How to Grill Sirloin Steak

Co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano

Last Updated: July 11, 2022 References Approved

Whether you use a gas grill or a charcoal grill, you can learn how to grill sirloin steak without a lot of fuss. Steaks don't require a lot of seasoning or work because they naturally taste great. Sirloins, in particular, are perfect grilling steaks that you can quickly toss on the grill for an incredible entree.

Prep time: 20-25 minutes
Cook time: 10-20 minutes
Total time: 30-45 minutes

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Working the Grill

1
Purchase the right sirloin steak. The sirloin is from the rear part of the beef, specifically the hip. Look for steaks that are marbled, where the white stripes of fat are interspersed evenly throughout the meat. Choose steaks with a light, bright red color, and pick steaks that are 1 inch (25.4 mm) to 1-1/2 inches (38.1 mm) thick.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Ask the butcher to cut you a fresh steak if they all seem brown on the outside -- this means they have been sitting out in the air for too long.
2
Know that the type of grill you use impacts the flavor of your steak. Many people swear that a grilled steak, with a little salt and pepper, is one of nature's finest meals. Sirloins, though not extra tender, pack a lot of flavor even without seasoning. The real flavor comes from the interaction between the meat and the heat source. They only need a light searing on the outside to taste flavorful and juicy. Depending on your grill, you may get very different flavors from your steak:
- Propane: Gas grills impart little additional flavor on the meat. They are, however, easy to control and get hot the quickest. You can adjust the temperatures with a simple knob, allowing you to perfect the cooking process to your liking, and they usually have attached thermometers.
- Charcoal: Briquettes light up relatively fast and get hot quickly. They impart the "classic" BBQ flavor, with a hint of smokiness, but are a bit trickier to get to the right temperature.
- Wood-fire: Wood chips, like hickory or oak, give the best natural flavor to the meat. However, they are harder to maintain and light, so many people use a mixture of charcoal and wood to get the best of both worlds.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Preheat your grill to medium heat. If you are using charcoal and/or wood this might take 30-40 minutes, until the briquets are covered in gray ash, but propane grills only take a few minutes to get hot. Aim to have the inside of the grill around 375°F by leaving the cover on as it heats.^{[3]
X
Research source}The thinner the steak, the hotter you want the grill:
- 3/4-1 inch thick: 360-400°F You shouldn't be able to hold your hand over the grill longer than 4-5 seconds.
- 1-1 1/2 inch thick: 325-360°F You shouldn't be able to hold your hand over the grill longer than 5-6 seconds.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
4
Rub the steak with salt and pepper while the grill heats. Most steaks are best with only a little bit of seasoning. Rub 1/2 tablespoon of both salt and crushed black pepper on both sides of the steak and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while the grill heats.^{[5]
X
Research source} You want the steak to sit at room temperature so that it isn't cold when you put it on the grill-- this can cause the meat to contract and tighten up as it cooks.
- Be liberal with the salt -- a nice crusting is perfect, but you should still be able to see the meat underneath.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Bigger kernels of salt (course sea salt or kosher salt, for example) will caramelize the outside better, so avoid using fine table salt whenever possible.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- If you have the time, let the steak rest after seasoning it for about 1 hour, as this will give you even better results.
5
Place your steak over direct heat on the grill. You want to sear the outside with a nice, caramelized crust for the best texture and flavor. Slap the steak over the flame and then leave it alone, closing the top of the grill as it cooks.^{[8]
X
Research source} Resist the urge to poke, prod, or move it as it cooks.
6
Cook each side of the steak over direct heat for 4-7 minutes, depending on desired doneness. They should be dark brown when you flip them over. If they are black, the grill was too hot. If they are pink, the grill was not hot enough, so try and raise the heat or leave them over the flame for another 4-7 minutes. You can also turn them 45 degrees halfway through cooking to get the perfect cross-cut grill marks. For reference:
- Medium rare steaks should be grilled for roughly 5 minutes a side.
- Medium steaks should be grilled for roughly 7 minutes a side.
- Well done steaks should be cooked for ten minutes on each side, then left on indirect heat to keep cooking.
- Use tongs to turn the steak instead of a fork as piercing it causes the juices to drain out.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
7
Remove the steak from direct heat and let it cook indirectly if you want a well-done steak. Move the steak to another side of the grill, one without direct flame, and let it keep cooking until the inside is done to your liking. With a charcoal grill you can open or close the top vent to control the smokiness, closing it for smokier texture. You can use a meat thermometer to gauge the meat's internal cooking, or just estimate with time.
- Rare: 130-135°F. Remove immediately after flipping each side.
- Medium-Rare: 140°F. Sear each side for an extra minute or 30 seconds longer than you would for a rare steak.
- Medium: 155°F. Let it continue cooking for an extra 1-2 minutes off of direct heat. Flip halfway through.
- Well Done: 165°F Let the steak cook on indirect heat for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
8
Use the "hand test" to check for doneness.If you don't have a meat thermometer you can use your hands to check for doneness. Press on the center of the steak with one finger. For medium steaks, it should have a give, similar to pressing on the center of your palm. For medium-rare it will feel bouncy and spongy, like the pad right below your thumb.^{[11]
X
Research source}
9
Let the steak stand for 10 minutes at room temperature before eating. Tent a piece of aluminum foil over the steak and let it rest before eating. This traps the flavors in the meat and leads to a better tasting steak.^{[12]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Variations

