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posted
Brain trust,

For my birthday yesterday, I bought two thick (1.5, inch or so, 20oz) New York strips from Costco, USDA Prime grade. I’ve always heard great things about reverse searing so I’m going to give it a try when I cook them tonight.

I was going to use this guide for it since it’s my first time (https://www.jessicagavin.com/how-to-reverse-sear-a-steak/) and have a couple of questions for some of my more experienced chefs in here.

1) when I grill or skillet-cook ribeyes, I’ve been seasoning them (salt and pepper) when I set them out. I was told the salt works to break down the outer protein layers during the time the steak is tempering and can lead to a better crust. This guide says to season them right before putting them in the oven. Thoughts?

2) this guide makes no mention of letting the steaks sit out before cooking. I’ve let some thicker steaks sit out for hours before to ensure they are thoroughly coming tempered before cooking. Should I still do that with these steaks, or is that not a thing with reverse searing?

Any other tips would be appreciated. I usually do pretty well with the ribeyes I make but I have a bad history of overcooking NY Strips, though I’ve never cooked any this thick before. Sorry for the dumb questions.


******************************

May our caskets be made of hundred-year oak, and may we plant those trees tomorrow.
 
Posts: 811 | Location: Eastern Iowa | Registered: January 03, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
186,000 miles per second.
It's the law.




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For any thick steak or roast, a good fast-read thermometer is your best friend. You will never overcook again. Check out Thermapen. Buy direct. There are fakes on the internet.

https://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4
 
Posts: 3251 | Registered: August 19, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Still finding my way
Picture of Ryanp225
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Ive heard that it doesn't make any difference if you cook them at fridge Temps vs room temp. As for seasoning when you salt them it draws moisture out of the meat and dissolves the salt. The juices then get drawn back into the steaks so the insides are actually being seasoned as well. I've read that the best method for this is to salt them and leave them uncovered on a rack in the fridge for 8-12 hours prior to cooking.
Now I'm getting hungry for some steak. Wink
 
Posts: 10849 | Registered: January 04, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I use a Thermoworks Dot for reverse sear, this way you have a constant temp without opening the grill/oven.

I season them when pulled from the frig to warm up.
They seem to cook better after letting them sit to warm up.




 
Posts: 10052 | Registered: October 15, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of konata88
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I don’t reverse sear but have tried sous vide and then seared.

I would do as you’ve always done and I always do. I would season hours ahead of time on the counter. Paper towels top and bottom to wick away moisture.

Reverse sear may not require as perhaps it’s effectively doing the same thing albeit at a higher temp.

But I like to ensure seasoning penetrates deeply and the surface is dry to better ensure a maillard crust.




"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
 
Posts: 12713 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by FishOn:
For any thick steak or roast, a good fast-read thermometer is your best friend. You will never overcook again. Check out Thermapen. Buy direct. There are fakes on the internet.

https://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4


I use a probe thermometer that I can leave in the meat while it cooks if need be. I’ve had good luck with it but have seen people using the Thermapen and have considered it.


******************************

May our caskets be made of hundred-year oak, and may we plant those trees tomorrow.
 
Posts: 811 | Location: Eastern Iowa | Registered: January 03, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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^^^^ Thermopen works great.

But every time you poke the steak, you let the juices out. Probe (dot) is the way to go.




 
Posts: 10052 | Registered: October 15, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Still finding my way
Picture of Ryanp225
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If you guys have Hulu there's a new Good Eats show out with Alton Brown. The very first episode is all about reverse searing a steak and what he's learned about it in the last 20 years or so. The steak he cooks looks amazing and there were a few tips I've never heard of before.
Worth watching.
 
Posts: 10849 | Registered: January 04, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
We gonna get some
oojima in this house!
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I have tried reverse sear, sous vide, grilling etc. I like dry patting the steak and putting kosher salt on it for 8 hours in the fridge on some paper towels. Pat dry again and put in a hot cast iron skillet with butter oil for 2 minutes a side. If it’s really thick I sear the sides for about a minute. You can finish in the oven depending or how well you want it cooked. I like rare so mine doesn’t go in the oven.

Finish with a pat of butter on them.


-----------------------------------------------------------
TCB all the time...
 
Posts: 6501 | Location: Cantonment/Perdido Key, Florida | Registered: September 28, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
quarter MOA visionary
Picture of smschulz
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quote:
Originally posted by Revolution37:
Brain trust,

For my birthday yesterday, I bought two thick (1.5, inch or so, 20oz) New York strips from Costco, USDA Prime grade. I’ve always heard great things about reverse searing so I’m going to give it a try when I cook them tonight.

