Steak is one of our favorite meals, especially a nice big juicy T-Bone or a tender tri tip steak, but what do you do when you can’t eat the whole thing and that gorgeous steak turns into leftovers? What is the best way to reheat a steak and not ruin it?
It might seem impossible to reheat a steak and have it turn out good the second time, but it’s not. Here’s the best way to reheat steak like a pro.
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Steak often doesn’t taste the same after being reheated and it can result in a chewy or leathery texture. Your perfectly cooked medium rare steak turns into an overcooked hunk of meat. We want to avoid that tragedy at all costs.
A properly reheated steak requires patience and the right techniques, but you can reheat a steak and have it be just as juicy and delicious as the first time you eat it.
Here are the best ways to reheat steak without ruining it.
#1 Reheating Steak in the Oven
Reheating steak in the oven is the most preferred method for retaining the juiciness and degree of doneness of the steak. It will take slightly longer than other methods, but it’s going to result in the best steak.
To reheat in the oven, grab a wire rack and place it over a baking sheet. Set the steak on the rack. Assuming you just took the steak out of the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature before cooking.
Preheat your oven to 275°F. Cook it until the internal temperature reaches 110°F. The best way to keep an eye on it is to use an in-oven meat thermometer. For the best steak, you’ll want to sear it next on the stove top to get that crispness. However, if you want to skip the sear, continue cooking the meat to 130 °F before taking it out to rest.
To do the sear, take the steak out of the oven at 110°F . Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add some fat to the pan, like cooking oil or butter. Sear the steak for about 1 minute on each side.
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#2 Reheating in the Air Fryer
Most people have an air fryer these days. It’s become a very popular kitchen appliance that helps you avoid the oven all together. It works by circulating air around the food to crisp it up on all sides as it cooks evenly.
You can see why this would be a fantastic way to reheat your steak. You can essentially get the oven and searing method in one go!
To reheat your steak in the air fryer, first start out with steak that has been brought up to room temperature. Place the steak in the air fryer basket. Spray or coat the steak with cooking oil. For extra goodness, add a dollop of butter on the top of each steak.
Cook at 350°F until the steak reaches 110-130°F, depending on your desired doneness. This will take about 3-8 minutes. Check it every 2 minutes to prevent over cooking.
Why Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an incredibly easy way to cook just about anything. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and hot air rapidly circulates all around the food, making the food crisp – much like deep-frying, but without the oil. You can cook anything you’d make in the oven.
- If you don’t have an air fryer yet, check out these options to find one that fits your needs.
- See reviews and prices for air fryers on Amazon.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Air Fryer.
- Learn how to make fun things in the air fryer, like potato wedges, pork belly bites, and chicken wings.
» If you don’t have an Air Fryer yet (go directly to Amazon and order one!), you really should consider it. We have a free Air Fryer starter guide that you can download or check out our Air Fryer page for more.
#3 Reheating On The Stovetop
You can reheat directly on the stovetop if you would rather skip the oven. While this method is faster, you’ll need to watch over your steak more closely during cooking.
The skillet should be heated over medium heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Put the steak on the pan and turn it over every minute. Doing this will make sure it is cooked to your desired degree of doneness and doesn’t get overcooked. You want the meat to slowly reheat all around without cooking through the middle.
For medium-rare, two to three minutes should be sufficient.
#4 Microwaves Are Fastest
Microwaves are not the best way to reheat steak, but they are by far the fastest. Only use this method if you’re in a hurry or don’t have access to a stovetop.
There are three things you need to do when reheating stead in a microwave, for best results:
- Take the left over steak out of the refrigerator at least 10 minutes before reheating so it can come to room temperature. This will enable it to cook faster. The longer you have to cook it, the tougher it will become.
- You’ll want to add some fat to the outside of your steak to prevent drying it out. Brush the steak with some olive oil, butter, or bacon grease.
- Place the steak in a microwave safe container, preferably with a lid.
Now you can put your steak in the microwave on 50% power and heat it for just 30 seconds at a time, checking each time to see if it’s done to your liking, and flipping it over. Remember that there will be some carry over heating, so take it out just before it reaches your desired doneness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Leftover Steak Be Reheated?
You can easily reheat a steak and do it properly to not overcook it or ruin the texture. The best ways to do it are in the oven, air fryer, or on the stove top.
What can be done to prevent steak from drying out when reheated?
Slowly rewarming steak in the oven and then searing it in a skillet for a few minutes prevents it from drying out. This method is also the most suitable for cooking steak from raw. With this reheating method, the steak retains its juiciness and has a nice charred and crispy exterior.
Can you reheat steak in the microwave?
You can use a microwave to reheat a steak, but it won’t turn out the best. The microwave has a way of zapping food of its life, leaving it dry and tough. If you need to reheat in the microwave, cover the steak in a microwave-safe bowl and add some water to the bowl. Cook at 50% power for 30 second intervals, flipping the steak each time.
Conclusion
You can reheat leftover steak safely and conveniently when you handle it correctly. Whether you have a whole steak to reheat or just a few pieces, you can do so in the oven, air fryer, or on a pan and it will turn out great. Just follow our guide above to get it done!
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Laura is a home cook who loves making new recipes and finding new favorite things to eat, whether at home or abroad. She also runs a popular travel blog and spends a lot of her time traveling for food.