How To Cook Steak In The Oven Without a Cast Iron Skillet?

What Is the Best Way to Cook Steak in the Oven Without Using a Cast Iron Skillet?

Are you wondering how to cook a steak in your oven without a cast-iron skillet? Although cast iron skillets are generally preferred, they are not the only options for cooking your steak. Steak is a high-quality cut of beef that is a perfect choice for every meat lover. 

We’ll guide you through several alternatives to cooking steak in the oven without a cast iron skillet: how to choose the steak, our favourite cooking recipe, how long it takes, and how to monitor the steak’s internal temperature while cooking.

How To Cook Steak In The Oven Without A Cast Iron Skillet 

Steak is a tough cut of meat, and cooking them is best. Cookin a steak with a cast iron skillet is a popular method, but there are several other options to cook steak in the oven without it. Here are three main ways to cook steak in the oven without a cast iron skillet:

1. Bake on a baking sheet in the oven

A baking sheet is one of the most common methods to cook a steak in the oven without a cast iron skillet. This method requires no special equipment and is simple and easy to use.

However, unlike other cooking methods, baking the steak on a baking sheet doesn’t allow many flavours. Here is the procedure to bake a steak on a baking sheet in the oven: 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. 
  • Arrange the steak on the baking sheet and put it in the oven.
  • Bake for about 8–12 minutes or until the desired level of doneness is reached.
  • Then bring it out and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juice to distribute properly through the steak.

2. Cook the steak in an oven-safe skillet or pan

The most versatile substitution for a cast iron skillet is to cook the steak in the oven using an oven-safe skillet or pan. This method is more beneficial than every other method as it allows for various ways of cooking the steak and produces more flavour;

It occupies more space in the oven and requires special equipment (an oven-safe pan or skillet). Here is the process:

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
  • Place the steak properly (such that the heat can pass through) on the skillet or pan.
  • Set the cooking time for 8–10 minutes. You can also check to see if it reaches the preferred level of doneness.
  • Remove from the oven and set to rest for about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Allow cooling for about 5 minutes to distribute the juice evenly and enhance the flavour.

3. Place an oven-safe wire rack inside a baking sheet

Using a wire rack allows airflow through the steak for an even cooking process, prevents the steak from sticking to the baking sheet’s surface, and produces more flavour than an ordinary baking sheet.

However, it occupies more space than the baking sheet and requires special equipment, such as a wire rack (do not use just any metal rack; it is best to get an oven-safe wire rack). To bake using a wire rack instead of a baking sheet only, follow the process below:

  • Line your baking sheet with a wire rack. 
  • Preheat your oven to  400°F.
  • Arrange the steak on the wire rack and allow it to bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until it reaches the desired doneness.
  • Then, remove the cooked steak from the wire rack and rest for about 5 minutes. This helps to ensure an even and perfect distribution of juices.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Steak In The Oven?

The steak’s size and the oven’s temperature determine the time involved in cooking the steak. Using a new oven gives an accurate time, but old ones tend to vary (or are unreliable).

It is best to note that the below times are estimates and approximations based on our cooking process.

1. At 450 Degrees For Rare Steak 

  • 1 1/2 inches: sear for about 2 minutes before cooking. Set the oven to 450°F and cook for 12–16 minutes. The internal temperature should be 125 degrees.
  • One inch: sear for 2 minutes and cook for 5-8 minutes at 450 degrees with an internal temperature of 125°F.

 2. At 450°F For Medium Rare Steak

  • 1 1/2 inches: sear for 2 minutes at medium-high temperature before baking. Set the oven to 450°F and bake for 15-20 minutes. The internal temperature of the steak should be 135 degrees.
  • 1 inch: sear for 2 minutes at medium heat. Then bake for 5-10 minutes with an internal temperature of 135°F.

3. For Medium Steak at 450 degrees

  • 1 1/2 inches: sear for 2 minutes before cooking. Set the oven to 450°F and cook for 16-20 minutes. The internal temperature of the steak should be 135 degrees.
  • 1 inch: sear for 2 minutes and cook for 10–11 minutes at 450 degrees with an internal temperature of 135°F.

4. For Medium-Well Steak at 450oF

  • For a thick steak measuring 1 1/2 inches, Sear for about 2 or 3 minutes. Set the oven to 450°F and cook for 18–20 minutes. The internal temperature should be 150 degrees for a well-cooked steak.
  • For a 1-inch thin steak: sear for 2 minutes, set the oven to 400 degrees, and cook the steak for about 8–12 minutes.