I was going to use this guide for it since it’s my first time (https://www.jessicagavin.com/how-to-reverse-sear-a-steak/) and have a couple of questions for some of my more experienced chefs in here.

1) when I grill or skillet-cook ribeyes, I’ve been seasoning them (salt and pepper) when I set them out. I was told the salt works to break down the outer protein layers during the time the steak is tempering and can lead to a better crust. This guide says to season them right before putting them in the oven. Thoughts? SALT them first, let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour then pull out and put on Pepper and any other seasoning you may desire. The salt needs time to penetrate, any other seasoning will not penetrate ~ only salt will.
2) this guide makes no mention of letting the steaks sit out before cooking. I’ve let some thicker steaks sit out for hours before to ensure they are thoroughly coming tempered before cooking. Should I still do that with these steaks, or is that not a thing with reverse searing? After you do #1 above let them set out for an hour or two if you can, bring up to room temp will help speed up the cook.
Any other tips would be appreciated. I usually do pretty well with the ribeyes I make but I have a bad history of overcooking NY Strips, though I’ve never cooked any this thick before. Sorry for the dumb questions. THEN simply indirect cook (or oven) until it hits 115 degrees then pull off and sear, rest for a few minutes then ENJOY!.


Don't forget to use a Thermapen.
 
Posts: 22898 | Location: Houston, TX | Registered: June 11, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ammoholic
Picture of Skins2881
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1). Seasoning steaks should be done either immediately before cooking or left for a while to draw water out and reabsorb into the meat. Think brining.

2). Leaving steaks out to come to room temp. It helps steaks cook evenly, but no need to do with this method, if you do, use common sense and don't leave on the counter for 5hours to exactly match room temp, follow safe food handling rules and it's going to help, even if it's only 45-50°F vs fridge or room temp.

3) Tips. Final sear temp will determine temp to pull from oven. I sear on 650°F grill and allow some flare up. If I pulled from oven at @ 95° I'd end up with an extremely rare steak. I pull at around 115ish.

You really don't need to rest but enough time to assemble the sides on your plate. This is due to slow cooking in oven, I also may have it sitting on counter for a bit before grilling (pan searing) it, so that's my rest and temp is more equalized.

ETA That smschulz fellow seems pretty smart. Disregard everything I wrote and follow what he said instead. Wink



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
 
Posts: 20815 | Location: Loudoun County, Virginia | Registered: December 27, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by Revolution37:
1) when I grill or skillet-cook ribeyes, I’ve been seasoning them (salt and pepper) when I set them out. I was told the salt works to break down the outer protein layers during the time the steak is tempering and can lead to a better crust. This guide says to season them right before putting them in the oven. Thoughts?
Important to salt meat well, not only does it draw surface moisture out but, also promotes a crusting that helps promote flavor and helps retain moisture inside.

2) this guide makes no mention of letting the steaks sit out before cooking. I’ve let some thicker steaks sit out for hours before to ensure they are thoroughly coming tempered before cooking. Should I still do that with these steaks, or is that not a thing with reverse searing?
I pull my steaks out an hour before cooking, letting them sit on the cutting board, and not the plate or, package it was in the fridge.

Any other tips would be appreciated. I usually do pretty well with the ribeyes I make but I have a bad history of overcooking NY Strips, though I’ve never cooked any this thick before. Sorry for the dumb questions.
Pull your steak out 10-degrees before the target temp, use probe thermometer. Butter baste your steak during searing, use lots of butter, thyme and a crushed garlic. Let it sit about 10-minutes afterwards to allow the muscle tissue to relax and settle


Below videos and channels are rock-solid for this technique and other recipes.




More old-school method, he properly seasons the steak, basting method is on-point.
 
Posts: 14634 | Location: Wine Country | Registered: September 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Too soon old,
too late smart
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I use jallen’s simple method.
Let the steak warm up to room temperature while seasoned only with salt. Then bake it in the oven at 275 F until the probe thermometer inserted in the center of it alarms at 125 F internal temperature. Then sear the heck out of that steak in a screaming hot cast iron skillet.
 
Posts: 4757 | Location: Southern Texas | Registered: May 17, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I did a 26oz. bone in ribeye on the 14th of March.
Steak sat out for about 2 hours on the counter which is fine because muscle meat is not prone to ecoli.
Season with whatever you want. S&P, steak seasoning, a homemade rub, etc. I let it sit at least 30 minutes with whatever I put on.
Preheat oven or grill to 275° and an oven thermometer is valuable. Steak goes on a cookie sheet with a raised rack in it. I use a Maverick digital probe thermometer and it's been perfect.
Depending on how you want your steak cooked is what you'll be shooting for in regards to internal temperature. I cook to 120° and then pull it out. It rests for 15 minutes and then I'll sear it in a hot cast iron skillet or the grill. Choice is yours and both are great. 1 - 1 1/2 minutes per side usually is good. Again, more time if you want a more medium to well done steak.


