Cooking steaks on a griddle can be intimidating, but it’s simpler than you could imagine. And there are good reasons why a griddle is well suited for cooking steaks. For one, a griddle does an awesome job of evenly distributing heat; thus, ensuring that your steak gets an even cook without the presence of hot and cold spots.
This is particularly true for the Blackstone 1650 Tabletop Grill. It not only boasts a spacious cooking surface but also offers fast and even heat distribution thanks to its H-shape design, as well as 12,000 BTU output.
Also, the griddle design blocks flames from directly reaching your food, thus limiting flare-ups that might complicate your cook. But to get the best results, you must match the right griddle to the right steak. For instance, cast iron griddles hold heat better whereas steel griddles heat up pretty fast. So, let’s dive into a guide for how to cook steak on griddle, as well as provide a few griddle grill recipes.
In the section, you’ll learn about everything that goes into cooking steaks on griddle.
Most griddles will be either cast iron or steel. For commercial use and bigger budgets, you can get them in chrome or stainless steel. Steel or stainless-steel griddles are the preferred options in restaurants and hotels because they are easier to maintain.
When it comes to construction, cast iron griddles are strong, thick, extremely durable, and heavy. In fact, one of these could be as heavy as two stainless steel griddles put together. Now, your griddle must be lightweight for easy moving around, and this is where steel gets an edge.
In terms of seasoning and maintenance, stainless steel saves time compared to a cast iron griddle that needs to be coated with a layer of oil regularly. Another important comparison between the two materials is the quality of the sear and flavor of food, and again stainless steel is the winner. Cast iron tends to alter the taste of food just a bit, according to this information on Wikipedia. But if you’re looking for a durable griddle, the following cast iron griddles will not disappoint.
The quality of the steak will determine the outcome regardless if you use a Cuisinart griddle or an outdoor griddle; therefore it is best to work with a good steak. But what makes a good steak? How can you make sure it follows USDA standards?
Marbling is crucial in keeping the meat tender and it gives the meat an interesting flavor profile. Steak with little marbling is prone to drying out which can make it tough to chew. You can tell if a steak has good or bad marbling just by looking at it.
A good steak should have a bright or slightly red color depending on the source of the meat. Steak from young cows will be brighter than those extracted from older cows. The steak should present a neutral odor rather than sweet or bitter smells
Together with looking at the marbling of the steak, look at the connective tissues. You can look or feel to determine if the steak has a high number of connective tissues. The rougher the surface, the more connective tissue, which means the cut will be less moist and present less flavor.
Suitable steaks for griddling
Steaks that do well on the griddle include rib-eye, filet mignon, sirloin steak, and New York strip steak. Boneless rib-eye is a favorite because it is flavorful, while sirloin steak is leaner and more affordable.
Filet mignon is the most tender cut, but it is not as flavorful as rib-eye or sirloin steak. The New York strip is a bit chewy, but it packs a heavy beef flavor. It is rather expensive but worth the try.
So, what temperature is ideal to cook steak on griddle?
Depending on the thickness of the steak and how you like your steak, the cooking temperature will vary but not too much. To be sure that the steak is ready, one needs a cooking thermometer inserted at the center of the steak.
The recommended temperature for ideal cooking of medium steak is 145°F according to the USDA. An excellent tip is to let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking while it is 5°F shy from the recommended temperature. This is because the steak continues to rise in temperature momentarily while resting.
Cooking temperature for different results include:
People can use simple salt and pepper to add flavor to their steak. However, you can incorporate your favorite spices, herbs, and condiments in the marinade and let it seat for at least 30 minutes. Experts recommend that you don’t marinate for more than 8hours as the acidity of the marinade will affect the texture of the meat making it mushy.
The cooking time will depend on the doneness you prefer and the thickness of the steak. The larger the steak, the more time is needed for cooking. A 3.5cm thick fillet steak needs around 4 ½ minutes to be cooked medium. You can always look up the cooking times of the steak you have online where they give information on how to cook the perfect steak.
Resting the steak after griddling is vital in redistributing the juices to make the meat moist and to finish off the cooking process. Experts recommend that the steak rests for 5minutes if it is 1-inch thick, but you will require more time for thicker steaks.
If you have a steel griddle like the Camp Chef 600, the side tables will offer an excellent place to rest the meat before slicing and presentation. It has a wide 600 sq. inch cooking space; thus, there is enough space to make many steaks and let them rest.
While many reviews indicate that the Weber 7421 is perfect for small griddling tasks, the cast iron model doesn’t have side tables to allow resting on site. You will have to move the steak to another surface to rest.
Here are a few recipes you can try whether you are looking to make a griddle ribeye steak or Electric griddle steak.
Ingredients
Method
Ingredients
Method
Here’s a quick video to check to be sure you’re getting the perfect steak cooking process using a Blackstone griddle, like Blackstone 1554:
There is no point in purchasing an expensive griddle only for it to be left unused. Buy your favorite steak and savor the rich flavor with friends or family. Remember that the quality and the type of steak you choose will affect the overall results. Try your best to look tender steak that is well-marbled to get a juicy steak.
While many people do not pay attention to seasoning, the right amount of seasoning will take the flavor of the steak to the next level. Make sure to clean your griddle after use to prevent the accumulation of grease and maintain hygiene. Cooking on a griddle indoors or outdoors is as simple as it looks, just find the right recipe and you are good to go!
