How You Can Prepare World-Renowned Steak Recipes on Your Grill at Home

There’s nothing better than a perfectly cooked cut of beef from a world-renowned steak house. It doesn’t just make your mouth water…it makes your heart flutter and your taste buds sing. But we’ve got some shocking news for you: you can make steak that scrumptious at home. It’s not easy and it will require some practice, but with a little TLC and experimentation, you’ll be an ace steak chef in no time. 

We’re going to give you some steak grilling tips for making your steak master chef status worthy, followed up with some grill recipes that seem a whole lot fancier than they actually are— we won’t tell if you won’t!

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How to Grill World-Renowned Steak

Here’s what differentiates a good steak from a great one:

• Quality (freshness)

• Cut of meat

• Salt and seasoning

• Temperature

• Time

• Rest

• Slicing

• Confidence

• Sides and toppings

Quality (freshness)

The quality of the meat you purchase has a direct impact (maybe the biggest impact) on taste. If you’re purchasing fresh meat from a local butcher who sources from organic farms, you’ll have a much better bite than frozen meat from who-knows-where. (Frozen isn’t always bad. In certain cases, you can actually make an even better steak from frozen meat. We’re talking about the quality of the meat here more than the actual process of freezing it.) If you know where your meat is coming from, you’ll most likely have a healthier and more delicious steak dinner all around. 

Cut of meat

The cut of beef you choose is going to determine the entire meal: how you cook it, how you’ll eat it, and what sides you’ll pair with it. There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right cut for your meal, so check out our guide to cuts of beef here. 

If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, “butchers cuts” are a great option. They’re less expensive than premium cuts, but they’re still super delicious and restaurant quality. You can try Korean cut short rib for your Korean BBQ, top sirloin, inside skirt, hanger, and ribeye cap. 

Salt and seasoning 

Before you throw your steak on the grill, you want to show it some love with salt and seasoning. Don’t be afraid to season. You won’t ruin it. Whether you’re using salt and black pepper, Sweet Mama rubs, or underrated seasonings like cinnamon and chili powder, rubbing these into the outside of your meat before cooking will revolutionize the way it comes off the grill. 

Temperature 

The internal temperature of your meat will tell you the doneness and whether or not it’s fully cooked through. You don’t need a lot of fancy gadgets to make a fancy steak dinner, but a meat thermometer is a must-have. Check out this chart of internal temperature and ideal doneness here. 

Time

Along with the internal temperature, the temperature of your grill matters, too. For most steaks, a lower temperature for a long period of time will result in a more tender, juicy result than grilling on high heat. We recommend the reverse sear method on a charcoal grill for a perfectly even cook. Low and slow wins the race. Great things take time— including steak. 

Rest

Let your steak rest before serving. A lot of people like to cut right into their steak to make sure it’s done and get right to eating it. You should already be certain it’s done from the internal temperature, so you should never cut into steak to check doneness. Plus, letting your steak rest makes it juicier and richer. It gives the juice time to settle in the meat, rather than dripping out on the cutting board and losing that moistness and succulence.

For smaller steaks (6 to 15 ounces), let them rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving or cutting. For anything larger, rest for at least 15 to 30 minutes. 

Note: Due to this rest period, we recommend taking your steak off the grill about 5 degrees before your ideal doneness, as it will continue to “cook” while resting. 

Slicing 

Even how you slice your meat will impact the taste and texture. Slice against the grain of the meat. This will make it tender and easier to chew. If you slice with the grain, it will be a tougher bite. If you’re looking to create a fancy meal for friends and family, you may want to pre-slice cooked meat for them to ensure it’s cut against the grain, and then arrange the slices on the plate like an artist! (Learn some basic food plating techniques to feel extra luxurious.)

Confidence

A confident chef will cook up the best meat. It may sound corny, but it’s true. If you’re worried or anxious about how the steak is going to turn out, you’re probably not going to put the time, love, and care into the grilling process that your steak needs. 

