My Top 3 Tips to Get a Great Sear on Your Steak

As someone who enjoys steak at least once a week, these are some of my favorite tips for getting that beautiful, even crust on your steak. And I know #3 might sound a bit controversial, but trust me, leaving off the dried herbs and pepper will really help you get that flawless sear.

1. Pre-Heat Your Cast Iron Pan

Pre-heat your pan! Turn on your stove to medium to medium-high heat and allow your cast iron pan to preheat for about 10 minutes. This might seem like a long time, but a well-heated pan ensures that your steak starts to sear the moment it hits the surface, locking in those delicious juices and creating a perfect crust. If you're unsure if the pan is hot enough, you can splash a few drops of water on it—if they sizzle and evaporate almost immediately, you’re ready to go.

2. Use Beef Tallow or Avocado Oil

Choosing the right fat for searing is also important because it affects both the flavor and the quality of the sear. I recommend using beef tallow or avocado oil, as both have high smoke points. This means they can withstand the high temperatures needed for searing without burning. Beef tallow adds a rich, beefy flavor that complements the steak, while avocado oil has a more neutral taste.

3. Don’t Season Your Steak Before Searing

I know this might sound controversial, but I've found that I always get a better sear when I do not season my steak prior to cooking. Herbs and pepper can burn at high temperatures, turning bitter and affecting the overall taste of the steak. Instead, I recommend patting your steak dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, which can prevent a good sear. Then, after cooking, you can sprinkle your salt and any other seasonings on the steak. 

Bonus Tips:

• Let Your Steak Reach Room Temperature: Before cooking, let your steak sit out for about 30 minutes to reach room temperature. This helps it cook more evenly.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: To achieve the perfect doneness, use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F.
• Rest Your Steak: After cooking, let your steak rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Have You Ever Bought Beef Directly From a Farm?

If you’re interested in trying out these tips on our pasture-raised beef, just click here!

Our farm is located in West Central Georgia, where all of our cattle are raised on our pastures from birth until finish. In addition to selling our beef locally, we also ship anywhere in the contiguous U.S. We would love to send you a box of our beef that we so proudly raise.