out with its fruity flavors that give contrast to the beefy flavors. Red wines pair well with more marbled steaks because the fat will decrease how much you taste the bitterness