How to Cook Steak in a Pan

Steak is just one of those dishes that always seems slightly out of reach, like something you'd order in a restaurant rather than cook at home. But the truth is, cooking steak in a pan is really not that difficult – and it's definitely worth the effort to learn.

sliced sirloin steak served on a plate with mashed potatoes and garnished with fresh herbs.

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Once you've mastered how to cook steak in a pan, you can branch out and try all sorts of different steak recipes - like my leftover steak tacos!

Table of Contents

What Are the Levels of Cooked Steak?

If you love steak, then you likely already have a preferred level of doneness. But if you're new to cooking steak or just want to branch out and try something different, then it's helpful to know the different levels of cooked steak:

Rare: Slightly cool, red center
Medium rare: Warm, pink center
Medium: Pink throughout
Medium well: Slightly pink with browned edges
Well done: No pink at all; cook until juices run clear

Using a food thermometer, you can quickly check which levels of cooked steak your dish is at. The internal steak cooking temp is a surefire way to know if you have reached the desired level of doneness!

All you need to do is insert your thermometer into your steak and reference the steak cooking temp with this chart:

Rare: 125°F
Medium rare: 135°F
Medium: 145°F
Medium well: 155°F
Well done: 165°F

Now that we have covered the different levels of steak and what the internal steak cooking temp means, let's look at the best pan to cook steak.

What Is the Best Pan to Cook Steak?

Before we can jump into the process of cooking steak in a pan, we need to make sure we are using the correct equipment. Of course, you can use any type of pan you have on hand if you want. But if you want to truly cook the perfect steak, you'll want to cook steak in cast iron skillet.

Not only is a cast iron skillet the best pan to cook steak, but it is a great all-purpose kitchen tool you can use for various dishes. We want to cook steak in a cast iron skillet for a few reasons:

Holds and retains heat: We want our pan to be nice and hot when we put our steak in, so it can quickly sear the outside of the meat and lock in all those delicious juices. Cast iron is heavy, meaning it holds heat exceptionally well.
Gives a nice sear: We want a nice crisp sear on our steak, and cast iron is the perfect material to help us achieve that.
Heat is evenly distributed: This is key to cooking a perfectly even steak. If the heat is too high in one spot and lower in another, our steak will be unevenly cooked. We don't need to worry about this when we cook steak in cast iron skillet, as the heat is evenly distributed across the pan.

How Long to Leave Steak Out Before Cooking

It is extremely common for people to leave their steak out before cooking, as many believe it results in a better-cooked steak. This theory makes sense when you think about it, as adding a room-temperature steak to a hot pan will likely result in an evenly cooked steak.

But, we have to note that food safety rulings say steak should technically not be left out. In fact, according to the FDA, no meat should be left out for more than two hours or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.

Now, it is entirely up to you if you want to leave your steak out for a bit before cooking. If you're curious about how long to leave steak out before cooking, 20 minutes is usually more than enough time.

Although from experience, there is not a noticeable difference in the end results - so it is really down to you and your preferences on this one!

raw sirloin steak, fresh herbs, salt, pepper, melted butter in a bowl, cubed butter and garlic cloves on a black circle chopping board.

How to Cook Steak on Cast Iron Skillet

Now while most of us love a nice meal out at a restaurant, there's something to be said for cooking a delicious steak at home in your own kitchen. It's definitely a lot cheaper, and when you start cooking steaks on stove, it can be just as good – if not better! – than what you'd get at a restaurant.

Ingredients for Cooking Steak in a Pan

Steaks
Salt
Pepper
Butter
Garlic
Thyme
Rosemary

For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.

How to Cook Steak on Stove

Rub steaks with salt and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add butter, garlic, thyme, and sage.
Add steaks and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, depending on the desired doneness. Medium-rare is ideal and will register 135ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
Let rest on a plate covered with foil for 10-15 minutes.

Top tip: Cooking steaks on stove is super simple, but be sure to watch as it can splatter a little and get a bit smokey. We will also want to ensure the sear and internal temp are balanced. So, when learning how to cook steak on stove, you'll need to really monitor the internal steak cooking temp!

sirloin steak cooking in a pan with melted butter, rosemary and garlic.

How Long Does Cook Steak Last in the Fridge?

