How to Cook the Perfect Steak

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Choosing the Right Beef Cut and Cooking the Perfect Steak

With the huge variety of beef cuts available in the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing the popular cuts. Most home cooks stick to familiar favourites like rib-eye, sirloin, fillet, or rump steak, but each cut has its own unique texture, flavour, and best cooking method.

At Otao Kitchen, we believe understanding your ingredients is just as important as mastering your technique. So, let’s dive into some helpful tips and tricks for selecting and cooking the perfect steak—whether you're pan-searing, grilling, or broiling.

How to Cook the Perfect Steak

🥩 Before You Cook: Choosing the Cut and Getting the Pan Ready

Each cut of beef is suited to different cooking methods:

  • Rib-eye: Rich in fat, tender, and perfect for high-heat grilling or pan-searing.

  • Sirloin: Leaner than rib-eye, still flavourful—great for frying or BBQ.

  • Fillet (Tenderloin): Super tender, low fat—best pan-fried or grilled quickly.

  • Rump Steak: Chewy but flavourful—ideal for marinating and grilling.

Regardless of your chosen cut, getting the pan or grill piping hot is the key to a good sear. For pan-cooked steaks, we recommend using a cast iron skillet—it retains heat beautifully, helping you achieve that golden crust while sealing in the juices.

🔥 Tip: A hot surface = better caramelisation = more flavour.


🔄 During Cooking: One Flip Only!

It’s tempting to keep checking and flipping your steak, but resist the urge. For the best texture:

  • Cook on one side until moisture beads appear on the surface.

  • Flip only once, then finish cooking the second side.

  • If you’re using a BBQ grill with a lid, don’t lift the lid too often—the temperature drops and disrupts the cooking process.

Whether you're using a stovetop or grill, keeping the heat steady and the steak untouched helps retain moisture and build that rich, crispy crust.


⏲️ After Cooking: Let It Rest

Once your steak is off the heat, give it time to rest for 5–10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier, more tender bite. You can finish it with a pat of butter or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added flavour.


🍽️ Learn to Cook the Perfect Steak – and More – at Otao Kitchen!

Want to master steak and other impressive dishes? Join our hands-on cooking classes! Whether you're a beginner or an aspiring chef, our expert instructors will guide you through:

  • Selecting the right cuts and ingredients

  • Cooking techniques for meat, seafood, and vegetables

  • Tips and tricks that make a real difference in the kitchen

🔗 Explore our cooking classes now and take your home cooking to the next level with Otao Kitchen.


Looking for more inspiration? Try our Masterclass or Private Team Cooking Events where you'll learn to handle meats like a pro!

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