Do you often wonder, how long to leave a steak out before cooking? Well, I used to. So, I did my research on the topic – and will share the insights with you in this article. When you are cooking steak, it is essential to know how long you should leave it out! Putting it immediately on the grill or in the pan is not the right decision.
Cooking steak at room temperature helps cook it more evenly throughout and develops a better sear. However, there are food safety issues to think about as well.
This article will discuss how long different cuts of steaks need to sit out before you can cook them safely while also ensuring good texture and taste. In addition, we will provide best practice tips for bringing your steak up to room temperature.
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Food Safety Concerns with Leaving Steak Out
The USDA says that if raw meat is left out long enough at room temperature, bacteria can reproduce quickly. Any food that gets too warm becomes more prone to foodborne illness. Specifically, they suggest limiting exposure for temperatures below 90 degrees Fahrenheit to two hours. But if it’s hotter than that outside? One hour max!
The same goes for ground beef and liver – just don’t do it. So, now you know how long to leave a steak out before cooking.
Time Needed To Bring Steak To Room Temperature
As steak gets thicker its cooking time goes up thus requiring more time until it reaches room temperature prior to cooking. Here are some general guidelines:
Bringing Steak to Room Temperature
Here are some tips for safely bringing your steak to room temperature before cooking:
Start with cold steak straight from the fridge. Do not let it sit out for extended periods before the resting time.
Place the steak on a plate or pan and allow it to rest on the kitchen counter. Do not cover it or trap it in heat which can encourage bacteria growth.
For quicker tempering, run cold water over the steak for a few minutes before letting it rest to reduce the chill. Pat it dry before letting it sit out.
For very thick cuts, you can also place the rested steak into an oven preheated to the lowest setting (around 150°F to 200°F) for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking to gently warm the interior.
Do not leave steak out for longer than recommended times. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40°F and 140°F.
Avoid placing raw steak directly on countertops where bacteria reside. Use a clean plate or pan.
Wash hands, utensils, and anything else that touched the raw steak before and after handling to prevent cross-contamination.
Cook Steak Immediately After Resting
Once your steak has come to room temperature, it should be cooked right away rather than letting it continue to sit out:
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels before seasoning or adding oil. Wet surfaces encourage more bacterial growth.
- Heat up your skillet, grill or other cooking vessel in the meantime so it’s ready to go.
- Cook your steak immediately after the recommended resting time, without delay. Do not let it linger.
- Always cook steak to a safe minimum internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
- The USDA recommends cooking steak to 145°F for medium rare. 160°F for medium and well-done.
Benefits of Letting Steak Rest
There are two main reasons why letting your steak rest before cooking is important:
It Allows Moisture to Distribute Evenly
When you take a steak out of the refrigerator, it is cold so the moisture and juices in the meat move to the middle. If you put a cold steak on a hot grill, the outside of the meat will cook first while trapping juice inside it. This usually results in overcooked outer layers and an undercooked center. Letting a steak sit for some time brings its temperature closer to room temperature.
The process also allows moisture to evenly spread across the entire piece of meat which helps with even cooking and retaining more juices.
Less Moisture Loss During Cooking
A shock happens to such steak when it goes straight from the fridge onto fire causing rapid loss of water content by muscle fibers tightening up and forcing out fluids through high heat exposure. Giving your beef some time to rest will relax those muscles; meaning upon hitting extreme temperatures they won’t contract as much thereby reducing liquid expulsion.
This means flavorful steaks that keep their own tasty juices inside.
Ideal Rest Times
So, now we know why resting steaks before cooking is necessary, how long should you let one sit at room temp?
The ideal rest time depends on the thickness of the cut:
Steaks 1 inch thick – Let rest 40 minutes
Steaks 1.5 inches thick – Let rest 50 minutes
Steaks 2 inches thick – Let rest 60 minutes
For most ribeyes, New York strips, and filet mignons, aim for about an hour before hitting the heat. Thinner cuts like skirt or flank steak only need 30 minutes. You want the center of the steak to come as close to room temp as possible without letting the exterior get warm. This prevents overcooking the outer portion before the middle is done.
More Resting Tips
Here are some other tips for optimal steak resting:
- Leave the steak uncovered while resting so the surface can dry out slightly. This helps promote better browning.
- Don’t salt the steak until after resting. Salting early can draw out moisture.
- Flip the steak halfway through resting. This allows both sides to come to an even temperature.
- For very thick cuts, you can rest on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Airflow underneath helps regulate temperature.
- Don’t worry if the steak edges look grey after resting. This is normal. The edges will brown once cooking begins.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels before cooking. This removes any excess moisture on the surface.
Conclusion
A necessary step for even the most skilled cooks is letting a steak warm up before cooking. Although food safety dictates that it shouldn’t sit out for long, taking the chill off your steak will give you the best results in terms of texture, juiciness, flavor and doneness.
Use the guidelines provided to determine how long different cuts of steak need. Handle raw steak carefully, cook it immediately after resting, and use a thermometer to confirm safe doneness. Following these best practices will reward you with a perfectly cooked steak every time.