I love meal prepping! It is such an easy way to ensure you have a delicious and healthy meal on hand, even on your busiest days. But one common question I always see when it comes to meal prepping is: how long will it last?

In this case, how long does cook steak last in the fridge? When stored correctly in an air-tight container or when wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, your cooked steak will last 3-4 days in the fridge.

Can You Cook a Steak From Frozen?

For optimal results, it's always advised to thaw your meat before cooking it. However, we all know that sometimes life gets in the way, and we don't always have time to plan ahead like we would like to. So, can you cook a steak from frozen?

The answer is yes! You absolutely can cook steak from frozen. To do this, you will need to first pop your frozen steak in a cool water bath for 10-20 minutes (depending on your time).

Once your steak has had a chance to thaw out a bit in the water, you can then cook steak in cast iron skillet as outlined above. Just be sure to add on 2 extra minutes for each steak cooking temp, depending on what levels of steak doneness you want.

How Long Should You Cook Steak in a Pan?

Depending on what cut you get and how thick it is will alter the cooking time. For most cuts, you'll want to cook 4-6 minutes per side, depending on what level of steak you want.

If you're wondering how to cook thin steak, we only want to cook it in a pan (not the oven!) and reduce the cooking time. For medium rare, you'll want to cook your thin steak for about 3 minutes on each side.

What Are the Different Types of Steak?

Walking down the meat aisle at your grocery store, you've probably noticed some different variations of steak. Luckily you can use many types of steak cooked with this pan method! Each cut does offer something a little different, so knowing which of your preferred types of steak cooked in a pan is important.

Here's a quick guide to some of the most popular types of steak:

Rib eye: This steak is well marbled with fat, making it extra juicy. You can get rib eye steak with the rib bone still attached or boneless.
Tenderloin: Also known as the fillet mignon, this loin cut is one of the most tender options.
NY strip steak: One of the more popular types of short loin steak and is pretty easy to find at your local grocery store.
Porterhouse: This type of T-bone steak gets its name from the t-shaped bone that runs through it. It has a large amount of both tenderloin and strip steak, making it a great option if you can't decide which one to get!
Skirt steak: Cut from the plate; it is full of flavor but can be pretty tough if not prepared correctly. Skirt steak is best served rare/ medium rare with a marinade.
Flat iron steak: Or top blade steak, this is a very lean and tender piece of meat. It is cut from the shoulder (aka the chuck) and has a ton of flavor.
Flank steak: Super versatile, this steak is cut from the abdominal muscles of the cow. Flank steak is best served rare or medium rare with a marinade.
Sirloin steak: One of the best types of steak cooked in a pan; this is a relatively lean cut of meat that is also very affordable.
Tomahawk: This is a super tender, bone-in rib eye steak that is usually at least two inches thick. The long bone gives it a tomahawk shape, hence the name!
Tri-tip: This steak is very juicy and flavorful, a triangular-shaped cut of meat from the bottom sirloin.
Round steak: Cut from the hindquarters, round steak is a fairly tough and lean piece of meat. It is best cooked with a marinade until rare or medium rare.

raw filet mignon wrapped in bacon in a skillet with fresh rosemary.

herb butter on a grilled steak with more down belwo

Different Methods for Cooking Steak

Now that you know how to cook steak in cast iron skillet, you might wonder what else you can do with your steak. While cooking steak in a pan is one of my favorite methods, there are other ways to cook it as well!

How to Cook Steak on Grill

Grilling is probably one of the most popular methods for cooking steaks. Be sure to check out my complete guide on how to grill steak and also my recipe for grilled T-bone steak - simply delicious and a great alternative to cooking steak in a pan!

How to Cook Steak in Oven

When cooking steaks in oven, you can either choose first to sear the steak in a pan and then finish cooking it in the oven or reverse sear. A reverse sear is when we cook the steak in the oven and finish it off in a cast iron skillet. The reverse sear method is perfect for thicker cuts of meat as it allows you to better control the steak's internal temperature.

Whether you first sear or reverse sear, cooking steaks in the oven is a great hands-off method for cooking steaks!

For an average-sized steak, around 1 ½ inch thick, cook it in the oven at 400°F for 4-6 minutes and then finish off on the stovetop on high for about 2 minutes. For this method, the ingredients and steps stay the same, but with the addition of using the oven.