How Long to Grill Steak
For a 1 1 / 2-inch thick steak , here are the general cooking times :
6 to 8 minutes for rare ( 125 °) 7 to 10 minutes for medium-rare ( 135 °) 10 to 12 minutes for medium ( 145 °) 12 to 15 minutes for well done
Note that the USDA recommends cooking whole cuts of beef to an internal temperature of 145 ° F .
Keep in mind that the thickness of your steak , the heat of your grill , and your desired level of doneness will all impact the time it takes your steak to grill . Raichlen suggests checking the temperature of the steak by inserting a digital meat thermometer through the side , not top down . You can also use Elise ’ s handy dandy guide .
Tips for Grilling the Perfect Steak
Season , then chill : I apply the same technique I use for getting crispy chicken and turkey skin to grilling this steak : season , then let it chill in the fridge uncovered for up to 48 hours . This essentially dry brines the steak while also letting it air-dry . This approach allows the surface moisture to evaporate while the seasoning has time to penetrate the meat resulting in deeply flavored steak that sears beautifully and develops a nice crust on the grill .
Start with clean grates : Just like you use a clean skillet with a little oil to cook dinner on the stovetop , you want to start with clean and oiled grill grates .
To flip or not to flip ? Flip your steak to your heart ’ s content . Harold McGee , food science writer and author of On Food and Cooking , discovered that frequent flipping creates a steak that cooks more evenly and quickly than those flipped only once .
Grilling directly on coals : Raichlen seemingly knows an infinite number of ways to grill meat , and there ’ s one in his new book , Project Fire , that I particularly like : he cooks steak directly on hot coals — no grill grates necessary . I love the idea , and it ’ s on my list of things to try in the near future .
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