For those embracing the carnivore diet, steak isn't just a meal; it's a cornerstone. The carnivore diet emphasizes animal products, primarily meat, making the quality and preparation of steak paramount. As someone who raises beef cattle, I understand the dedication required to produce excellent steak. However, the finest beef can be ruined by improper cooking. How you cook a steak matters just as much as how the animal was raised.
Selecting the Right Cut
Choosing the right cut of steak is crucial for the best flavor and texture. While filet mignon offers a delicate, buttery texture, other cuts like ribeye provide a richer, more robust flavor. Grassfed Ribeye Steaks from Aldi are a budget-friendly option, often available in packs of two.
Essential Tips for Cooking Perfect Steak
Over the years, I’ve cooked thousands of steaks, making almost every mistake imaginable. These tips will help you cook the perfect steak, every time.
1. Defrosting Your Steak Quickly and Safely
If you forgot to take your steak out of the freezer, don't worry. Submerge the frozen steak (in its package) in a bowl of cold water for about an hour, changing the water halfway through. Ensure the packaging is sealed to prevent water from seeping in. Never defrost your steak in the microwave or on the kitchen counter for food safety reasons.
2. Bring Steak to Room Temperature
Allowing your steak to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking ensures more even cooking. While you don’t need to measure the exact temperature, this step helps the steak cook uniformly.
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3. Patting the Steak Dry
Before cooking, pat the steaks dry with paper towels. This is especially important if the meat is seeping blood. Drying the meat ensures good contact with the pan, promoting a desirable crust. Place a stack of paper towels under the steak and another stack on top. Press down gently and pat down the sides of the meat. If the steak isn’t dry, it won’t get crispy on the outside.
4. Seasoning Simply
When it comes to seasoning, less is often more. I personally use only salt to season my steaks. Salt releases moisture in the muscle of the meat and releases the natural flavors of steak. Seasoning with kosher salt just before cooking works well, though some chefs recommend salting immediately after removing the meat from the refrigerator. The key is to season before cooking, not at the table.
5. Choosing the Right Cooking Oil
Using the right cooking oil is crucial. Oils with high smoke points, such as avocado oil, soybean oil, and canola oil (all with smoke points between 400 and 520 degrees), are ideal. Clarified butter, with a smoke point of 450 degrees, is another excellent option. Avoid oils with low smoke points, like olive oil, which can smoke and impart a burnt flavor.
6. Using the Right Pan and Ensuring It's Hot
Cast iron skillets are highly recommended for cooking steak because they retain and distribute heat evenly, which is essential for achieving a good sear and caramelization. Ensure the skillet is very hot before adding the steak, but not smoking.
7. Flipping the Steak
Contrary to common belief, frequent flipping can improve the final result by ensuring the steak cooks more evenly through the center. Don’t worry about flipping your steak too often.
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8. Avoiding Overcooking
Overcooking is the most common mistake when cooking steak. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the cut and the heat of the cooking surface. Use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature accurately. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit, removing it from the heat when it's about 5 degrees lower than the desired temperature, as it will continue to cook on the plate.
9. Resting the Steak
Resting the steak after cooking is crucial for retaining its juices. When you prepare a steak on a scorching hot skillet or grill, you're forming a crust that locks in moisture. Thin steaks should rest for 5-7 minutes, while thicker cuts should rest for at least 10 minutes. Ideally, the center of the steak should cool down to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit during this time.
10. Cutting Against the Grain and Serving Warm
How you present a steak affects its flavor and texture. Always cut against the grain to make the beef more tender. Warm the plate before serving to maintain the steak's temperature.
Carnivore Steak Recipe: Step-by-Step
This recipe celebrates the essence of meat with minimal seasoning and a focus on high-quality ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Steak (Ribeye, Filet Mignon, or your preferred cut)
- Sea salt
- Cooking fat (tallow, bacon fat, or butter)
Instructions:
- Bring to Room Temperature: Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Season Generously: Sprinkle sea salt on both sides of the steak (add a dash of black pepper if desired).
- Preheat Your Pan: Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan.
- Add Fat to the Pan: Once the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of your chosen cooking fat.
- Sear the Steak: Carefully place the steak in the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes on one side without moving it.
- Flip and Cook: Turn the steak over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes for medium-rare.
- Rest the Steak: Remove the steak from the pan and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
Air Fryer Carnivore Steak Bites
For a quick and easy option, air fryer steak bites are a great choice.
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Ingredients:
- Boneless sirloin tip roast (or other lean cut)
- Bacon fat or tallow
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley
- Salt
Instructions:
- Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss the steak pieces with melted bacon fat or tallow.
- Mix garlic powder, red pepper flakes, parsley, and salt in a bowl.
- Coat the steak pieces with the seasoning mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF for 5 minutes.
- Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes, adjusting the time based on your desired doneness.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Garlic butter steak bites are rich, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- Beef tenderloin (or other cut)
- Butter
- Garlic
- Coconut aminos
- Spices
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients (except olive oil and butter) to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss to coat, ensuring all pieces of meat are evenly coated in the coconut aminos and spices.
- If time allows, refrigerate for 2-24 hours.
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the steak bites to the pan and sear on all sides.
- Once the steak bites are nicely seared, add the butter to the pan.
Serving Suggestions
While the carnivore diet primarily focuses on meat, you can add variety with a side of eggs or a small salad. Creamy carnivore mayonnaise or herb butter can also elevate your steak.