How to cook a cheap steak!
… and get compliments!
Disclaimer: I hesitated to write this. It seems off topic and I’m not a chef or cook. I’ve chosen to publish it because I am not a chef or a cook. I like good meals and I like to learn. And in the end, I believe the only way to learn is to do. I’ve found I can learn the basics and enjoy the food we cook at home everyday. Perhaps this perspective may help someone else.
One of the challenges in eating healthier is having food I look forward to. I’ve been through the “oh no, not this again?” too many times to waste time eating unappetising food! I want to enjoy every meal! That said, my tastes are simple, meat and veg and the occasional treat.
So when it comes to the basics, steak is one of my go-tos. But it is the absolute pits when it doesn’t turn out right. It’s worse if I buy an expensive cut and screw up the prep and cooking.
I’ve been working on a simple process to cook even a cheap cut of meat that I know I will enjoy it every time!
This is a lazy cook’s guide to delivering a steak to the table you can be proud of. You can still buy high quality meat but if you can only afford the cheap cuts or just don’t want to spend $70/kg read on …
👨🍳 I’m not a chef and have little to no cooking skills.
I try and pick stuff along the way, create a trustworthy process and go from there.
I’m not sure you could mess this up but if you follow the process and it’s no good, let me know. This has never failed me. What follows is all using specific times and measures.
😉 The Cheapskate’s Cheap Steak
Firstly, find a cheap cut of steak at your local meat market. Bag that baby and bring it home with you.
When prepping, you ideally want it to be defrosted (duh!) and at room temperature (huh!) so I put mine in the microwave or oven so it’s not in the open. (Note: neither the oven nor microwave are on). Yes, room temperature make a difference!
When you’re ready to start cooking, season the steak with salt and pepper. I also have lemon pepper seasoning which I’ll use occasionally. I also spray on olive oil (I use a spray because this is the lazy cook’s guide…).
You can season the steak at any time but the earlier the better.
Turn the oven, yes oven, on to 180C and a timer for 9 minutes. That’s about how long it will take to get to 180C. Adding timers makes this so easy. Work out how long your oven will take to reach cooking temperature.
When the timer goes off, and the oven is at the right temp, whack the steaks into the oven on a tray. I use a wire tray on a flat tray with baking paper under the wire tray to minimise clean up.
Depending on the thickness of the steak, put a timer on for 3 minutes (1–2cm thick) maybe 4 minutes if thicker.
🍳 The Pan
I use a cast iron pan by Lodge (no affiliation). I was on the fence for years about cast iron. They seemed too cheap to be true! Just get one, learn how to season it. Thank me later. Like, seriously, get a cast iron pan!
Throw in your oil of choice. Again, I spray mine with olive oil. Butter works too.
When the oven timer goes off after three (or four) minutes. Restart the timer for three more minutes and also turn the heat on the pan. Allow the pan to get hot. We want the steak to get a nice “tan".
When the timer goes off again, pull the steaks from the oven and place them in the pan. Watch out for any spattering of oil, it’s hot!
Cook the steak on each side for 90 secs, three minutes in total.
And you should be done. Serve with sides. I also have a teaspoon or so of mustard just to add some zing! But you don’t need it.
📜 Some Caveats
The temperature and timing will vary based on the appliances you have. Play with a little until you get what you like.
Your pan will also influence the outcome. Have I mentioned getting a cast iron pan? I fry eggs in mine and they never stick. Maybe at first while we are seasoning the pan, but now I am super confident frying eggs straight on to the iron.
🎩 What are your tips?
- How do you cook a cheap steak?
- Let me know if you try this method and the outcome.
Thank you for reading! 😊
My purpose in writing on Medium:
- Personal Development — writing helps me articulate my own thinking. I find trying to create an “argument” for a perspective on paper, quite revealing and at times challenging and I can be more critical of my own thoughts. I frequently find myself thinking: “Why DO I think this?”
- Developing Others — to help people make better choices by helping them think critically and realise their potential. We are often blinded by beliefs and thinking given to us by others.
Did I mention getting a cast iron pan?
Too far? 😉
