Searing a steak is one of the best ways to transform a kitchen staple into something special. Searing is a technique used to seal in juices and flavor, and it’s one of the best ways to make sure your steak is cooked through and tender.
If you’re looking to develop the perfect sizzle on your next steak, then you’re going to need the best grill used for searing—a pellet grill!
Why a Pellet Grill?
You may ask whether or not pellet grills are great for searing. The answer is a resounding yes. Searing meat on a pellet grill makes it easier to achieve an even sear on all sides of the meat—something that can be tricky with other types of grills. That’s because pellet grills have an even heat distribution throughout the grill.
Therefore, they’re more efficient than other types of grills as they let you control the temperature. When you use them to sear your food, the heat will stay at a steady temperature throughout the whole cooking process—which means you can sear at the perfect temperature without overcooking it and less time spent cooking!
What Other Tools Do You Need to Sear a Steak?
Before we go too deep into the how-to, let’s go over some of the basic tools you’ll need to cook a tender, luscious and flavorful steak on your pellet grill.
Instant-Read thermometer
You’ll need to get an instant-read thermometer that is both quick and accurate. It instantly measures the internal temperature of the meat in about 10 seconds. It allows you to monitor the temperature and make sure that it stays within range so that your steak doesn’t burn or overcook.
Keep in mind that instant-read thermometers should only be used to check if the meat is cooked to the desired doneness; they should not be left sticking in the meat as it cooks. Simply insert the stem of the thermometer into the thickest section of the meat, about two inches deep.
Grill Grate
A grill grate is something else you may want to add to your pellet grill. They are one of the most important accessories you can add to your pellet grill when searing steaks. They’ll ensure that your steaks get charred and crispy without having to worry about overcooking.
The grate protects your food from getting burned by the direct flame of the pellet grill’s burners. With a grill grate, you can evenly cook your steak because it allows airflow underneath it, which prevents flare-ups and keeps your food at an even temperature throughout its cooking process.
Grill grates help keep the heat while also making sure that your meat gets as much direct contact with the hot surface as possible. If you don’t have a grill grate, then your meat will likely end up overcooked and dry out before it has a chance to properly caramelize.
How to Sear Steaks on a Pellet Grill?
Searing a steak is a beautiful thing if you love to cook. It’s a great way to add flavor and moisture to your meat, and it’s easy to do on most pellet grills.
Searing on your pellet grill is one of the best ways to make sure that you get a perfectly cooked steak every time. Here are the steps in getting that perfect sear:
- The first step in searing your steak is preheating your grill. This will help ensure that you get even heat throughout the cooking process, which will result in a more evenly cooked steak. You’ll want to heat it up to 500°F.
- Make sure that the steak is at room temperature before cooking it. This can affect how well it cooks and how tasty it turns out. Also, don’t forget to season your meat as desired.
- Once you’ve got your grill hot, place the steak over direct heat. You would want to hear the steak sizzle as it touches the heat of the pellet grill. Sear it for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or you can continue searing until they reach the internal temperature you want. This is where your instant-read temperature gets handy.
- Move your steak away from direct heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
The Takeaway
If you’re looking to cook the perfect steak, you need to start with the right tool. Pellet grills are great for searing because they’re designed with high heat, which means they’ll cook your steak in just a few minutes.
You don’t need to worry about using a lot of oil or other ingredients that can make your steak tough and chewy—just make sure your meat is seasoned before putting it on the grill!
There are a lot of things that can affect whether or not you get the best sear on your steak, so with the right tools, don’t be afraid to experiment with details such as how hot the grill is and how long the searing process takes.
