Simple Sicilian-Style Grilled Steak Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Should I put butter on my steak before grilling? ›

If you do decide to add some fat, stick with olive oil, not butter, says Angelo Auriana, executive chef at Factory Place Hospitality. "There is no real need for butter when cooking a steak because it already has plenty of fat and flavor in the meat itself," he says.

Place the steaks on the grill and cook until golden brown and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the steaks over and continue to grill 3 to 5 minutes for medium-rare (an internal temperature of 135 degrees F), 5 to 7 minutes for medium (140 degrees F) or 8 to 10 minutes for medium-well (150 degrees F).

Just before grilling, brush them lightly on both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Before it hits the Grill

It's best to add oil directly to the steak and not to the grill as oil will burn quickly on the grill causing excess smoke and flare-ups. Season the steak with salt, freshly ground pepper and your choice of other spices, just before placing it onto the hot plate or grill.

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

As a rule of thumb, when cooking steaks that are 1-1/2 inch thick, you want to go by the 3-4 rule. That is, three minutes per side on direct heat, then four minutes per side on indirect heat. That will get your steaks to a beautiful pink medium-rare.

Moral of the story: If you've got the time, salt your meat for at least 40 minutes and up to overnight before cooking. If you haven't got 40 minutes, it's better to season immediately before cooking. Cooking the steak anywhere between three and 40 minutes after salting is the worst way to do it.

Grilling with the lid on or off – Leave the lid open when you're searing steaks and need to keep a close eye on it. Once you move it to indirect heat, you can close the lid and let the smoke do its thing. Quick-cooking foods can usually be cooked (fish, veggies, hot dogs) with the lid open the whole time.

Here's the thing: Cooking a cold steak can be quick to result in uneven cooking, with a well-cooked outside and an undercooked center. Follow this tip: Plan to take the steak out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. This simple step helps the steak cook more evenly.

Should I grill steak with butter or oil? ›

Go for oil, it has a higher smoke point. You need a hot skillet to properly sear a steak, hot enough that a pat of butter will begin to burn before it melts completely. You don't want to sear your steak in burnt butter. So reach for some oil when searing steaks.

If you're cooking steak on the grill, you most definitely should flip it about halfway through the cooking process. We typically recommend flipping your steak just once on the grill because it's not getting direct heat on one side like it would on a pan.

The First Step - Preparing to Grill

Before you put any meat on the grill, consider how you're going to season it and the role olive oil may play. For dry rubs, adding a touch of extra virgin olive oil can ensure that the dry rub sticks, and as an added bonus it imparts an extra layer of flavor.

Much to our surprise steak cooked with olive oil brought out the natural flavors of meat and helped maintain a desirable texture much better than butter.

Once you take them off the grill immediately place 1 oz. of butter on top of each steak and allow to rest tented with foil for 15 minutes before serving. Add more butter for serving if desired.

You see, butter contains fat, and fat, my friends, is a flavor enhancer and a moisture-locking marvel. When a steak hits that hot griddle or grill, a fascinating process called the Maillard reaction takes place. It's like the chemical ballet that turns the steak's surface into that gorgeous brown crust we all crave.

Add you butter last to avoid burning.

Second, by the time your steak is ready the butter will have moved past browned and onto burnt, creating undesirable bitter flavors. Instead, start cooking your steak in the bare pan until it's about 20-30 degrees from your desired doneness, THEN add the butter.

Flavor Profile - Its Amazing

This combination doesn't just add fat; it introduces depth and complexity, enhancing the natural savoriness of the meat. The milk solids in butter brown as they heat, contributing a nutty, caramelized note that complements the umami of the steak.