The Definitive Guide to Steak

  • Photo of ribeye Ribeye
  • Photo of strip Strip
  • Photo of tenderloin Tenderloin
  • Photo of porterhouse Porterhouse
  • Photo of hanger Hanger
  • Photo of skirt Skirt
  • Photo of short rib Short Rib
  • Photo of flap Flap
  • Photo of flank Flank
  • Photo of tri-tip Tri-Tip

Proven techniques, dozens of carefully honed recipes, and your FAQs, answered: All the methods and tips you need to make perfect steak, each and every time.

CHOOSE A CUT

—   or   —

CHOOSE A METHOD

—   or   —

VIEW TECHNIQUES
AND FAQS  »

Steak Recipes

*Note: See recipes for a cut or method you didn't pick? That's because most of our steak recipes work with more than one cut or method. View the full recipe for complete instructions and substitutions.

Salads

Steak and Corn Salad With Salsa Verde

A refreshing but hearty salad with steak, corn, and a punchy Spanish-style salsa verde.
The Food Lab

The Best Carne Asada

Buttery, tender, and juicy beef with a nice charred, smoky flavor.
Beef

Skirt Steak With Mushroom-Cream Pan Sauce

Cream is the secret weapon in this rich, silky pan sauce with mushrooms.
Mains

Hanger Steak With Bagna Cauda Pan Sauce

A classic Italian vegetable dip gets new life as a flavorful sauce for quick-cooking steak.
Beef

Isan-Style Thai Sliced-Steak Salad

Easy-to-find ingredients combine for bold Northeast Thai flavors.
Beef

Steak and Corn Salad With Tomatillos and Ancho-Chili Vinaigrette

An all-in-one meal in salad form.
Corn

Skirt Steak With Warm Spicy Corn-and-Peach Salsa

Skirt steak with a bright, spicy salsa made from summer corn and peaches.
Mains

The Steak Bomb With Flap Steak, Scallions, and Salami-Cheese Crisps

The classic New England sub gets re-engineered for maximum flavor and balance.
Mains

Slow-Smoked Porterhouse Steaks

A juicy, thick-cut steak with remarkable smoky flavor.
Tomato

Seared Skirt Steak With Blistered Cherry Tomatoes and Polenta

Juicy cherry tomatoes and chilies transform pan drippings into a rich sauce.
Beef

Steakhouse Kebabs

Marinated steak, mushrooms, and onions: a steakhouse experience on a stick.
Cheese

Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak With Roasted Chilies and Pepper Jack Cheese

Perfect spicy, beefy pinwheels packed with chilies and cheese.
Beef

Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak With Pesto, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto

The quintessential flavors of summer in one meaty package.
Mains

Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak With Scallions, Ginger, and Teriyaki Glaze

Negimaki-inspired steak in an aromatic glaze.
Mains

Muffuletta-Style Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak

The classic New Orleans sandwich goes beefy.
Caribbean

Grilled Skirt Steak With Mojo Marinade

A garlicky, citrusy marinade makes this buttery steak pop.
Grilling

Grilled Jalapeño-Marinated Steak Sandwiches With Cotija Mayo

Spicy and beefy jalapeño-marinated hanger steak is paired with salty Cotija mayo.
One-Pot Wonders

Easy Steak Tacos With Charred Corn and Sriracha

A one-skillet taco feast with charred, spice-rubbed skirt steak and corn.
Tomato

Grilled Strip Steak With Creamy Yogurt Sauce and Tomato-Cucumber Salad

A cool, crunchy side salad keeps hearty steak feeling light.
Tex-Mex

Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas

Flavorful grilled steak fajitas served with sizzled peppers and onions.
Beef

Mole-Crusted Fajitas

Fajitas get distinct character from an earthy, spicy mole crust.
Beef

Dry-Aged, Sous Vide Bone-In Ribeyes

The ultimate steak experience. Period.
The Food Lab

Butter-Basted, Pan-Seared Thick-Cut Steaks

Perfectly cooked butter-basted steak, with a deep brown crust flavored with aromatics.
Sandwiched

Grilled Steak, Avocado, and Spicy Crema Sandwiches

Seared steak gets friendly with velvety avocado and spicy crema.
Beef

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Tri-Tip

A sweet and spicy rub amps up this mild and tender cut of beef.
The Food Lab

Santa Maria-Style Barbecue Tri-Tip

Just seasoned beef, grilled, sliced, and served with a bowl of pinquito beans.
Beef

Argentinean-Style Grilled Short Ribs With Chimichurri

Flanken-style short ribs get a dose of South American flavor.
Mains

Tender Grilled Short Ribs

The best cut of meat for grilling, cooked to juicy, tender perfection.
Mains

Grilled Garlic- and Herb-Marinated Hanger Steak

A great way to cook one of the best inexpensive steaks.
Gluten-Free

The Food Lab's Perfect Grilled Steaks

The only technique you need for exceptional grilled steaks.
Beef

Steakhouse-Style Grilled Marinated Flank Steak

Our Worcestershire-based marinade doubles as a punchy sauce.
Salads

Thai-Style Marinated Flank Steak and Herb Salad

The perfect flavor-packed steak salad for potlucks and backyard parties.
The Food Lab

Perfect Pan-Seared Steaks

An even crust and deeply flavorful pan-seared steak.
Sous Vide

Sous Vide Steaks

Perfectly even edge-to-edge cooking and foolproof results.
EXPAND STEAK RECIPES

Techniques and FAQs

Sous Vide 101

Sous Vide Steak Guide | The Food Lab

The foolproof way to stunning steaks.
Techniques

The Definitive Guide to Grilled Steak

All your questions about grilling steak, answered.

Decoding Your Meat: A Guide to USDA Beef Labels

Prime or choice? Natural or organic? USDA beef labeling, demystified.
The Food Lab

Ask The Food Lab: Does Resting Under Foil Ruin Meat?

Will foil mess with your perfect steak? Not so much.
The Food Lab

The Food Lab: Flip Your Steaks Multiple Times for Better Results

Thought flipping meat was a bad thing? Think again.
The Food Lab

7 Myths About Cooking Steak That Need to Go Away

Myth-bust your way to better steak.
The Food Lab

Ask The Food Lab: Is It Okay to Probe My Meat?

Why poking your steak with a thermometer isn't just okay—it's a must.
The Food Lab

The Food Lab's Complete Guide to Dry-Aging Beef at Home

How to dry-age your steak at home for vastly superior flavor and texture.
The Food Lab

Ask The Food Lab: Do Bones Add Flavor to Meat?

Why bone-in steaks don't actually impact flavor.
The Food Lab

The Food Lab's Complete Guide to Pan-Seared Steaks

Perfect pan-seared steaks made easy.

CREDITS