Not many people know the importance of letting steak rest after it’s done cooking. Meat is honestly better when it rests and not only steaks but also meats like pork.
Why is it necessary? So a little science, when you cook your steak, the proteins set, and when it feels soft to the touch, then know it is undercooked and vice versa.
The skill of cooking steak and cooking it well is a skill like any other that comes with experience, so do not be so hard on yourself. It needs to rest because the juices need time to redistribute so as not to flow away when cut.
This is because the muscle fibers constrict when the steak is heated and push the juices towards the meat center, away from the heat source. All the juices are concentrated in the center of the meat, so resting will help you achieve a moist and flavourful steak.
If you cut it straight from cooking, it will leave the meat brown and overcooked. Also, the residual heat on the meat continues to cook the meat from the inside after you’ve removed it from the grill.
For example, if your desired temperature is 130 degrees, then remove it a few degrees lower to help it come to the desired temperature while resting.
How Long Should The Steak Rest?
Below are a few methods you can use to know how long your steak should rest:
- If you are in a hurry, then let the steak rest for a minimum of 5 minutes before cutting it.
- If the steak is thick, then let it rest for 20 minutes.
- A rule of thumb is to let the meat rest for 5 minutes per inch of its thickness.
- Rest the steak for 1 minute per 100 grams
- Rest the meat for 10 minutes per pound
- To let it cook on its temperature, rest the meat for half the time you used to cook it or the whole time if it is thick.
As you’ve seen, the resting time is pretty dynamic, especially with different thicknesses of your steak, so make sure to keep that in mind.
How To Rest The Steak
You may be wondering how to do it. Follow the following easy steps:
- Remove your steak from the grill or pan and turn them off
- Transfer it carefully to a cutting board or serving platter
- Use your prepared aluminum foil to tent it loosely to retain some heat
- Remove the foil when it’s rested at the set time
- Now cut and serve as desired.
Tenting Steak
Tenting steak is the technique used to prevent over-browning. The foil reflects heat so that the steak’s skin does not burn, and the meat can continue to cook.
Remember above, when we mentioned letting the steak cook in its heat, now tenting would slowly help the meat cook. Another purpose of tenting is to let the steak rest to preserve its juices remaining moist and juicy.
The meat’s temperature slightly rises about 5 degrees more, helping it continue to cook even when removed out of the source. How is tenting done anyway?
Transfer your cooked steak onto the tin foil sheet. Make sure that the steak is well wrapped in the foil. Do not let the steak rest sit in the open air unless you want it dry, especially if you are cooking outside and windy.
What To Do With Overcooked Steak
This sometimes happens, especially if you are cooking steak for the first time. So, if it does, soak it in a marinade overnight if possible and then chop it up for a shepherd’s pie or wraps. If it is not so overcooked, you can shred it and use it in sandwiches.
In conclusion, the steak should rest after being cooked. This is to help retain moisture in the meat, and tenting allows that get done.
