Blue steak is prepared by quickly searing the outside of the steak over high heat while leaving the interior raw. For those who prefer their meat rare and juicy, blue steak may be the next best thing.
To cook a perfect blue steak at home, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Cut
Choosing the appropriate piece of meat is the first step in making a delicious steak. Something thick and substantial that can withstand high heat without becoming overcooked is ideal for blue steaks.
A rib-eye or sirloin are both good options for blue steaks. Look for cuts that are around 1 inch thick – anything thinner will be difficult to sear properly without overcooking the center.
Step 2: Season Well
A perfectly cooked blue steak doesn’t need much seasoning – just salt and pepper will do. But it’s important to season well before cooking since there won’t be any opportunity to adjust later on.
Before cooking, let the steak remain at room temperature for about half an hour after seasoning both sides with kosher salt and black pepper. It will cook more uniformly if you do this.
Step 3: Preheat Your Pan
To get that crispy exterior while keeping the center raw, you need a pan that can get very hot very quickly. A cast-iron skillet or heavy stainless steel pan works best here.
Get your pan very heated over high heat, which should take around 5 minutes on a standard stove. Before adding the steak, the pan’s surface should be red-hot and smoking.
Step 4: Sear Your Steak
When your pan is hot enough, carefully place your steak in the center of the pan. It should sizzle immediately upon contact with the surface.
Let it cook for about 30 seconds to a minute on each side, until a brown crust forms. Use tongs to flip the steak and sear all sides evenly.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Remove the blue steak from the heat and let it rest for at least five minutes before cutting into it to ensure it is cooked through. By doing so, the juices will be redistributed throughout the flesh rather than leaking out at the cut.
Slice against the grain into thin strips and serve immediately while still warm.
Tips for Cooking Blue Steaks
- Cooking time will vary depending on thickness of steak – use a thermometer if necessary to ensure internal temperature is safe (145°F).
- If you prefer more flavor or char marks on your blue steaks, brush lightly with olive oil or melted butter before seasoning.
- A squeeze of lemon juice over cooked blue steaks can help enhance their natural flavors.
The Perfect Blue Steak Recipe:
- 1 rib-eye or sirloin steak (around 1 inch thick)
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil (optional)
- Lemon juice (optional)
Instruction
- Half an hour before cooking, season the steak well with kosher salt and black pepper at room temperature, and then heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking.
- Throw the steak into the pan and let it cook for a minute or so on each side.
- Take it out of the pan, let it rest for at least 5 minutes, then slice it thinly across the grain against the grain, and serve it while it’s still hot.
If you’re looking to try something new with your steak cooking, blue steaks are definitely worth a try. They might take some getting used to, but once you’ve mastered the art of keeping that center raw while achieving perfect sear marks on the exterior, there’s no going back!