How to Cook the Perfect Medium Well Steak: Step-by-Step Guide
Cooking the perfect medium well steak requires a balance between achieving a juicy interior and a well-seared crust. Many steak lovers find medium well to be the sweet spot where the meat is cooked through but still retains some moisture and flavor. Mastery of this doneness level involves understanding the right techniques, timing, and temperature control.
From selecting the right cut to resting the steak after cooking, every step plays a crucial role. This guide will walk you through the entire process, providing practical tips and expert advice to help you cook a medium well steak that’s tender, flavorful, and satisfying.
Choosing the Right Cut for a Medium Well Steak
Not every steak cut is ideal for medium well cooking. Some cuts dry out quickly, while others maintain juiciness better under longer cooking times.
For medium well, thicker cuts such as ribeye, sirloin, or New York strip work best. These cuts have a good balance of fat and muscle that allows them to stay tender even when cooked beyond medium.
Filet mignon is also an option, but because it is leaner, you need to be cautious with cooking times to avoid dryness. Knowing your cut helps anticipate how it will react to heat and how much resting it will need.
Preparing Your Steak Before Cooking
Bringing the Steak to Room Temperature
Remove the steak from the refrigerator about 30 to 60 minutes before cooking. Letting it reach room temperature ensures more even cooking and prevents the outside from overcooking while the inside warms up.
Seasoning for Maximum Flavor
Generously season your steak with salt and freshly ground black pepper just before cooking. Salt enhances the natural flavors and helps create a savory crust when seared.
Optionally, you can add garlic powder, smoked paprika, or fresh herbs like rosemary for an extra flavor boost. However, simplicity often works best to let the meat’s natural taste shine.
Essential Tools and Ingredients
To cook a perfect medium well steak, you’ll need the right tools and ingredients. A heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan is ideal for even heat distribution and excellent searing.
A meat thermometer is essential to accurately gauge the internal temperature. This eliminates guesswork and helps avoid overcooking.
Other helpful tools include tongs for flipping, a basting brush if you plan to use butter and herbs, and a resting rack or plate to hold the steak after cooking.
Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Step 1: Preheat Your Pan or Grill
Preheat your pan over medium-high heat until it’s smoking hot. A properly heated surface is crucial for creating a beautiful, caramelized crust.
If using a grill, ensure the grates are clean and preheated to high. This initial heat jump-starts the Maillard reaction, delivering deep flavor and texture.
Step 2: Add Oil and Place the Steak
Add a small amount of high smoke point oil, such as avocado or grapeseed oil, to the pan. Swirl to coat evenly.
Place the steak gently in the pan or on the grill. Avoid moving the steak immediately to allow a crust to form.
Step 3: Sear the First Side
Let the steak cook undisturbed for about 3 to 4 minutes on the first side. The exact time depends on thickness but aim for a deep brown crust.
Use tongs to peek at the underside for color development. If the crust is not yet formed, give it more time.
Step 4: Flip and Sear the Other Side
Flip the steak carefully and sear the second side for another 3 to 4 minutes. This ensures both sides have an even crust.
For added flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter, crushed garlic cloves, and fresh thyme or rosemary to the pan at this stage. Tilt the pan and baste the steak with the melted butter.
Step 5: Lower Heat and Continue Cooking
After searing, reduce the heat to medium or medium-low to finish cooking the steak gently. This prevents the outside from burning while the inside reaches the desired medium well temperature.
Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on steak thickness. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature closely.
Step 6: Check Internal Temperature
The key to perfect medium well steak is internal temperature. Medium well is typically between 150°F to 155°F (65°C to 68°C).
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak. Once it reads within this range, remove the steak from heat immediately.
Step 7: Resting the Steak
Resting is crucial to allow the juices to redistribute evenly inside the meat. Cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Cutting into the steak too soon will cause the flavorful juices to escape, resulting in a dry steak. Patience here makes a significant difference.
Tips for Perfecting Your Medium Well Steak
Use a Meat Thermometer
Relying on visual cues alone can be misleading. A digital instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness.
Probe multiple spots if your steak is thick to get an accurate reading.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
Cooking multiple steaks at once is tempting, but overcrowding lowers the pan temperature. This prevents proper searing and leads to steaming rather than crust formation.
Experiment with Butter Basting
Basting with butter and herbs during the last few minutes adds richness and aroma. It also helps brown the steak evenly.
Use a spoon to continuously drizzle the melted butter over the steak while it finishes cooking.
Consider the Thickness
Thicker steaks require longer cooking times and more attention to temperature. Thin steaks cook rapidly and can easily become overdone.
Adjust your timing accordingly and always verify doneness with a thermometer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes is cooking the steak straight from the fridge. Cold meat cooks unevenly and toughens the exterior.
Another error is skipping the resting phase. Resting allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb juices, making your steak juicy and tender.
Using too high heat throughout the entire cooking process can burn the exterior while leaving the inside undercooked. Start high for searing, then lower the heat to finish.
Serving Suggestions for Medium Well Steak
A perfectly cooked medium well steak pairs beautifully with a range of sides. Classic options include garlic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
For added indulgence, serve with a compound butter, such as garlic herb butter, or a rich sauce like béarnaise or peppercorn sauce. These enhance the flavor without overpowering the steak.
Don’t forget to slice the steak against the grain for maximum tenderness when serving.
Practical Example: Cooking a 1.5-Inch Ribeye Medium Well
Start by letting your 1.5-inch ribeye sit at room temperature for 45 minutes. Preheat your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it smokes lightly.
Season the steak generously with salt and pepper. Add a tablespoon of avocado oil to the pan and place the steak in it without moving for 4 minutes.
Flip the steak, add 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 smashed garlic cloves, and a sprig of rosemary to the pan. Baste the steak continuously for 4 minutes while the butter melts.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for an additional 4 minutes, checking the internal temperature frequently. When the thermometer reads 152°F, remove the steak from the pan.
Rest the steak on a cutting board covered loosely with foil for 7 minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy a perfectly cooked medium well ribeye.
Conclusion
Cooking the perfect medium well steak is an achievable goal with the right preparation, tools, and attention to detail. Selecting the right cut, seasoning properly, and mastering the sear and cooking temperatures are all essential steps.
Using a meat thermometer to monitor doneness and allowing the steak to rest after cooking ensures a juicy and flavorful result. With practice, you can consistently deliver steaks cooked to medium well perfection that satisfy both your taste buds and those of your guests.
Follow this step-by-step guide and don’t be afraid to adjust based on your equipment and steak thickness. The more you cook, the more intuitive it becomes. Enjoy the process and the delicious rewards!