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Perfectly cooked reverse sear steak sliced to reveal a pink medium-rare center, served with golden fries and fresh arugula salad.
Reda

Reverse Sear Steak

The foolproof method for edge-to-edge pink, perfectly seared steak every single time.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Steak
  • 2 lb boneless ribeye or New York strip steaks 1.5 to 2 inches thick, at room temperature
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt plus more as needed
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil avocado, canola, or grapeseed
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves smashed
  • 3 fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs

Equipment

  • Oven-safe wire rack and rimmed baking sheet
  • Cast iron skillet or heavy stainless steel pan
  • Instant-Read Thermometer
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prep
  1. Pat steaks completely dry with paper towels. Season all over with kosher salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate uncovered up to 24 hours for deeper seasoning.
  2. Preheat oven to 250F. Place steaks on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until internal temperature reaches 110F for medium-rare, about 20 to 30 minutes depending on thickness. Start checking at 15 minutes.
Sear
  1. When steaks hit 105F, heat oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until just smoking, about 3 minutes. You want the pan ripping hot for a proper crust.
  2. Sear steaks 1 minute per side until deep golden brown. Add butter, garlic, and herbs. Tilt pan and spoon foaming butter over steaks for 30 seconds per side. Remove when internal temp hits 120F for medium-rare carryover cooking.
  3. Transfer steaks to a cutting board and rest 5 to 10 minutes. The temperature will rise to about 125F. Slice against the grain and spoon any pan butter over top.

Notes

Thick steaks are non-negotiable here - anything under 1.5 inches will overcook before developing a crust. If your steaks are different thicknesses, pull the thinner one early and keep it warm while the thicker finishes. For a restaurant-quality finish, dry-brine overnight in the fridge - the surface moisture evaporates, giving you an even better sear.