If it’s your first time (or first few times) cooking steak on the grill, try a less expensive cut of meat just to get your feet wet, like the grilled steak taco recipe we share below. Once you’ve had a few good cooks under your belt, you’ll have the confidence to try something new—and even something a little fancier. 

Sides and toppings 

A restaurant-worthy steak doesn’t stand alone. A scrumptious steak comes with all of those delectable sides, like fries, mushrooms, garlic butter, and more. Try out different sorts of grilled veggies, herbs, spices, sauces, and side dishes to make every dinner feel like you’re eating out. Even cold cheeses (like blue cheese) and grilled cheeses can pair beautifully with a well-cooked steak. 

For example, you can create a Michelin level meal by grilling up a rib-eye and pairing it with grilled portobello mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and rosemary sprigs. Easy and oh so delicious!

5 Delicious Steak Ideas and Recipes to Try Out

Surf and turf

Is there anything more luxurious than surf and turf? If you’re a fan of this rich, filling meal, you don’t have to wait until you go to an expensive restaurant to indulge. You can create world-renowned steak and shrimp (or lobster) right on your own grill. But be warned: you’ll have to undo the button on your pants for all the delicious food you’re going to enjoy. Check out this in-depth surf and turf grill recipe on Vindulge. 

Jack Daniel’s flank steak

We’re obsessed with flank steak over a charcoal grill. This is one of the best grill recipes we’ve tried because, well, it uses Jack Daniels as a marinade! A whiskey marinade followed by a butter-baste with a hot, smoky grill? We don’t think there’s anything better than that. Find the Jack Daniel’s Flank Steak recipe here. 

Bacon-wrapped filet mignon

Bacon and steak in one? Sign us up. It sounds like a delicacy, but it’s easier to make than you might think. And if you’ve never had bacon on the grill, your mind is about to be blown. 

Best yet? All you have to do differently is wrap long strips of bacon around the outside of the filet and secure with toothpicks while cooking. Then, you just grill your filet as usual. Once the bacon has cooked and crisped, it should stay in place and you can carefully remove the toothpicks. 

Grilled steak tacos

Skirt steak is a budget-friendly cut of beef that comes out so juicy and tender when cooked over charcoal. When it comes to great skirt steak tacos, it’s all about the marinade. In a resealable plastic bag, combine: juice of 3 limes, 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp cumin powder, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp sea salt, 2 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp black pepper. Marinate for 2-6 hours for a powerful punch.  

Then, place marinated skirt steaks over direct heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, with the lid off. It will cook quickly, so be mindful. Most times we say low and slow, but for burgers and skirt steak tacos, we’re all about direct heat. Then, pair with your favorite taco add-ons like a shell or tortilla, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, avocados, and more for an easy and delicious steak recipe everyone will love.

Grilled short ribs 

One of our favorite grill recipes is a good ol’ grilled short ribs recipe. We’ll admit they’re not the easiest to make, but they fall off the bone with savory, finger-licking flavor that we just can’t resist. This Allrecipes short ribs recipe makes the cook a little easier by using aluminum foil to keep the ribs together and cooking evenly. 

Bonus: Check out these other 29 grilled steak recipes with Bon Appétit. 

Photo by Alexander Kovacs on Unsplash

World-Renowned Steak in Your Own Backyard 

You don’t have to be a master chef to create delicious, delectable steak on your very own grill. With just a few tips and tricks, the right cut of meat, and a little confidence, you can have restaurant-worthy steak that you and your family will go nuts over. 

Make your cooking and cleanup as easy as a well-run kitchen with a Kick Ash Basket. Throw your charcoals in, shake out the ash, and your cleanup is almost done before your steak has even had time to rest. If a recipe calls for indirect heat or smoking, our Ring of Fire and Divider will help you make two-zone cooking a breeze.  

In the words of famous chef Julia Child, “The only time t