To calculate steak cooking times effectively, you can use a steak cook time calculator, which requires inputs such as the type of steak, thickness, and desired doneness.
For Example….
For a Ribeye Steak (1 inch thick, medium-rare):
- Time per side: 4 minutes
- Total cooking time: 1 inch × 4 minutes × 2 = 8 minutes
For a Sirloin Steak (1.5 inches thick, medium):
- Time per side: 5 minutes
- Total cooking time: 1.5 inches × 5 minutes × 2 = 15 minutes
For a Filet Mignon (2 inches thick, rare):
- Time per side: 3 minutes
- Total cooking time: 2 inches × 3 minutes × 2 = 12 minutes
Steak Cook Time Calculator
| Steak Type | Thickness (inches) | Rare (minutes) | Medium Rare (minutes) | Medium (minutes) | Well Done (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ribeye | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Sirloin | 1 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 |
| Filet Mignon | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| T-Bone | 1.5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| Porterhouse | 2 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
| Thickness | Doneness | Cooking Method | Starting Temp | Calculation | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | Medium-Rare | Grill (450°F) | Room Temp | (1 × 8) + 1 | 9 minutes |
| 1.5 inches | Medium | Pan-Sear | Refrigerated | (1.5 × 10) + 2 | 17 minutes |
| 2 inches | Rare | Oven (275°F) then Sear | Room Temp | (2 × 15) – 2 | 28 minutes |
| 0.75 inch | Well-Done | Grill (500°F) | Refrigerated | (0.75 × 12) + 3 | 12 minutes |
| 1.25 inches | Medium-Well | Reverse Sear | Room Temp | (1.25 × 11) + 1 | 15 minutes |
Steak Cook Time Chart
Here’s a steak cook time chart for grilling, based on a 1-inch thick steak:
| Doneness | Internal Temperature | Grill Time (per side) |
|---|---|---|
| Rare | 125°F (52°C) | 3-4 minutes |
| Medium-Rare | 135°F (57°C) | 4-5 minutes |
| Medium | 145°F (63°C) | 5-6 minutes |
| Medium-Well | 150°F (66°C) | 6-7 minutes |
| Well-Done | 160°F (71°C) | 7-8 minutes |
Steak Cook Time Formula
The steak cook time formula can be expressed as:
Total Cook Time = (Thickness in inches × Cook Factor) + Adjustment
Where:
- Cook Factor depends on the cooking method (e.g., 7-8 minutes per inch for grilling)
- Adjustment accounts for doneness preference and starting temperature
For example, let’s calculate the cook time for a 1.5-inch thick steak, grilled to medium-rare:
Total Cook Time = (1.5 × 8) + 1 = 13 minutes
We used 8 minutes per inch as the Cook Factor for grilling, and added 1 minute as an Adjustment for medium-rare doneness.
The total cook time would be about 13 minutes, or 6-7 minutes per side.
How many minutes should I cook a steak each side?
For a 1-inch thick steak cooked on a grill or in a skillet:
- Rare: 2-3 minutes per side
- Medium-Rare: 3-4 minutes per side
- Medium: 4-5 minutes per side
- Medium-Well: 5-6 minutes per side
- Well-Done: 6-7 minutes per side
For thicker steaks, you may need to employ the “sear and oven” method. This involves searing the steak for 2-3 minutes per side on high heat, then finishing it in a preheated oven (375°F/190°C) for a few additional minutes until the desired internal temperature is reached.
How long to cook steak by weight?
Here’s a general rule for oven-roasting beef:
- Rare: 15-20 minutes per pound
- Medium: 20-25 minutes per pound
- Well-Done: 25-30 minutes per pound
These times assume an oven temperature of 350°F (175°C). For example, a 2-pound roast cooked to medium would take approximately 40-50 minutes.
How long do you cook a 1 inch steak for?
The cooking time for a 1-inch steak varies based on the cooking method and desired doneness:
For grilling or pan-searing:
- Rare: 6-8 minutes total (3-4 minutes per side)
- Medium-Rare: 8-10 minutes total (4-5 minutes per side)
- Medium: 10-12 minutes total (5-6 minutes per side)
- Medium-Well: 12-14 minutes total (6-7 minutes per side)
- Well-Done: 14-16 minutes total (7-8 minutes per side)
These times assume a high heat setting and that the steak has been brought to room temperature before cooking. For best results, let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
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