How to Pan-Fry the Perfect Steak on the Stovetop

Follow our simple and delicious recipe for the best way to cook steak in a pan

Co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: January 5, 2023 References Approved

Are you craving a big, juicy steak but don’t have access to a grill? Well with a frying pan, you can still get a crispy sear on the stove. Pan-frying steak is so quick and easy, and we have all the tips you need to get that perfect cook on your meat. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to prepare your steak for your next meal.

Things You Should Know

Let your steak warm up to room temperature for up to 1 hour before you cook it. Pat the meat dry and sprinkle on salt for seasoning.
Heat a skillet on medium-high for about 10 minutes.
Cook your steak for about 3–5 minutes per side. Flip your steak every minute to get an even crust.
Pull the steak when it reaches 115–120 °F (46–49 °C) for rare, 130–135 °F (54–57 °C) for medium, or 160 °F (71 °C) for well done.

1

Let your steak warm up to room temperature.

Your steak will cook more evenly if it’s at room temperature. Pull your steak out of the fridge and set it on a plate or cutting board so it can slowly warm up. Try to leave it for at least 10 minutes, but you can safely keep your steak out at room temp for an hour before you plan on cooking it.^{[1]
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- Choose boneless cuts of steak, like ribeye, filet, or New York strip, that are around 1–1 ¹⁄₂ in (2.5–3.8 cm) thick. Save bone-in steaks for cooking in the oven or on the grill so they cook evenly.^{[2]
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- If you’re preparing a frozen steak, put it in your fridge the night before so it can thaw and defrost.

2

Season your steak with salt.

Salting your steak before you cook works the seasoning into the meat. Pat the meat dry with some paper towels first so your steak develops a crispy crust. Then, generously sprinkle a layer of salt onto both sides of your steak. Don’t be afraid to put on more salt than you think you need since some of the seasoning will fall off while you’re cooking.^{[3]
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- Salt also helps draw out some of the steak’s moisture so your steak gets a perfect sear.
- Alternatively, marinate your steak for at least 1 hour or let it sit overnight. Avoid marinating for longer than 1 day since it will get over-seasoned.
- Avoid putting pepper or any other seasonings on your steak before you cook it since the flavors may burn off before you even taste them.

3

Warm a skillet on your stove over medium-high heat.

Letting the skillet heat completely ensures your steak cooks evenly. Use a thick-bottomed stainless steel pan or cast-iron skillet since they hold heat the best. Put the skillet on your stovetop and let it heat up for about 10 minutes.^{[4]
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- Many cooks don’t use cooking oil to pan-fry a steak, but it may prevent the meat from sticking to the surface.^{[5]
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  Research source} If you want to use it, swirl 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil on the bottom of the pan once it’s hot.

4

Lay your steak flat in the pan.

Pressing the meat flat in the pan gives it a crispy sear. Use a pair of tongs to transfer the steak into the hot pan. Push the meat down firmly against the bottom of the pan so it makes good contact with the cooking surface.^{[6]
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- If you’re making multiple steaks, avoid crowding them all into one pan since they may not cook evenly. Prepare the steaks separately or use a larger pan with space for all of the meat.

5

Cook your steak for 3–5 minutes per side.

Pan-frying each side creates an even crust on the meat. Some experts recommend only flipping your steak once while it’s cooking. Sear the first side of your steak so a crust can form. Then, use your tongs or a spatula to flip your steak to the other side. If you want to get a more even sear on each side, try flipping the steak every minute instead.^{[7]
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- Try cooking steaks both ways to see what you like best flavor-wise.
- If you’re making thin pieces of flank or flat-iron steak, it may only take 1–2 minutes per side.
- Steaks can overcook quickly if you aren’t paying attention to them, so prep any sides you want to serve before you start cooking the meat.

6

Baste your steak with butter during the last few minutes.

Coating your steak with butter and herbs makes it more mouth-watering. Drop in 1–2 tablespoons (14–28g) of unsalted butter into your skillet along with other aromatics and herbs, like chopped garlic, thyme, or rosemary. Once the butter melts, scoop some into a spoon and pour it over your steak a few times so it can absorb all the delicious flavors.^{[8]
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7

Check the steak’s internal temperature.

A meat thermometer lets you see if your steak is still too rare. Stick the end of the thermometer into the center of the thickest part of your steak. Wait until the reading settles on a temperature to see how cooked through it is. Depending on how you like your steak, pull the meat off of your stove when it reaches the doneness you want.^{[9]
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- Rare: 115–120 °F (46–49 °C)
- Medium-rare: 120–125 °F (49–52 °C)
- Medium: 130–135 °F (54–57 °C)
- Medium-well: 140–145 °F (60–63 °C)
- Well-done: 155–160 °F (68–71 °C)
- If you don’t have a meat thermometer, try doing a touch test instead. Feel your palm just below your thumb. Touch your thumb to your index finger to know what rare steak feels like, middle finger for medium-rare, ring finger for medium, and pinky for well-done.

8

Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Resting your steak keeps the meat juicy and flavorful. Once you take your steak off of the stove, leave it on a cutting board or plate for a few minutes. After your steak rests for around 5 minutes, feel free to slice or cut it however you want so you can start eating.^{[10]
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- Toss a salad or mash potatoes to serve along with your steak to make a delicious, hearty meal.
- Enjoy some red wine for a classic pairing with steak.

Community Q&A

Question

Apart from salt, what else can I add?

Community Answer

Pepper and some Montreal seasoning. Let the steak sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Add some olive oil and a pat of butter to the frying pan, on high; sear the meat, turn over and sear other side. Turn heat down to low-med and finish to desired doneness, longer for well done. You can also put the steak in the oven to finish cooking.
Question

How can I use the finger test to make sure the steak is cooked the way I like it?

Community Answer

Relax your left hand and touch the tip of the index finger of your right hand to the muscle between where the base of the thumb and the base of the index finger are closest. This is analogous to the feel of a rare piece of meat. Close the relaxed left hand and repeat. This is what a medium burger or steak feels like. Next make a tight fist with the left hand and press on the same muscle. This is what well done feels like.
Question

Is it possible to use olive oil?

Community Answer

Yes, but don't let it smoke. Olive oil burns at lower heat than canola oil. Olive oil is a healthier oil, though. When any oil starts to burn or smoke, that is when the oil turns bad.

Warnings

Raw or undercooked steak has the potential to contain harmful bacteria. If you want to stay on the safe side, enjoy your steak once it reaches an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C).^{[11]
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