Steak Technique

johnnyp

After @henapple 's thread on eating steak at restaurants and the disappointment usually associated with it, I'm looking for technique and best practices for steakhouse quality steaks.

I feel that I can consistently exceed chain restaurant steaks (outback, longhorn, etc.), but am not achieving results comparable to high end steak houses such as Ruths Cris or Morton's.

What is the secret to getting over the hump and achieving steak nirvana?

johnnyp

@RRP per your request, the seperate thread is here for future searchability.  Please grace us with your knowledge

SoCalTim

There are many ways to make the 'perfect' steak, I've had incredible luck with Grill Grates. The Prime Ribeye I pull from my egg using these is as good if not better than any steak I've had in any steakhouse ... 'cept Ruths Cris .. I don't know what they do, they have freakin' awesome steaks .. awesome!

SaltySam

Reverse sear and a Thermapen.  Give yourself time to roast the steak, take the temp quickly, pull it about 10 degrees before your target temp, sear quickly for color and then rest for at least five minutes.  And, buy good meat.  You'll still spend a fraction of the price of even a sh*tty chain restaurant steak.  

johnnyp

SoCalTim said:

 'cept Ruths Cris

That's what I'm saying!    I want the secret. Surely someone knows how reach the summit

feef706

Never eaten at High end establishments like Ruth Chris so I'm curious of the comments here

Angus1978

Are you buying Prime Grade beef?   That's my .02
i feel I beat III Forks and that's similar to Ruth Chris'

johnnyp

Angus1978 said:

Are you buying Prime Grade beef?   That's my .02
i feel I beat III Forks and that's similar to Ruth Chris'

I'll buy prime for special occasions.  but I feel my results remain a notch below the top tier 

RRP

First, thanks for making this a separate, searchable and therefore living thread for years to come unless someone buffalos it with nasties!

I have to get up early tomorrow, but I can pretty much condense my hints in a few words...prime beef - dry aged at least 21 or 28 days - hot tubbed for an hour to 100º IT - hit with kosher salt - sear at 650 to 750 for 45 seconds, turn 90º for 45, flip for 45, turn 90º for 45 seconds - plate and rest for a minute. Top with pats of real butter to add the glistening goodness!

johnnyp

RRP said:

First, thanks for making this a separate, searchable and therefore living thread for years to come unless someone buffalos it with nasties!

I have to get up early tomorrow, but I can pretty much condense my hints in a few words...prime beef - dry aged at least 21 or 28 days - hot tubbed for an hour to 100º IT - hit with kosher salt - sear at 650 to 750 for 45 seconds, turn 90º for 45, flip for 45, turn 90º for 45 seconds - plate and rest for a minute. Top with pats of real butter to add the glistening goodness!

Just to clarify the lingo....Ron you're saying SV is the key?

RRP

johnnyp said:

RRP said:

First, thanks for making this a separate, searchable and therefore living thread for years to come unless someone buffalos it with nasties!

I have to get up early tomorrow, but I can pretty much condense my hints in a few words...prime beef - dry aged at least 21 or 28 days - hot tubbed for an hour to 100º IT - hit with kosher salt - sear at 650 to 750 for 45 seconds, turn 90º for 45, flip for 45, turn 90º for 45 seconds - plate and rest for a minute. Top with pats of real butter to add the glistening goodness!

Just to clarify the lingo....Ron you're saying SV is the key?

yes, but I do the poor man's SV by bagging the steaks separately in waterproof bags and drop them in a small cooler which has very hot water from the tap - which most homes means about 120º-130º. By using the tight cooler then an hour will be sufficient without changing out the water. If more than 2 large steaks then you might want to check. BTW yes a Theramapen to check the water as well as the steaks for doneness is an added protective twist to perfecting your at home steaks!

One last thing - medium rare is the best for wonderful steaks - if you or your guests want well done steaks - then don't bother with any of my hints - just cook them to shoe leather consistency and serve with A-1 sauce! LOL

McStew

Personally I'm a flipper and rest for 10-15 min ... This was flipped 30-40 times during the cook 

SGH

RRP said:

 searchable and therefore living thread for years to come unless someone buffalos it with nasties!

  

Darby_Crenshaw

SV and hot-tubbing are similar, but not the same

SV typically involves a longer hold at specific temps, for the purposes not only of cooking the meat, but doing so in a way that achieves a different (some say better) texture, among other considerations 

hot tubbing is method for taking the chill off the meat in a way that works better rhan and quicker than the old "leave it out until room temp" advice. It's been said that this method also develops some of the flavors achieved by aging (because enzymes are sped up by the heat), but that's unclear. These same flavors are one of the things SV also is said to achieve

HT's aim is a warmed steak, finished by searing only, which gives a perfect uniform cross section

SV does this too, but is more controlled, under vacuum, and aims to do other things than just warm up the meat

NPHuskerFL

Ruth's Chris or The Capital Grille mostly pan sear and use an IR Salamander. I should know I worked on Capital Grille's ceramics on the line before it was replaced w/ a new one. Roughly 900+℉ IR heat. RC line cooking is specialized just for them (FACT). 
I do steaks an average of twice a week. Anytime I'm working in restaurants I listen to experienced Chefs, Sous Chefs, line prep peeps....everybody!  They all have tips that can better your game. Then it's a matter of making it work for yourself and fine tuning the skill set. I use multiple methods and techniques depending on the cut I'm working with. 

kwdickert

good beef and t rex method worked for me everytime so far. Capital grille only had me beat with their coffee rub. Carne crosta should fix that. 

chadpsualum

I'm a reverse sear guy.  Lately I've been using a CI pan (in lieu of the CI grates or the SS grates).  I've found that the crust has been better.

