If you’ve cooked steak before, you’re probably aware that various factors can influence your steak’s flavor. The first is the type of oil you use because oils for cooking steak require a high smoke point meaning they should withstand the heat of 400°F and higher.
When thinking about the best oil for cooking steak, know that oil can affect how the steak cooks and tastes, and you want an oil that will bring out the flavor of your steak, that won’t throw up a bunch of smoke when you’re cooking and ensure that your steak doesn’t taste burnt.
However, the best oil for cooking steak includes Canola Oil, peanut oil, refined avocado oil, grapeseed oil, extra light olive oil, and sunflower oil.
Best Oil For Cooking Steak
The best oil for cooking steak is an oil with a neutral flavor and high smoking point because oil with a low smoke point can burn quickly and transfer burnt flavors to your steak.
Here is our best oil for cooking steak.
1. Canola Oil
Canola oil is a vegetable-based oil made from crushed canola seeds from the rapeseed plant. It has a high smoking point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the best oil for cooking steak and many other items. It is used for pan frying, sautéing, grilling steak, and salad dressings.
Canola oil are in Omega 3s and contains no sodium, cholesterol, sugars, or trans-fats in the ingredients. Everything is pure and natural, and many nutrients are also available.
2. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil, also called groundnut oil, is another best oil for cooking steak; it is made from the seed or the nut of a peanut plant With a high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit which is high enough to sear steak perfectly. You don’t have to worry about the oil negatively affecting your flavor!
Peanut oil has a wide variety of flavors. So, using a neutral version will not affect the steak’s natural flavor. It is a good source of vitamin E and antioxidants. This oil is produced in smaller quantities than others making it a bit expensive.
Peanut oil is usually used in baking, sautéing, frying, and other forms of cooking. It is gluten-free, trans-fat-free, and pure oil.
3. Refined Avocado Oil
Avocado oil can be refined or unrefined. When using avocado oil as the best oil for cooking steak, it is advisable to use refined oil because unrefined oils are left in their natural state, meaning they are not processed through heating, bleaching or filtering.
However, refined oil, which means that it has been extracted using heat and then purified, has a mild flavor compared to unrefined. So, you’ll maintain the meat’s natural flavor when cooking a steak using refined avocado oil.
Refined avocado oil has the highest smoking point out of all the oils, coming in at an impressive 520 degrees Fahrenheit; this means it’s a great option that won’t burn or smoke at the high temperatures needed.
4. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil has a relatively high smoking point of about 390 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the best oil for cooking steak if you’re using a cast-iron skillet; this oil comes from grapes; after the grapes are pressed, the leftover seeds are extracted to make the oil.
It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, making it one of the healthier options when used instead of saturated or trans fats. It is used in salads, salad dressing, and mayonnaise because of its unique and light taste.
Meanwhile, when buying grapeseed oil for steak cooking, it is best to get the organic one that has been cold-pressed because it is Gluten-free and Pure oil.
5. Extra Light Olive Oil
Extra light olive oil is an excellent option for cooking steaks. These oils have a smoking point of 468 degrees Fahrenheit which is more than enough for cooking steaks since searing occurs at around 400°F. Extra light olive oil is refined olive; its smoking point is higher than extra virgin olive oil.
However, It’s perfect for frying, cooking, grilling, baking, and more! If you check the ingredient, you will notice no trans-fat or funny elements added. So, It is an all-natural oil that is gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and also non-allergenic.
6. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is another excellent oil for searing steak with its neutral taste and a high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, making it among the best for cooking steak.
Meanwhile, always remember that all unsaturated oils break down when heated for so long, and sunflower oil is no exception. Once the steak develops a golden brown crust, turn the heat to medium while it continues cooking to your liking.
How To Pick An Oil For Cooking Steak
Before choosing any oil for your steak, remember a few things.
1. Smoking point: When picking oil for your steak, whether frying, grilling, or searing steak, it is vital to take note of the smoke point of the oil you are using; however, using oil with a low smoking point can affect the flavor of your steak.
So, always choose an oil with a high smoke point (above 400 F) for your steak.
2. Ingredients: Ingredients have a massive impact on your steak. It is better to go for pure oils without added ingredients so their smoking point will not be affected. The ingredients can also affect the oil’s flavor, health, and nutrients.
So, looking for pure and natural oil for your steak is better.
3. Variety: Remember that most oils can work well with any cooking method. The results may vary in doneness, flavor, and smoke point, but if you’ve no choice and are dying to have steak, use what you have.
How to Cook Steak
1. By Frying
Start by tossing the steak into a frying pan. Fire a pan on medium heat, warm up a teaspoon of oil for a minute, and lay your steak in the pan.
Ensure you turn on your stovetop fan and keep your pan covered because this tends to be smoky. And know that a 1-inch thick steak should cook for 4 minutes on each side, depending on how you like it.
2. By Oven Roasting
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, grab an oven-safe heavy frying pan.
2. Turn the burner on high heat, and warm that skillet until it’s piping hot.
3. Drop a teaspoon of oil mentioned in the pan and let it heat up.
4. Using tongs, gently put the steak in the pan and sear each side for about 90 seconds to help lock in the juices.
5. Now, place the pan in the oven and roast the meat for 6-9 minutes, depending on how you like it.
If you don’t have an iron skillet, hope is not lost. Regular frying pan can be use to sear the steak, and then transfer it and all the juices to an oven-safe pan to finish the roasting process.
3. By Grilling
Grill tends to be the best method for meat lovers.
1. Ensure your barbecue is piping hot (at least 450 degrees F) to the grill.
2. Pour a little olive oil on a paper towel or a small brush and rub the grill slats before you lay the steak down.
3. Once on the grill, reduce the heat to medium and keep the lid down. After 4-5 minutes, it’s time to turn the steak over and let it go another 4-5 minutes on the other side.
Frequently Asked Question
Should I Season My Steak
Seasoning and marinating are essential factors when cooking steak. Seasoning steak with spices is recommended for tender steak cuts because they’re too soft to marinate, and adding too much flavor can affect them.
Marinades are best for stricter cuts like flanks, chuck, and sometimes sirloin. It is best to use marinades with citrus twists like lemon and herb, if you want to tenderize tough steak.
Be careful when using salt to season steak, particularly tender cuts; salt is known for toughening steak before cooking. The best way to use salt steak is after cooking the steak. You can add salt to meat before cooking.
And let the salted steak sit for an hour, then rinse it under cold water and pat it to dry.
5 Tips for Cooking a Great Steak
1. Decide how you want the steak done before cooking: A few people like it near raw, but most prefer steaks from medium rare to well-done. If you decide in advance, whichever you like, pay attention to it and remove the meat on time.
2. Do not turn the meat often: Usually, you should have one flip or two at most. Resist the temptation to touch the steak too much.
3. Use tongs when turning the steak: Poking it with a fork puts holes in it and lets the juice seep out, making it dry.
4. Don’t mash the steak with your tongs: It is as bad as poking it with a fork and pressing all the juices. If you’re testing for doneness, gently press with the flat part of your tongs. The harder the meat is, the drier it will be.
5. Don’t gobble up the steak when you stop cooking it: Please put it on a plate and rest for a few minutes. You’ll notice that a lovely juice oozes out as it settles.
Conclusion
To make a good steak, choose the right oil with an excellent smoking point so the meat will be well-cooked and not burned.
Also, remember that pure oil without added ingredients is the best when looking for the best oil for cooking steak. You can opt for any oil mentioned above to get the best result from your steak.
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