Do you know a secret to cook steak to brown without searing? Searing steak is a well known cooking technique to make the most flavorful roasts, steaks, pork chops, chicken and more.
By pan-searing the meat, it caramelize the natural sugars on the outside of the steak. Therefore, browning the proteins by forming a rich crust on the surface to amplify the savory flavor whether it is rare to well done.
It is hard to imagine cooking steak without searing because it will taste flat and boring. However, searing is not strictly required or necessary for the cooking process.
How do you cook steak in the oven without searing? Prepare the steak by seasoning with salt and pepper. Let it sit on the counter to bring up to room temperature.
Place it in a baking dish and add vegetables or potatoes. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 176 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes or until the desired level of doneness is reached. This method helps to keep the meat tender and juicy without browning or crisping.
Furthermore, placing the steak underneath the broiler for a few minutes on each side will help to crisp and brown the surface. Afterwards, finish in the oven to achieve a similar result as pan-searing.
Deliciously cooked steaks are tender, moist, and juicy. This outcome can be reached when cooked various ways from stovetop, grill, and especially in the oven.
This article answers frequently asked questions about cooking steak in the oven without searing for best yummy result. The oven provides even heat to cook thin or thick steak thoroughly, and searing is not necessary to get the job done.
Do you have to sear steak before baking?
No, you don’t have to sear steak before baking. It ultimately depends on personal preference of how you like to eat steak.
The pan-searing on the stove gives the browned flavor and the hot oven helps to cook the meat all around. Therefore, applying both searing and oven cooking is an optimal way to cook steak for many.
Without searing, it is possible to cook steak in the oven. Ensure the steaks always should be at room temperature before starting to cook.
Covering with aluminum foil is another method to lock the juice and keep the meat moist without searing. This way at least you get tender meat without overcooking the steak in the oven.
Can you cook a steak in the oven without pan searing it first?
Yes, you can cook a steak in the oven without pan searing it first. In fact, steaks don’t need to be seared to develop a crusty edges on both sides.
When cooking steak without pan searing, consider to use higher temperature setting in the oven to 400 degree Fahrenheit or 204 degree Celsius to achieve golden brown crispness.
Also, lining baking sheet with aluminum foil uncovered can help to penetrate the heat to the meat to cook evenly.
Furthermore, the broiler option in the oven is a great alternative ways to pan-searing. The broiler is perfect way to cook thick crust such as filet mignon and get that charred crust on the outer edges.
Broiling actually mimics a grill or sear by providing direct heat to the meat. Ensure to broil on each side for a few minutes to achieve browned crust on both side, but use caution so that it does not burn.
How do you cook a steak in the oven without a searing?
Without searing on pan, cook a steak in the oven by preheating the broiler. Let the meat come down to room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes so the steak cooks evenly.
Pat the meat dry and season the steak with olive oil, salt, black peppers or herbs and spices.
Place on foil-lined baking sheet and transfer into the boiler. Ensure the baking sheet is no further than 4 inches below. Cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown, and then flip the steak to the other side to continue broiling.
Pull the steak out the oven when the internal temperature is about 5 degrees less than desired.
- Rare: 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 48 to 54 degrees Celsius,
- Medium: 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 to 65 degrees Celsius
- Well done: 160 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit or 71 to 76 degrees Celsius
If a meat thermometer is not available, take out the steak after 3 to 4 minutes for rare or 5-8 minutes for medium and 10-14 minutes for well done.
Once the steak is done, take out the meat and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving or slicing.
Tips to cook steak in the oven without searing
Searing the steak prior oven cooking is a classic way to treat steak. However, it is not a required step or skill for a perfect steak.
If you are not confident to use pan to sear steak, and looking for alternative route, here are useful tips to cook steak in the oven without searing:
- Line parchment paper or aluminum foil on a baking sheet to capture all the grease and prevent from sticking to the pan.
- Place an empty skillet in preheated oven and cook the meat on the hot skillet.
- Use broiler method to make crusty on each side.
- Check the internal temperature of thickest part of the steak with meat thermometer to reach desired doneness.
- Avoid cutting the steak too soon, it may result chewy and tough meat.
- Allow cooked steak to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. You may cover with aluminum foil to maintain the warm temperature and prevent from drying.
Steak in Oven without Searing: Conclusion
Pan-searing meat results in beautifully browned crispness with in-depth flavor. However, pan-frying is not easy and it may burn easily or even stick on the pan to create a mess to cleanup.
In classic kitchen, searing the steak at start and finish with oven cooking in the middle is a typical approach. But it is not necessary when you have alternative cooking methods at your fingertips.
The broiler in the oven can do a similar function as grilling or stovetop searing. The direct heat leads to crusting the edges beautifully, and finishing in the hot oven cooks the meat thoroughly.
Always allow the raw steak to sit out of the fridge for 30 minutes to come up to room temperature for easy cooking.
Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper to capture any grease or natural juices. For tender and moist outcome, covering the steak with foil is another recommended method to cook without searing.
Depend on the personal preference, there are many ways to cook steak in the oven. If you are looking to have browned steak without searing, use above techniques and tips to achieve delicious steak.