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Best Oven Temp For Steak 

Published by Izzy

on Mar 11, 2023

If you’re preparing steak in the oven, you may be wondering what’s the best oven temp to use. Keep reading to learn how you can get the juiciest, most flavorful steak in the oven, whether you’re roasting, broiling or using the reverse sear method.

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Once you’ve mastered the art of the oven-baked steak, you may never look back! Between the high cooking temperature and the indirect heat, you’ve got a recipe for a gorgeous golden brown exterior and juicy meat on the inside. 

In this post, you’ll learn the right oven temp for steakhouse-worthy results at home. We’re covering everything you need to know to make the most delicious oven-baked steak! 

What Temp To Cook Steak In Oven

When preparing steak in the oven, it’s always best to use very high temperatures. A higher temperature means a shorter cooking time, which is ideal for keeping the steak moist and juicy. Since steak releases moisture during the cooking process, you’ll want to keep it in the oven for the shortest possible time. 

We recommend baking your steak at a high temperature between 400 to 450°F. This is a good oven temp for a short cooking time and a juicy, flavorful steak. 

Note: Although steakhouse ovens can go as high as 700°F, domestic ovens typically reach a maximum of 450°F. 

Here are a few of our recommendations for cooking steak in the oven: 

• Your oven should be fully preheated before putting the steak in. We suggest allowing the oven to heat up for 15 minutes before you’re ready to start baking. 
• Place the oven rack in the upper middle position, which receives more heat than the bottom of the oven. Remember, hot air rises. 
• If you have a convection oven or a forced air feature, go ahead and use it. This allows for faster, more even cooking. 
• An oven thermometer accurately measures the oven temp for the most accurate results. 
• Use your kitchen exhaust fan to help with ventilation, since steak tends to smoke at higher temperatures. 
• You’ll definitely want to use oven mitts to safely handle the pan, which will be blisteringly hot.

Broiling Steak in the Oven

A broiler is typically located towards the top of the oven and provides high, direct heat that sears the steak until the exterior is deliciously crisp. Look for the “broil” setting on your oven and turn it up to the max, positioning the oven rack as close as possible to the top. 

Broilers are more effective on electric stoves and tend to be weaker on gas stoves. If you have a gas stove at home, we recommend roasting steak at a temp between 400 and 450°F. 

How Long to Cook Steak In The Oven

There are several factors that can influence the cooking time of steak. The size and thickness of the steak will definitely play a role, as well as your desired doneness. For example, a 2-inch steak will need to stay in the oven for a bit longer than a 1-inch steak. Similarly, a medium-well steak takes longer to cook than a medium-rare steak. Another factor to consider is the efficiency of your oven and whether you’re using a convection oven or the forced air feature. 

Since there are so many factors at play, it can be nearly impossible to estimate how long to cook steak in the oven. The cooking time can range from 5 minutes for a thin, rare steak, to as much as 35 minutes for a thicker, well-done steak. Time simply isn’t a reliable method of determining when your steak is ready to eat. 

Though it may be tempting, don’t cut the steak to check if it’s reached your desired doneness. This can cause all the delicious juices to seep out, which will lead to a dry, chewy steak.  

Instead, we recommend measuring the internal temp using a meat thermometer. More on that below. 

When Is It Done: Steak Internal Temp

The USDA advises that beef is safe to eat once it’s reached a minimum internal temp of 145°F, which is considered a medium-well steak. Regardless of this recommendation, millions of foodies enjoy having steak at lower temperatures, with medium-rare considered by many to be the best level of doneness. 

Use the chart below to see which internal temperatures correspond to the different levels of doneness: 

For best results, remove the steak when it reaches 5-10°F below the desired internal temp. Then, allow it to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the temperature will continue to increase. This helps to keep the steak juicy and reduces the risk of overcooking. 

How to Measure the Internal Temp of Steak

When you suspect the steak is done, remove it from the oven. Insert the probe of an instant-read thermometer horizontally through the thickest part of the steak and wait a few seconds for the reading. If it’s more than 5-10 degrees below your desired internal temp, give it some more time in the oven. If the temperature is high enough, cover with a piece of foil in a tent-like shape and allow the steak to rest before serving.

A more convenient option is to use a wireless dual-probe thermometer, which allows you to continually monitor the internal temp without needing to open the oven. The probe stays inserted throughout the cooking process and you can check the reading remotely. 

Reverse Sear Steak Oven Temp

For super thick cuts of steak, you may want to try the reverse sear method. Reverse searing helps to decrease the cooking time that would typically be necessary for large, thick pieces of meat. 

First, you’ll roast the steak in the oven at a low temperature of 275°F. Remove from the oven once it reaches an internal temp that is 10°F below your desired doneness, as indicated in the chart above. To finish it off, sear the steak in a cast-iron skillet over high heat for two minutes on each side. You can serve the steak immediately without needing the usual resting period. 

Tip for Cooking the Best Steak in the Oven

• Allow the steaks to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before you’re ready to cook. We don’t advise putting a cold steak in the oven, since this can result in uneven cooking and an undercooked middle. Thicker steaks will need to be left at room temperature for a longer time. 
• Remove excess moisture with a paper towel to help achieve that beautiful browning on the outside of the steak.
• Use a high smoke point oil like canola, sunflower or sesame oil. We don’t recommend using lower smoke point oils like olive and coconut oil, or melted butter. Generously rub the steak with the oil before adding your seasonings. 
• Use a salty dry rub to season the steaks. Salt helps to tenderize the meat while herbs and spices add lots of flavor. 
• Preheat the oven and allow it to fully heat up before putting in the steak. For more accurate cooking, use an oven thermometer. 
• If you opt for the reverse sear method, use a cast-iron skillet. These types of skillets cook the steak evenly and helps you achieve a gorgeous caramelized crust. 
• The best way to determine doneness is to measure the internal temp. We recommend using an instant-read thermometer or a wireless dual-probe thermometer. Avoid cutting into the steak until you’re actually ready to eat. 
• Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes before eating. During this time, the internal temp will continue to increase by up to 5°F. Remove the steak from the oven when it’s 5°F below your desired internal temp to account for this carryover cooking time.

FAQ

What temperature do you cook steak in the oven?

When roasting steak in the oven, we recommend using a cooking temp between 400 and 450°F. For broiling, higher temperatures are typically used – between 450°F and 550°F. If you’re using the reverse sear method, use a lower oven temp of 275°F before finishing off the steak in a cast-iron skillet. 

Do you Bake or Broil Steak in the Oven?

Baking and broiling are both delicious methods of preparing steak in the oven. With baking, you’re using indirect, convection heat to cook the meat, while broiling uses direct, infrared heat. 

Broiling is typically done at higher temperatures, which means the steak will cook faster. The oven’s broiler is at the top and you’ll need to place the rack a few inches below it. Try both methods to discover your favorite. You can even opt to bake first, then broil for the last couple of minutes to get a nice char on the exterior of the steak. 

Can I Cook A Steak In The Oven Without Searing It?

The reverse sear method is completely optional. If you’d prefer to cook a steak in the oven without searing it, just bake at the usual temp of 450°F. Instead of searing on a skillet, you can opt to finish off the steak using your oven’s broiler. 

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