Perfectly Seared Steaks

ID: 8faf8de1...

Discover the secret to a perfect steak sear using an unexpected ingredient: cornstarch. This method ensures an incredibly dry surface, leading to a deep, flavorful crust without overcooking the interior, thanks to a brief trip to the freezer.

Waiting for video to load...

Ready to begin once video loads
Cooking Time
About 50 minutes (includes 30 minutes of freezing)
Difficulty
medium
Servings
Serves 4

🍳 Cooking Flow

Pat steaks completely dry with paper towels. → Combine cornstarch and kosher salt, then rub the mixture all over the steaks. → Place steaks on a wire rack over a baking sheet. → Freeze for 30 minutes until very firm. → Grill the steaks to your desired doneness and let them rest before slicing.

Cooking Steps

Analyzing cooking steps...

Ingredients List

Boneless strip steaks (about 1.5 inches thick):4 (about 1 lb each)
Cornstarch:1 tablespoon
Kosher salt:2 tablespoons
Black pepper:To taste (for grilling)

Important Notes

⚠️

Using thick-cut steaks (about 1.5 inches) is crucial as it allows enough time to form a good crust before the inside overcooks.

⚠️

A completely dry surface is the key to achieving a deep brown sear rather than a steamed, grey exterior.

⚠️

Freezing the steaks makes the exterior cold and firm, which protects the interior from overcooking during the high-heat searing process.

⚠️

The wire rack is important because as the salt draws out moisture, the rack prevents the steaks from sitting in that liquid and becoming soggy.

📺Channel:America's Test Kitchen
👀Views:6,760,818
👍Likes:17,911
📅Published:4/26/2012

Community Comments

Please log in to join the conversation and earn XP!

Loading comments...