Cast Iron Skillet Steak

Make this fancy cast iron steak dinner at home for half the cost of a steakhouse dinner! This easy method makes the most tender steak with incredible flavor. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, or to celebrate a special occasion.

Cast Iron Steaks Recipe

One of our favorite at-home meals is cast iron steaks. The first time I made them, Steven was a bit skeptical. His entire life, he had only grilled steaks and swore that was the only way to do it.

There are some things I've always thought were a bit too difficult to make at home. Salmon and soufflés were at the top of that list, but once I tried making them at home. And the same thing cook steak on the stovetop. This cast iron skillet steak recipe really is the way to cook steaks at home!

After I figured out this super easy trick of the trade, Steven was a believer in stovetop steak! And so was I. Not to mention, making a good steak at home is far more affordable than going out to eat and ordering a steakhouse steak.

If you have ever wanted to try to make your own steak at home, you have to try it on a cast-iron pan. It is truly such a simple method you can customize the final temperatures just the way you like.

Now you have it, a lovely steak with a perfect sear made right in your own home. Serve them with your most favorite side dishes, like tomato salad or grilled squash, and you've got a five star dish fit for any fancy meal!

Why You'll Love this Recipe

You'll love this amazing dinner recipe!

• Making a steak dinner at home is a great way to celebrate holidays like Valentine's Day or birthdays. You can turn this easy recipe into a very romantic dinner!
• Juicy steak can not only be eaten on its own, but is a necessary component in many different recipes. Adapt and change this recipe as needed whenever you have to have some steak on hand.
• This is a great way to cook steak if you do not have a gas grill or charcoal grill, or don't know how to use one. Cooking steak in a good cast iron skillet is so easy!

Ingredients

With just a few basic ingredients and some simple steps, you can make the best cast iron steak. Here's what you'll need to have on hand:

• 1-inch filet mignons (or other high-quality cut steaks)
• salt and pepper
• unsalted butter
• grilling seasoning

Substitutions and Variations

If you only have salted butter on hand, then reduce or omit the salt that you season the steak with.

Garlic and herb butter is also a fabulous substitute for regular butter. You can also garnish a steak with fresh herbs and a pat of garlic herb butter to add some extra flavor.

Make your own grilling seasoning, steak seasoning, or grab your favorite from the grocery store. This is a personal preference, so just choose what you like best and go for it!

Best Cuts of Steak for a Cast Iron Skillet

Ideally, you need to choose a cut of steak that is 1-1½ inches thick. The thickness of the steak matters quite a lot when you are cooking in a cast-irons skillet.

It is also super important to get high quality steak. The grocery store is fine, but if you have a butcher that is even better. Buy the freshest steaks you can find for the best results.

A few cuts of steak that are good to cook on stove top are:

• filet mignon
• ribeye steak
• NY strip steak

How to Cook Steak on Cast Iron Grill Pan

Here's how to make a great steak in the cast iron skillet recipe:

The key to success with this cooking method is to preheat the cast iron pan. Place it into an oven and then preheat it to 425°F (220°C)F.

Once hot, remove the pan from the oven and place it onto the stove top over medium heat.

Pat the thick steaks dry with paper towels, and then generously season the steaks with salt, pepper and grilling seasoning.

Then add two tablespoons of butter to the hot skillet.

When the butter is melted, place the steaks into hot pan and start a time for 5 minutes. Let the steak cook undisturbed and then use tongs to flip it after the 5 minutes are up.

Allow the steaks to cook for another 5 minutes and then remove from the pan and let the steak rest on a cutting board or plate for at least 3 minutes before cutting into it.

If you are unsure if the steak is done, use an instant red thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. Try not to poke and prod it too much though, or you could lose a lot of the juice within the steak.

Cook the steak for a bit longer if you like it more done, or sear steak for a short amount of time for something more on the rare side. You can always use a meat thermometer to reach the target temperature you're looking for.

Serve immediately with your favorite sides!

What to Serve with Cast Iron Steaks

Steak is really perfect with any hearty side dish. We love to eat a perfectly cooked steak with some veggies and potatoes. These oven roasted potatoes are always perfect, and steamed broccoli is a very simple side to put together.

If you want something a bit more fancy, then whip up roasted broccolini! This lemon orzo pasta salad may not seem like something you can pair with steak, but you've definitely got to give it a try.

Classic sides like mashed potatoes or a baked potato are always great too. Or, throw together these easy oven roasted green beans as another classic side.

You could even add it to a green salad with blue cheese or feta for a delicious, healthy lunch or dinner.

Finish off your meal with a hearty helping of this delicious Texas trash bread pudding!

How to Store Leftover Steak

For best results, place leftover steak into a shallow airtight container or a freezer safe zip top plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can wrap steak tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to store in the fridge.

Freezing steak takes a few more steps, but it can be done! Wrap the delicious steak in freezer paper and place into a freezer bag, or package it in a vacuum sealer bag. Freeze for up to three months and allow to thaw completely before reheating.

Reheat steak in a hot skillet with extra tablespoons of butter, or even in the oven until it reaches a safe internal temperature.

Tips for Success

• It is very important that you preheat the skillet before cooking steak. If you want the perfect sear with that slightly crispy delicious crust, you'll need to a hot pan before you start cooking.
• Make sure you a using a good cast iron skillet of nice quality. One that has been seasoned well and has no rust spots. Ideally, an old skillet with years of use would be best!
• Before cooking the steaks, allow them to sit on the counter top for about 10 minutes and come closer to room temperature.

FAQ

More Cast Iron Recipes

• Cast Iron Apple Spice Skillet Cake
• Cast Iron Mixed Berry Crisp
• Easy Baked Frittata
• Skillet Sausage Dip