How Long to Cook Steak on the Grill for Medium Doneness?

Cooking a steak to the right level of doneness on the grill is a skill that demands accuracy and dedication to perfect your technique over time. Whether you’re someone who’s well versed in grilling or just starting out as a steak aficionado striving for that combination of a tender pink interior and a seared crust is truly satisfying for any food lover. Now the question arises: How do you know when steak is cooked medium on the grill?

In this guidebook, we will delve into the nuances of grilling steak to achieve a medium level of doneness on the outdoor barbecue grill. Discussing important elements such as the ideal temperature for grilling steak and the recommended cooking durations, along with different methods to assist you in becoming adept at grilling the perfectly medium rare steak outdoors.

Table of Contents

Understanding Steak Doneness

Before delving into the details of cooking steak to achieve a medium doneness level over a grill or barbecue pit area, food preparation expertise and experience are essential to grasping the nuances of levels of doneness and their implications within the culinary context of grilling meat for consumption purposes. Grilling a steak to levels of doneness is based upon the extent of cooking applied and the resultant internal temperature reached by the meat as it undergoes the grilling process using heat energy from direct flame or coals present within the barbecue setup or grilling apparatus in use at that moment in time. The standard degrees of doneness commonly observed and acknowledged in practices include;

Rare: The steak is seared on the outside but remains cool and red in the center, with an internal temperature of 120°F to 125°F (49°C to 52°C).
Medium-Rare: The steak has a warm, red center with a pinkish-red color throughout, with an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F (54°C to 57°C).
Medium: The steak has a warm, pink center with a slightly reddish-pink color throughout, with an internal temperature of 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C).
Medium-Well: The steak has a slightly pink center with a grayish-brown color throughout, with the best temp to grill steak at 150°F to 155°F (66°C to 68°C).
Well-Done: The steak is cooked through with no pink remaining, with an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) or higher.

In our case here, we aim to cook the steak to a doneness since that’s what many steak lovers consider the best level of doneness.

Factors Affecting Grilling Time

When grilling a steak to doneness is the goal, various factors come into play in deciding the right cooking duration for optimal results consistently and deliciously.

The thickness of the steak plays a role in how long you grill it. Thicker steaks need more time to cook through to the right temperature compared to thinner ones that cook up faster.
Different types of steak have amounts of fat marbling and muscle density that can impact how long they need to cook on the grill or in the pan. For instance, a ribeye with lots of marbling might cook a bit quicker than lean filet mignon.
The kind of grill you use can affect how long it takes to cook your food well. Charcoal grills have high direct heat levels. Gas grills offer more constant and manageable heat. In contrast, infrared grills can quickly cook steaks using strong radiant heat.
Grilling Heat Level: The heat level of the grill is key, in deciding how to cook the steak; higher heat will sear it quickly, whereas lower heat will mean a longer cooking time.
The temperature outside can affect how long it takes to cook food on the grill, with summer days needing slightly less time than cooler days or evenings for grilling.

To get the doneness for your steak on the grill, temperature, and timing adjustments are key to achieving the right medium level of cooking.

Preparing the Grill

Prior to firing up the grill for your cooking session with steak in mind, it’s crucial to get the grill ready for action and set the stage for a grilling experience.

To achieve doneness for your steak on the grill, target a temperature range of 450°F to 550°F (232°C to 288°C). This heat range is ideal for searing the steak. Ensuring it cooks to your preferred internal temperature.

Ensure to heat up the grill by preheating it for around 15 to 20 minutes before you start cooking your steak! This step is crucial to make sure that the grill grates reach the temperature for those lovely sear marks and even the cooking of the steak.

To clean the grill grates effectively and avoid any sticking issues while cooking your steak time on the grill, you can either use a grill brush or a crumpled piece of aluminum foil to remove any leftover residue or debris from previous grilling sessions.

To grill the medium steak, it is essential to prepare the grill properly and create an ideal cooking environment.

Getting the Steak Ready

Before firing up the grill to cook your steak to perfection, ensure that your steak is fully prepped and ready for grilling by following these steps:

Selecting the Right Cut: For grilling, choose well-marbled cuts such as ribeye, strip steak, or filet mignon. These cuts have the right balance of fat and tenderness to produce a juicy and flavorful medium steak.
Allowing the Steak to Come to Room Temperature: Remove the steak from the refrigerator about 30 minutes to an hour before grilling. This will allow the steak to cook more evenly and prevent overcooking the outer layer while the center remains undercooked.
Seasoning and Marinating (if desired): While a simple seasoning of salt and pepper is often all you need, you can also experiment with dry rubs, marinades, or compound butters to enhance the flavor of your steak.

When you prepare the steak correctly, it will be all set to soak up the grill heat and flavors and turn into a delicious medium-cooked steak.

Grilling Times for Cooking Steak to a Medium Doneness

Now that you’ve got the grill ready and the steak prepped up nicely, let’s talk about the cooking times to reach that medium doneness level! Just remember that these timings are more of a figure and could change based on factors like how thick the steak is and how hot your grill is at the moment.

1-inch thick steak:

Grill for about 10 to 12 minutes, for a medium doneness level. Remember to flip the food only once in the middle of cooking.

1.5-inch thick steak:

During grilling, the time for a medium doneness level of the meat should be around 14 to 18 minutes. Remember to flip it over halfway through the process.

2-inch thick steak:

Cooking Time for Medium Doneness on the Grill should be around 18 to 22 minutes. Remember to flip the food once halfway through the cooking process.

