Cooking a perfect steak is not an easy feat, and it gets even more challenging when we are dealing with thinner cuts. In this article, we will be discussing how to cook a 1 cm thick steak to perfection. We will go over the steps involved in the process, from preparation to serving.
Step 1: Preparation
Choosing the right cut of meat and its characteristics
When it comes to cooking a perfect steak, choosing the right cut of meat is crucial. For a 1 cm thick steak, we recommend using a tender and lean cut like sirloin or fillet. These cuts have fewer connective tissues, which means they require less cooking time.
Seasoning the Steak
Seasoning is another important part of preparing your steak for cooking. It adds flavor to your dish and enhances its taste. To season your steak correctly, sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the meat and let it rest at room temperature for about five minutes.
Bringing it to room temperature
Bringing your steak to room temperature before cooking helps it cook evenly. Take your steak out from the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start cooking.
Step 2: Cooking Equipment Setup
Choosing the perfect pan or grill
The equipment you choose plays a significant role in ensuring that you cook your steak perfectly. For thin cuts like our 1 cm thick slice, use a non-stick pan or grill.
Preparing the heat source
Once you have chosen your pan or grill, ensure that you preheat it properly. Heat up the pan/grill over medium-high heat and wait until it starts smoking before adding oil.
Optimal temperature for cooking
For our thin 1 cm slice of steak, high heat is necessary as we need to brown/sear each side quickly without overcooking beyond medium-rare doneness.
Step 3: Frying the Steak
Searing The Steak
Searing your steak over high heat gives it a crispy crust that traps in its juices. Place the seasoned steak on the heated surface and let it sizzle for around 2-3 minutes without moving it so as to form a crust.
Basting The Steak
Basting refers to brushing melted butter, aromatic herbs or oil onto the steak’s surface while cooking. This method adds extra flavor, keeps our slice lubricated from sticking to the pan/grill, and could help caramelize our brown coat better. Use a brush or spoon of choice to smear oil liberally every flip or toss cycles.
Testing Its Doneness
To ensure your steak is cooked perfectly, use your fingers or a thermometer to test its doneness. With steaks below 2 cm thickness, using finger pressure remains an effective way of knowing how done your steak is – press at different points if you think you need more info. If it feels like pressing your chin with your fingertips then it’s medium-rare.
Step 4: Resting and Serving the Steak
Resting The Steak
Once you’ve finished cooking your steak, don’t serve immediately; Instead, let it rest for about 5 minutes so that the juices get reabsorbed into the meat instead of spilling out like water. Allow enough time for resting – thin meats take less time to rest in comparison with thicker steaks.
Slicing The Steak
Ensure to slice thin cuts against the grain of meat fibers; this reduces stringiness in texture and improves tenderness.
Serving Suggestions
Now that you have cooked your perfect 1 cm thick steak, serve it up beautifully by pairing with complementary side dishes such as salads or roasted vegetables.
Conclusion
Cooking a one-centimeter-thick slice of steak may seem a daunting task for many but following these guidelines can streamline an understated experience to the table. We hope that this article has provided you with insight on how to cook your perfect steak from preparation, cooking to serving. With these tips, creating a perfect 1 cm thick steak will no longer be a big issue for beginners or pros in cooking steak as you now understand all requisite steps that lead to a well-done serving of steaks.
Q&A
- Q: I have a 1 cm thick steak, what should be the ideal cooking time? A: For a 1 cm thick steak, cook it for about 2-3 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or 4-5 minutes on each side for well-done.
- Q: Is it important to sear the steak first before cooking it through in the oven? A: Yes, searing the steak first helps to create a crispy exterior and locks in the flavors and juices of the meat.
- Q: Should I season my steak before or after cooking it? A: Season your steak with salt and pepper before cooking it, as this allows for better absorption of seasoning into the meat.
- Q: How can I tell if my steak is cooked to perfection? A: To check if your steak is cooked properly, use a meat thermometer or follow the finger test technique where you touch different parts of your hand and compare to how your steak feels when you press down on it.
