How to Grill the Perfect Steak

This post is a collaboration with Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. I received compensation. All opinions are my own.

Can you believe it’s already almost the 4th of July? That’s right, it’s time to dust off those mini American flags and dig your American flag printed bikini out of your dresser (or is that just me? 😅). It’s also time to fire up the grill, because nothing says Independence Day quite like a good old fashioned barbecue! In preparation for 4th of July, I’ve pulled together some tips on how to grill the perfect steak, so you can feel confident whether you’re a seasoned pro or if you only grill on occasion.

The first step is to marinate your meat – you can use anything from a simple salt rub to your chosen style of marinade. This will help both tenderize the meat by beginning to break down the fibers (especially for less tender cuts like flank steak), and it will also infuse flavor. For tender cuts, marinate your meat 15 minutes to 2 hours prior to grilling. For less tender cuts, try marinating your meat at least 6 hours prior or up to 24 hours in advance. I decided to season my Top Sirloin Steaks simply with salt and pepper since I love to let the one-of-a-kind flavor of the beef shine, but you could also try a dry rub made for grilling with lots of spices and herbs or even a combination of soy sauce and sugar for an Asian style marinade.

Next you want to heat up the grill. Whether you are using a charcoal or gas grill, make sure to get the flames going so you’re cooking over medium heat, which will get a nice color on the outside of the steak while maintaining a juicy interior. Once your grill is hot, place your steaks onto the grill and cover them, flipping occasionally until the internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium rare and 160°F for medium. You can measure this with an instant read thermometer by inserting it into the side of the thickest part of the steak.

How long you need to cook the steak depends on the cut of beef you have and how thick the steak is. Once it’s cooked, you want to rest the steak for a few minutes to keep the juices in. Slice your steak against the grain and serve immediately, seasoning with salt at the end to amp up the flavor and juiciness.

Grilling the perfect steak is such a simple way to make delicious beef part of your 4th of July BBQ. For more recipes and summer grilling inspiration, visit https://www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com/cooking/grilling.