Keep in mind that the suggested grilling durations rely upon a heat range of 450°F to 550°F (232°C to 288°C). Should your grill be operating at a higher temperature than this range specified above, it is necessary to modify the cooking time accordingly.

To make sure the steak is cooked right with accuracy in mind, it’s suggested to employ a meat thermometer. Place the thermometer in the section of the steak and take it off the grill when the internal temperature hits 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C), aiming for a medium level of doneness.

Techniques for Grilling Steak

Ensuring your steak cooks evenly and reaches medium doneness involves more than just timing the grilling process; there are various techniques you can use for a delicious outcome.

The popular way to grill steak is the direct heat method, where you cook the steak directly on the hot grill grates, flipping it once halfway through to achieve a nice sear on both sides, especially for thinner steaks.
For cuts of steak or when you prefer a more controlled cooking approach‌‌, using the indirect heat method is recommended. ‌While searing the steak, on each side directly over the flame, first move it to the cooler part of the grill and shut the lid. This technique ensures that the steak cooks slowly and evenly through heat.
The reverse searing method is a way to cook a thick steak perfectly. Start by slowly cooking it over low heat until it reaches around 115°F 120°F (46°C 49°C), then give it a quick sear over high heat for that crispy crust on the outside while keeping the inside evenly cooked.
As your steak nears the level of doneness you desire it to be cooked at on the grill, stovetop pan, or oven broiler, consider brushing it with melted butter or a mixture of garlic butter and herbs for added taste and juiciness to enhance the overall experience of enjoying a juicy steak grilled to perfection with the added touch of herbs and flavorful butter melting on top during the final minutes of cooking to give it that perfect crust that enhances its flavor profile even more.

By mastering the grilling durations along with these methods, you’ll soon become adept at cooking a perfectly medium steak on the grill.

Resting and Serving

Once you’ve cooked the steak to your level of doneness on the grill or stovetop, it’s important to give it some time to rest before cutting into it. Allowing the steak to rest helps the flavorful juices spread evenly within the meat, guaranteeing a succulent and tender outcome.

After grilling the steak, take it off the heat. Transfer it to a tidy cutting board or plate, then cover it loosely with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting or serving.
Slicing and plating: After allowing the steak to rest properly after cooking it to your liking on the grill or stovetop until it reaches the desired level of doneness. Be it rare or well done. You can proceed to slice it into portions for serving or present it whole on a platter alongside your accompaniments, like grilled veggies or crisp salads.

By using these suggestions for resting and serving your steak properly, you will help maintain its juicy and flavorful qualities intact for a delightful dining experience with your company.

How to Grill the Perfect Steak (Recap and Final Tips)

Grilling a steak to achieve a cooked medium steak requires meticulous preparation, taking into account various factors that influence cooking time and applying appropriate techniques for the best results. Here’s a summary of the aspects to consider:

Get the Grill Ready: Start by heating up your grill to a temperature ranging from 450°F to 550°F (232°C to 288°C). Make sure to clean the grill grates well so that the steak can make contact, with them.
Get the steak ready, by picking a marbled piece of meat and letting it sit at room temperature before seasoning it to your liking.
Grilling Times for Medium Doneness: When grilling a steak that’s 1 inch thick on the grill for around 10 to 12 minutes, it should achieve medium doneness. For a steak, that is 1. Inches thick on the grill for approximately 14 to 18 minutes should result in medium doneness. If you are grilling a steak that’s 2 inches thick on the grill for about 18 to 22 minutes, that should give you a medium doneness level. Remember to adjust the grilling times based on the temperature of your grill and the thickness of the steak.
Remember to use a meat thermometer. Place it in the part of the steak and take it off the grill once the inside temperature hits 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C), which indicates medium doneness.
Harness grilling methods for best outcomes; Make use of indirect heat applications alongside reverse searing techniques; consider basting during the process and finishing off with a touch of butter or herbs for enhanced flavor profiles.
Give the steak a break for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking before cutting and serving it to keep the juices evenly distributed and the meat nice and tender.

Some extra pointers to remember.

Make sure to heat your grill completely before you put the steak on it.
Using a two-zone fire can help you control the temperature effectively by creating a hot area for searing and a cooler area for cooking indirectly.
Try out types of wood chips or chunks to enhance the smoky flavor in your cooking.
Make sure to add an amount of salt and pepper or your preferred seasoning or marinade to your steak before cooking it.
Make sure to accompany your cooked steak with some delicious sides, such as grilled veggies or a crisp salad, along with some roasted potatoes on the side.

Mastering the art of grilling a steak requires practice and trial and error. Don’t lose heart if your initial try falls short; persevere and tweak your methods until you discover what suits you and your grill best.

Conclusion

Achieving a cooked medium steak is within reach for anyone ready to invest time and effort in honing their grilling skills. Becoming familiar with the elements that influence cooking duration, setting up the grill and steak appropriately, following the grilling times and methods, and letting the steak sit before serving are all key steps toward consistently producing a succulent, tasty, and impeccably cooked medium steak.

Don’t forget that grilling isn’t about sticking to a strict set of guidelines; it’s also about immersing yourself in the moment and trying out various approaches to discover what works best for your unique flavor preferences and grilling equipment setup! Be open to ideas and, above all else. Enjoy the journey!

Throw a backyard BBQ or treat yourself to a grilled steak on a weekday. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sinking your teeth into a perfectly cooked medium steak! Get that grill going and show off your grilling skills to your loved ones. They’re in for a treat!