1
Rub a seasoning over the meat in place of salt and pepper. Dry rubs add flavor to meat without ruining their tenderness, and are often sold as "seasoned salts" or "steak seasonings." You can also, however, make your own. Mix the following spices with 1/2 tablespoon salt and crushed black pepper, then massage the rub into both sides of the sirloin. Use equal parts of each spice, roughly 1-1/2 tablespoons, and don't be afraid to mix and match.
- Onion powder, paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder.
- Dried rosemary, thyme, and oregano, garlic powder.
- Cayenne, chili powder, paprika, Mexican oregano, garlic powder.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
- Brown sugar, chili pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and ground coffee^{[14]
  X
  Research source}
2
Soak the sirloin in a wet marinade to get a moist, delicious flavor. Wet marinades are only effective overnight, so don't make one at the last minute and expect a lot of taste changes. The acid in wet marinades (vinegar, lemon juice, etc.) breaks down some of the meat tissue, making the meat more tender.^{[15]
X
Research source} Too much acid, however, can ruin the texture and make a crispy grilled exterior impossible. Place the steaks in a bag with the marinade and leave them in the fridge overnight to get the best results.
- 1/3 cups of soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, plus 1-2 tablespoons garlic powder, dried basil, parsley, rosemary, and crushed black pepper.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1 cup vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2-3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper.
- You can also try dry-brining. Dry age the steak by removing it from the package and drying both sides with a clean paper towel. Then, leave it on a plate in the fridge, uncovered, overnight.
3
Brush a pat of butter on top of the sirloin for steakhouse richness. There is a reason that most steakhouse steaks come with a pat of butter on top. Butter seeps into the cuts of the meat and elevates it into the perfect entree. You can try making compound butter with spices and herbs as well to get an extra flavor. To make compound butter, mix 6 tablespoons butter with herbs in a food processor, then freeze the mixture until it is time to put on your steak. You can also heat it on low on the stove top and brush the melted butter and herbs on the steak when it is done.
- 1 teaspoon thyme, sage, rosemary, chopped.
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, cilantro, and cayenne pepper.
4
Top your steak. Most steaks can stand by themselves as delicious meals, but a well-chosen topping can make them even better. Things to try on top include:
- Caramelized onions, peppers, or mushrooms.
- Fried onions.
- Blue cheese crumbles.
- Sour cream.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you tell if a steak is done without cutting it?

Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator
Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University.

Ollie George Cigliano

Private Chef & Food Educator

Expert Answer

Check the temperature with a meat thermometer before removing it from the grill! A medium-rare steak should be 125-130°F (51.6-54.4°C), a medium steak should be 135-140°F (57.2-60°C), a medium-well steak should be 145-150°F (63.7-65.5°C), and a well-done steak should be 155-160°F (68.3-71.1°C).
Question

What is the best way to serve a grilled steak?

Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator
Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University.

Ollie George Cigliano

Private Chef & Food Educator

Expert Answer

Remove the steak from the grill when it reaches your desired doneness and place it on a cutting board or serving platter. Then, loosely place a piece of aluminum foil over the steak and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice against the grain to cut and serve the meat.
Question

Is sirloin tip steak good for grilling?

Community Answer

Yes, but you need to have a thin slice so the edges won't get overcooked when trying to bring up the temperature.