How to cook a frozen steak? It’s a reasonably simple cooking method that is very similar to cooking thawed steaks. Take a frozen steak out of a freezer and pat dry using a paper towel to remove as much moisture as possible. Season the steak with a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—preheat the cast iron skillet and the oven. Sear the steak on a scorching skillet for a minute and a half on each side before removing it from the pan and placing it in the 275 ° Fahrenheit preheated oven—cook to the desired doneness.
In recent years it has become popular to cook frozen steak. It has a few significant advantages, one being that when cooking steak frozen, you’ll notice the absence of a gray band (more about that later). When cooked frozen – steaks are juicier. However, one of the most significant disadvantages is that it takes a long time to cook.
So why is cooking a frozen steak a good idea? Below you’ll find why cooking frozen meat works and how to do it properly.
- Amazing For Steaks
- High Quality
- Nonstick
- Versatile
- Scratch Resistant
How to Cook Frozen Steak: Step-By-Step
How to prepare for cooking a frozen steak -Make sure to freeze the steak properly before cooking it. It is essential to avoid excessive moisture build-up because if it has too much moisture on the steak’s exterior, it can cause dangerous flare-ups, and searing will not be as effective. First, before freezing the steak, remove excess moisture with a paper towel and place the steak on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper. Leave it in a freezer overnight. The following day, take the steak out of the freezer, wrap it tightly in a plastic wrap, and place it in a zipper-lock bag. Place the zipper-lock bag back in a freezer. Keep in mind a half-frozen steak is not great for cooking.
Why do Frozen steaks cook better – Cooking a frozen steak reduces the gray band. It’s a layer of overcooked meat under the charred, caramelized crust. It’s a tasteless and juiceless strip of meat that occurs when searing a fresh steak or a thawed steak. However, when cooking frozen steak, you’ll notice the absence of a gray brand or at least a much thinner strip of the gray band. When frozen steaks are seared, they develop a nice crispy crust. Underneath the crust, steak takes much longer to get up to the desired temperature resulting in a juicier and more tender piece of meat. America’s Test Kitchen’s experiment showed that frozen steaks lost 9% less moisture than thawed steaks.
Step 1: Preheat The Oven
Preheat the oven to 275 °Fahrenheit. Preheat it at the lowest temperature if your oven can cook as low as 135° Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Pat Steak Dry With a Paper Towel
Pat steak dry before searing it. It’ll allow steak to develop a better sear on the outside. Also, since the steak is frozen, it will minimize the risk of flair-ups.
Step 3: Season The Steak
Season the steak with a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to add flavor.
Step 4: Sear The Steak
Preheat cast-iron skillet until scorching. It should reach a temperature over 500° Fahrenheit. If it’s lower than that, the frozen steaks will likely boil rather than sear. It’s essential to use a heavy pan with a thick bottom that retains heat well. When the pan is hot enough to sear the steak add a few tablespoons of cooking oil. Use oil suitable for steak searing. Add steak to the hot skillet and sear for a minute and a half on each side.
Step 5: Place Steak On a Wire Rack
Take steaks out of the pan and place them straight onto a wire rack. Make sure the wire rack is sitting on a rimmed baking sheet. A rimmed baking sheet will collect juices dripping from the steak while the wire rack will allow hot air to circulate steaks cooking them evenly.
Step 6: Cook Steak In The Oven
Slide your steak into the oven on a middle rack and cook them to the desired doneness. Frozen steaks take much longer to cook than fresh ones. Depending on the steak’s thickness and the desired doneness, the steak can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to cook. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the steak’s internal temperature. It’s best to cook steaks to medium-rare or medium to avoid overcooking them. Finish cooking when the meat’s internal temperature is 5° Fahrenheit below the desired doneness. The steak continues to cook when off the heat source. It’s known as carryover cooking.
Step 6: Let Steak rest
Leave steaks to rest for at least 5-10 minutes. Thick-cut steaks need longer resting time, while thinner cuts require less time. When steaks rest, it allows steak juices to redistribute throughout the steak’s interior, making them tender and juicy.
FAQ
Can you cook frozen steaks?
Yes, you can cook frozen steaks. In fact, when cooked from frozen – steaks are juicer and more flavorful.
How long do you cook a frozen steak?
Depending on the steak’s size, thickness, and cooking temperature, it can take 30 minutes to over an hour to cook a frozen steak.