I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not.
 
Posts: 3652 | Location: The armpit of Ohio | Registered: August 18, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
No, not like
Bill Clinton
Picture of BigSwede
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Has anybody used a pellet smoker for the first slow cook? It is what I plan on doing for my first ever reverse sear



 
Posts: 5317 | Location: GA | Registered: September 23, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of SPWAMike0317
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I take the steak out of the fridge and season it and let is sit out on plate about an hour before cooking.
I use a Thermapen Smoke so the probe can go in the oven. (But once, cry once, Thermapen is the best I have used).
I set the oven to 250, put the steak in and pull it when it hits 120 on the probe.
I have a Weber with a sear burner, I crank that puppy up on all burners at least 10 minutes before I need it.
Sear the steak on each side for 3-4 minutes.
I leave it rest long enough to put the other food on the plate then to the table.
Results in rare - medium rare. The "doneness" is regulated by the temp that you pull it from the oven. Lower temp, more rare.
One caveat - it can take a while to come up to temp in the oven. Though it is dependent on the steak I figure about 45 seconds to 1 minute for every degree. Starting temp is usually about 60 so it's near an 45 min to an hour in the oven. Worth the effort.
I like it, my wife likes it. nuf said



Let me help you out. Which way did you come in?
 
Posts: 717 | Location: North of Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: January 29, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Drill Here, Drill Now
Picture of tatortodd
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The bringing up to room temperature myth has been busted on Amazingribs.com. I've posted it numerous times and will not be looking it up yet again today. On top of it being a busted myth, if someone takes it literally (i.e. sticks a temp probe in a large cut of meat and lets it sit out until it reaches room temp) it's frankly unsafe.

If you're reverse searing on a charcoal grill, you'll actually get less smoke on it by letting it sit out first. If you like less smoke, set out while you're warming up your charcoal grill/smoker (i.e. 30 minutes or less). If you like the smoke (like me), minimize the time from the fridge to the grill.

My preferred way is to:
  • Use 1/2 tsp of salt per pound of boneless meat and 1/4 tsp per pound of bone-in meat.
  • Use 1/4 tsp of black pepper per pound of boneless meat and 1/8 tsp per pound of bone-in meat.
  • Let sit in the fridge an hour or two.
  • Heat up the BGE to 225
  • Pull the steak from the fridge
  • Brush steak with high smoke point oil (I use 500F smoke point avocado oil)
  • Stick my ThermoWorks Smoke probe in it
  • Put on BGE
  • Put oven safe skillet in my oven and preheat to 400F
  • Pull steak from BGE when internal temp is 115 to 120 F.
  • Pull preheated skillet from oven and put on range over a medium-high flame
  • Remove my ThermoWorks Smoke probe
  • Put steak in skillet and turn every 30 to 60 seconds
  • Monitor steak temperature with my ThermoWorks ThermaPen
  • Stop cooking when internal temp reaches 131F
  • Eat and enjoy

    PS Don't fall for the busted myth of letting the juices redistribute by wrapping in foil and letting sit a few minutes.



    Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

    DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
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    Posts: 23220 | Location: Northern Suburbs of Houston | Registered: November 14, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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    Picture of K0ZZZ
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    As many things as I could always do right all the time, for some reasons cooking steaks I never could. Either raw in the middle or overcooked. Just could never consistently nail what I wanted.

    I recently got a sous vide and tried it with a steak. Damned if it wasn't the best I've ever done. Cooked perfectly throughout and then a minute on a side in butter in cast iron for that sear.

    One thing I did learn! Let's say you're doing marinade, add that in the vacuseal bag first, then put it in the freezer till pretty well frozen. Take the bag out, add the steak and other stuff, then vacuseal. The marinade will melt quickly enough, but you don't get liquids all up in the vacuum sealer.


    ... Chad



    http://shotworkspro.com - Much better than scrap paper! Use 'Take5' to get 5 bucks off.
     
    Posts: 770 | Location: Colorado Springs, CO | Registered: December 14, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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    Dry brine your steak...always

    Coat with coarse salt, put on a rack and let sit in the overnight at least overnight.
     
    Posts: 3468 | Registered: January 27, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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    Tried the reverse sear for the first time last weekend. Dried then salted the rib eye. Put on rack in oven and heated to 115. Seared about 60 seconds on each side. Good results. Pretty close to ideal medium rare.
     
    Posts: 4277 | Location: Peoples Republic of Berkeley | Registered: June 12, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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