Truth be told...the biggest difference I have found is ponying up for the 'better' cut of meat.  If you get good marbling the steaks just taste like butter.

Darby_Crenshaw

our lump is as hot or hotter than those IR broilers.  it's as much or more about distance from the radiant source than anything though.

FWIW i have had waiters tells me the broiler was at 1200, 1600, 1800, etc.

and that it "sears in the juices".

sumoconnell

RRP said:

johnnyp said:

RRP said:

First, thanks for making this a separate, searchable and therefore living thread for years to come unless someone buffalos it with nasties!

I have to get up early tomorrow, but I can pretty much condense my hints in a few words...prime beef - dry aged at least 21 or 28 days - hot tubbed for an hour to 100º IT - hit with kosher salt - sear at 650 to 750 for 45 seconds, turn 90º for 45, flip for 45, turn 90º for 45 seconds - plate and rest for a minute. Top with pats of real butter to add the glistening goodness!

Just to clarify the lingo....Ron you're saying SV is the key?

yes, but I do the poor man's SV by bagging the steaks separately in waterproof bags and drop them in a small cooler which has very hot water from the tap - which most homes means about 120º-130º. By using the tight cooler then an hour will be sufficient without changing out the water. If more than 2 large steaks then you might want to check. BTW yes a Theramapen to check the water as well as the steaks for doneness is an added protective twist to perfecting your at home steaks!

One last thing - medium rare is the best for wonderful steaks - if you or your guests want well done steaks - then don't bother with any of my hints - just cook them to shoe leather consistency and serve with A-1 sauce! LOL

This is what I do too, recipe from rrp. Consistent, great results, with no resting needed.

Also like a ny strip direct on the coals.. That's fun cook and freaks out guests.  Put butter on it right off the grill to break up the char, rest with blue cheese on it, slice it and serve as an appetizer.  

johnnyp

Does anyone have strong opinions on Peter Luger style?

Thatgrimguy

Better beef is the great steak house secret. That and perfect Malliard effect usually created by using a salamader broiler that runs at 1800 degree +  (Ruth Chris for sure does this)

RRP

Personally I think this thread deserves to get more wide spread input and life blood - so BUMP!

NPHuskerFL

Darby_Crenshaw said:

our lump is as hot or hotter than those IR broilers.  it's as much or more about distance from the radiant source than anything though.

FWIW i have had waiters tells me the broiler was at 1200, 1600, 1800, etc.

and that it "sears in the juices".

Depends upon the manufacturer specs. But, yes they get extremely hot. No reason the results can't be duplicated or even surpassed on the egg. 

Mattman3969

My best steak to date was a strip that was seared in CI with a lil bacon grease them slow toasted till it hit 130 IT. 

Darby_Crenshaw

Actually my point was that waiters seem to make up IR element temp numbers, as with making up the 'seals in juices' foolishness. Salesmanship

i've always pimped the idea that your blazing lump can be as hot as the IR element they broil under. Distance is an issue though 

SGH

Darby_Crenshaw said:

Actually my point was that waiters seem to make up IR element temp numbers, as with making up the 'seals in juices' foolishness. Salesmanship

I'm inclined to agree with the salesmanship nonsense when it comes to sealing in the juices. It's simply isn't possible to seal in the juices. If one wants juicy meat, the trick is simply not to over cook it. 

bgebrent

The waiters are fed the jargon.  "Training". This beats restaurant food for me.

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1183113/first-swing-at-caveman-ribeyes-damn#latest

NPHuskerFL

@Darby_Crenshaw
Agree servers and salespeople notoriously embellish on things they know nothing of. I personally prefer tech specs for true #s. Sear in juices  Sure Sure that's why a CI pan, caveman or otherwise beautifully seared steak never ever leaks juices during the rest  
https://youtu.be/0slTBGBEf0g

JohnInCarolina

Thatgrimguy said:

Better beef is the great steak house secret. That and perfect Malliard effect usually created by using a salamader broiler that runs at 1800 degree +  (Ruth Chris for sure does this)

I'm guessing the broiler is another way to insure a fairly predictable end result in a short time frame as well.  But I'd be surprised if it's genuinely the best way to maximize the quality of the end product.

MelSharples

Haven't seen any mention of seasoning yet. I have found that home cooks tend to not season (really salt) the meat enough. I liberally coat both sides of a nice cut with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Don't be afraid of salt!

buzd504

Ruth's Chris also uses a sht ton of butter.  I find that unnecessary with a really good steak.