How Long to Grill Steak

Grilling the perfect steak is quite a pain with the hard pieces of meat becoming dry, tough or leathery if they are overcooked. However, learning the secrets of "doneness" when grilling steaks helps you get that juicy and tender filet mignon in no time. One of the key aspects of this is knowing how long to grill steak. Somehow, I have found that mastering grilling and getting the perfect steak is like an art form itself. However, before you can learn the grilling time for the steak, it is important to keep in mind that the total cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the meat, the type of grill, fuel, weather conditions and a whole lot of other factors. The most important factor though is to take into consideration the different types of "doneness". This includes rare, medium and well cooked grilled steak. Here is a look at the time needed for grilling steak.

Know How Long You Need to Grill Steak
Before grilling the steak, allow it come to room temperature and trim the excess fat off the steak. This helps in reducing the cooking time significantly. Now season it with olive oil, pepper and salt or any other seasoning based on your choice. Oil the grate and place each steak on the grill for one minute before turning. You need to grill the steak based on whether you want it rare or soft, medium or firm and yielding or well done and firm. Here is the approximate cooking time of the steak based on the thickness.

Steak Thickness	1"(High Heat)	1 1/2"(High Heat)	2"(Medium Heat)
Rare	8-10 Min	10-14 Min	12-16 Min
Medium	10-14 Min	16-20 Min	18-22 Min
Well	12-16 Min	18-22 Min	24-28 Min

Once the meat is cooked, you can use the meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to regulate whether you want the grilled steak rare, medium rare or well cooked. If you want to cook it rare, then the internal temperature should measure 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit while, medium rare steak should be grilled till the internal temperature reads 155 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Well done grilled steak's internal temperature reads around 165 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that once you have taken it off heat, you need to let the steak rest for five minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to flow, letting the steak be nice and juicy.

How Long to Grill Steak Kabobs
Whether you call it kabobs, satays or skewers of meat and vegetables, this wonderful steak recipe is the ideal for picnics and outdoor festivities. Moreover they are easy to cook and does not take a lot of time. For making these delicious kabobs you need to cut 1 1/2 pound boneless beef sirloin steak and veggies into 1-inch inch cubes preferably of the same size. Marinade it with spicy sauces and other favorite marinade mixes. Skewer the meat cubes with the vegetables making sure that you group vegetables on the same skewer with similar cooking time. The approximate time for grilling 1 1/2" cubes of steak kabobs is around 15 to 20 minutes at about 4" above medium hot coals.

How Long to Grill Flank Steak
Cut from the abdominal muscles of the cow, flank steaks or skirt steaks are long and flat cuts of meat used in dishes like fajitas and the London broil. Before grilling the steak, you need to marinate it oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic and ground black pepper so that the steak is covered thoroughly. Preheat the grill to medium heat and pour some oil. Place the flank steak pieces on the grill. For a medium rare grilled steak, cook for three to four minutes of each side on high heat.

Knowing how long to grill steak may not make you an expert griller overnight but with practice and loads of patience you will learn how to make this dish which is sure to be a definite crowd pleaser.