Is it Better to Grill or Pan Fry Steak?

Everybody likes their steak cooked in a certain way. For example, some food enthusiasts like their grilled steak because they enjoy meat with a smoky flavor and black grill marks.

On the other hand, some people prefer fried steak because of the flavorful brown crust on the exterior of the meat.

Is it better to grill or pan-fry steak? The exact method of cooking a steak depends on how you want it. The taste and flavor one wants to attain after cooking is what determines whether to grill or pan fry steak.

If you’re conflicted between the two choices, this article is for you. Let’s explore each one of them.

Grilling Steak

Grilling starts by selecting your favorite steak. The best steaks for grilling include:

• T-bone
• Sirloin
• Ribeye
• Flank steak
• Flat-iron
• Rump-steak

The next step entails choosing the exact method type of grilling you’ll use. You can grill indoors or outdoors. For indoor grilling, it involves using either an electric grill or a grill pan over a stovetop. And outdoor grilling entails using either a charcoal or a propane grill.

When your grill is preheated, you should then place your steak on the grill for cooking. You might also consider seasoning it before cooking.

It requires you to flip the steak so that it evenly cooks on both sides. The cooking takes a few minutes on each side, depending on its thickness.

If you’re using a grill pan or an electric grill, you’ll notice fats dripping from the steak to the ridges of the cooking surface. Suppose it’s a conventional grill; the fats drop on the fire and cause more smoke while grilling.

So after it’s cooked as you want, it will have attractive grill marks on the exterior and a smoky flavor.

Above is a brief account of how grilling steak takes place.

Check out our guide on how to cook a thick steak on an electric grill.

What are the benefits of grilling steak?

It requires less oil

If you are mindful of healthy eating and don’t like greasy foods, grilling might be your choice. Grilling steak requires less oil from preparation to cooking.

Additionally, while grilling steak drips down excess fats, thus making it healthier. It reduces the extra cholesterol levels you’ll be consuming.

Enhanced flavor

One significant reason that makes most people love grilled steak is the flavor.

Grilling steaks results in a distinctive smoky flavor. Each type of grilling gives a unique smoky flavor. However, they are great flavors.

Also, spiced and marinated grilled steak tastes excellent.

The steak’s nutritional value isn’t reduced

Grilling is one cooking process that doesn’t reduce the nutritional value of your steak. Nutrients such as thiamine and riboflavin are maintained in the steak after grilling.

Ideal for outdoor cooking

If you think of cooking steak while undertaking your favorite outdoor activities, grilling is a suitable cooking method. In fact, it’s among the enjoyed activities by families and friends as they do camping among other activities.

Through grilling, you enjoy the company of friends and all of the above three listed benefits.

Pan-Frying Steak

Cooking steak on a frying pan is also another method a significant number of people use. It is called pan-frying. Like grilling, it all starts with selecting a quality steak for cooking. It should be at least one inch thick.

The most suitable steak is the boneless Ribeye, Filet Mignon, Sirloin, and New York strip steak. Also, ensure you buy a fresh steak if you want to get the best flavor.

The next step is to heat your pan and cooking butter/ oil (olive oil). Then place your steak on the pan and cook it for a few minutes on one side till it’s caramelized and brownish.

Next, turn to cook the other side as well for the minutes till you get similar results.

However, you can turn the sides of the steak after every minute if you want to achieve a thicker crust on the sides of the steak.

Pan frying steak should take about 2-5 minutes, depending on its thickness.

When you see your steak has attained a brown color and tenderness, then it’s cooked.

However, if your pan and the cooking oil are not hot enough, you get an oily and soggy steak.

NOTE: Pan-frying is not the same as deep frying. Deep-frying uses excess cooking oils and requires significantly excess temperatures for cooking, while pan-frying uses an average amount of oils and temperature to cook.

Also Read: Sirloin vs. Ribeye: A Delicious Beef Battle Unveiled

What are the benefits of pan-frying steak?

Not time-consuming

To pan-fry a steak, it only takes a couple of minutes as long as the pan and oil have attained the optimum temperature for cooking.

Nice exterior texture

The exterior of a pan-fried steak is crispy and brownish. Also, the inner moisture of the steak is well retained even after cooking. The center part is also juicy.

Holds nutritional value when done properly

Pan-frying steak the right way can maintain its nutritional value and vice versa.

Bottom Line

Pan frying or grilling a steak? Both are great cooking methods. However, choosing the right one depends on the flavor and taste you want to attain on your steak.

Additionally, flavors from both cooking techniques are unique and liked by different people.

Nevertheless, grilling is perceived to be a healthier cooking alternative since it does not entail using excess oils as pan-frying does. Also, it causes a steak to release some of its excess fats. 

Check out Atgrills indoor electric grills and griddles to cook steak on a non stick cookware with natural stone coating.