5. For Well-Done Steak at 450 degrees

  • Sear the steak for 3 minutes for 1 1/2 inches thick steaks. Prepare the oven to 450oF and bake for 20-25 minutes with an internal temperature of 160°F or 165°F for a  properly cooked steak.
  • Sear thin 1-inch steaks for about 3 minutes at 400 degrees, then bake for 15-20 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 160 degrees.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the recommended time for cooking steak is 3 minutes at 145 degrees. The steaks have colours, but these colours are not enough to prove the doneness of your steak; it is best to use a meat thermometer to monitor the temperature. The rare steak is cool red; the medium rare is warm red; the medium well is slightly pink, and the well done is a little or no pick colour.

How To Monitor The Steak’s Internal Temperature

There are two simple ways to measure the steak’s internal temperature while cooking.

1. Make Use Of A Meat Thermometer

A meat thermometer (sometimes referred to as a kitchen thermometer or a cooking thermometer) is a measuring device that allows you to measure the internal temperature of your meat, check the doneness, and monitor the cooking or baking process.

It is simple to use and reliable, as it gives accurate measurements. There are three ways to use a meat thermometer:

  1. Set the oven to your preferred temperature and stick the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, allowing it to keep reading while you cook.
  1. Stick your meat thermometer into the meat every 5 minutes into the cooking time.
  1. However, avoid inserting the thermometer into it frequently to keep the meat juicier. Check the temperature at halftime to avoid leaking the juices.

2. The Finger Test Process

The finger-testing process involves using your hand. Most restaurants use this, which is considered to give an accurate result like a meat thermometer. Press on the fleshy part of the steak with your thumb and forefinger.

If it is soft and a bit bouncy, remove it from the oven; otherwise, allow it to cook for another few minutes and repeat the test. 

A 50-Minute Process For Cooking A Steak In The Oven Without A Cast Iron Skillet

Here are the best recipe and cooking instructions for you, with a preparation time of 30 minutes and a total cooking time of 50 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds (1 inch or 1 1/2 inches thick) of any preferred steak
  • 1 tablespoon of Dynamic Clear Kosher Salt
  • 2 tablespoons of oil (any neutral oil)
  • 2 tablespoons of black pepper

Cooking Process

  • Remove the steak from the fridge and bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes or 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • After that, pat the steak dry with a paper towel.
  • Place the oven-safe skillet or pan over high heat. Ensure that the skillet or pan is extremely hot, then place the steak on the hot pan and flip it on both sides to sear it for about 2 or 3 minutes. With the tongs, press the steak very hard onto the hot surface.
  • After that, place the seared steak in the oven and adjust the cooking time (depending on the steak size).
  • At halfway through the cooking, measure the internal temperature and continue cooking until it is 5 degrees lower than the preferred cooking heat setting.
  • Remove the steak from the oven and rest for about 3–5 minutes for the juices to redistribute evenly.

What Is the Best Way to Cook Steak in the Oven Without Using a Cast Iron Skillet?

The best method is to use an oven-safe pan or skillet to substitute for a cast iron skillet. This method adds flavour to the cooked steak, making it juicier and tastier.

Cooking Steak In The Oven Without a Cast Iron Skillet Recipe

Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 or 2 steak cuts (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic powder or minced garlic
  • Olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Optional: Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano

Instructions
 

Bake on a baking sheet in the oven

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. 
  • Arrange the steak on the baking sheet and put it in the oven.
  • Bake for about 8–12 minutes or until the desired level of doneness is reached.
  • Then bring it out and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juice to distribute properly through the steak.

Cook the steak in an oven-safe skillet or pan

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
  • Place the steak properly (such that the heat can pass through) on the skillet or pan.
  • Set the cooking time for 8–10 minutes. You can also check to see if it reaches the preferred level of doneness.
  • Remove from the oven and set to rest for about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Allow cooling for about 5 minutes so the juice can be distributed evenly and enhance the flavor.

Place an oven-safe wire rack inside a baking sheet

  • Line your baking sheet with a wire rack. 
  • Preheat your oven to  400°F.
  • Arrange the steak on the wire rack and allow it to bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until it reaches the desired doneness.
  • Then, remove the cooked steak from the wire rack and rest for about 5 minutes. This helps to ensure an even and perfect distribution of juices.

Video


Conclusion

Steak is of several types: the ribeye steak, the filet mignon, the New York strip, the t-bone steak, and the porterhouse steak. Whichever one you choose, the above recipe and cooking process work for all. 

When choosing your preferred steak, there are three factors to consider: first, choose a steak with an oven-safe cut; second, choose one with trimmed fat; and finally, choose one with the appropriate size and thickness (1 1/2 inch is a good choice).

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