This article discusses how to grill a frozen steak without thawing. Grilling is a popular cooking method, especially for backyard parties. If you are planning to grill steak for dinner but you forgot to pull out the meat from the freezer and you do not have the time to thaw it, you can directly put the meat in the griller. Below are tips and information on how to grill frozen steak to perfection without thawing it first.
How do you grill a frozen steak without thawing it? The process of grilling a frozen steak is the same as those of a fresh steak. However, you need to be extra careful with the temperature. Also, grilling a frozen steak takes longer as compared to unfrozen ones.
You can now cook steaks directly from the freezer to the grill and still have perfect results. If you grill frozen steaks the right way, you may even like this grilling method. How long do you cook a frozen steak? Do frozen steaks cook better? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. Read more below for tips on how to grill a frozen steak.
Why do Frozen Steaks Cook Better?
Cooking a frozen steak is a technique that helps reduce the gray band. A frozen steak will provide the right temperature on the surface for a crispy sear. However, the frozen steak takes longer to heat up under the surface which results in a thinner and almost non-existent gray band. This means that you do not have to bite through a layer of tough and overcooked meat. Using this cooking technique also results in a bigger and juicer steak.
The gray band can get in the way of having the perfect steak. It is the strip of grayish and overcooked meat that is found between the seared crust of the steak and its juicy center. When it comes to steaks taste and texture are vital. The perfect steak has a crispy sear and tender center. If you cook a frozen steak properly, it can get rid of the gray band.
How to Grill a Frozen Steak
It might seem complicated to cook a frozen steak but if you do it right, you can enjoy a delicious and tender meal. Below are the steps to help you make the best frozen steak possible.
Properly Freeze the Steak
How the steak is frozen will affect the cooking result. You can either buy a steak that is already frozen or you can buy fresh steak and freeze them properly. To properly freeze a steak, keep it on a flat surface like a baking sheet. Place the steak in a bag and make sure to remove all air pockets. Place the steak down flat in your freezer. Be mindful that you do not keep the freezer accidentally open. If the steak thaws and it is not immediately cooked, it will get bad. Moreover, do not let the steak stay in the freezer for too long. A steal can last from three to six months before it gets freezer burn.
Sear the Steak Properly
Searing the steak gives the edges a crispy texture. See to it that you sear both sides of the steak. Also, searing will not cook the steak all the way. Do not keep the steak over the open flame for too long to avoid overcooked r burnt meat.
Season the Steak
People have their preferences when it comes to seasoning the steak. A simple way to season the steak is to dash it with salt and pepper so that the natural flavors of the steak prevail. Others prefer a more creative and delicious seasoning method. Do not season the steak before searing because the seasoning will not stick to the steak. Rather, season it after searing.
Use Indirect Heat for Cooking
Once the beef is seared and seasoned, put it on indirect heat. This will allow the steak to heat up on the inside. Cook the steak for about fifteen minutes. You can use a thermometer to determine the temperature before you take it off of the heat. The general rule is to pull the steak off of the heat when it is only five degrees away from the desired temperature.
Serve and Enjoy
This is the best part of cooking a steak. You can partner the steak with your favorite wine or beer. It is best to serve the steak immediately after cooking. You can also read this article that talks about how to grill frozen meat. We have shared tips and ideas for cooking frozen meat without thawing it first.
Tips on How to Properly Grill Frozen Steak
Using a thick steak is a good choice for grilling. Also, get the right thermometer to measure the temperature. When it comes to grilling frozen steak, there are many techniques that you can do so that it will cook properly. Below are helpful tips that you can follow.
Use the Right Thermometer
When it comes to cooking steak properly, knowing the correct temperature of a frozen steak is important. Be sure to have the right meat thermometer handy. You can find a wide array of thermometers depending on your specific needs. Some options that you can choose from including a wireless meat thermometer and instant-read meat thermometers.
Choose a Thick Steak
While you need to thaw the steak and cook it quickly, it is best to choose a thick frozen steak. Take note that a thin piece of steak will cook quickly, but it will become overdone in the middle if it is still frozen. On the other hand, thick steaks will cook more evenly and you will have the ideal pink color on the meat. Choose steaks that are about one inch to an inch and a half thick. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, is it safe to cook frozen meat without thawing? Find out how safe it is to cook frozen meat.
Direct and Indirect Heat
Use direct and indirect heat when cooking frozen steaks. Direct heat is the hottest part of the grill which is directly on top of the flames and can get as hot as 2500 degrees. On the other hand, indirect heat is away from the flames and has a temperature of around 300 degrees. When cooking frozen steaks, use direct heat to sear the edges of the steak and indirect heat to allow the middle of the steak to cook.
Can You Put a Frozen Steak on the Grill?
You can put a frozen steak on the grill but you will need to change your cooking method. The cooking will also take longer as compared to grilling thawed or fresh steak. Grilling frozen steak can still have a juicy and tender result with a perfect crisp crust. According to some experts, cooking frozen steak might actually give you better results. This is because the extremely low temperature of frozen meat will keep the interior of the steak from heating up when the outside is seared. As a result, it prevents the gray band of overcooked meat from developing around the edges of the steak.
✅ Video – How to Cook a Frozen Steak (Without Thawing First)
Adam Ragusea shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to cook a frozen steak without thawing first. This process works best for thick steaks that are about an inch thick. Watch the video below of the step-by-step frozen steak-grilling procedure.
How Long Do You Cook a Frozen Steak on a Grill?
The time that it takes to cook a frozen steak on a grill usually depends on the thickness of the steak that you are cooking and the heat temperature. Place the frozen steaks on the grill for around 5 to 7 minutes on each side to have a good sear. Make sure to check the internal temperature while searing. Do not allow the temperature to rise above 90°F.
What Temperature Should I Cook Steak on the Grill?
Between 450°F to 500°F is the best cooking temperature for steaks. Make sure that you stay within those temperatures while cooking. We have also shared this article that discusses how to defrost chicken quickly. Check out the article for tips and information.
Should You Cook Steak on Low or High Heat?
When grilling a steak, it is important to use the highest heat that you can generate. On the other hand, you need to be careful that you will not burn your food or have it overcooked. High heat allows the steak to cook faster. Take note that the lesser time the steak spends cooking, the more tender it will be. Furthermore, high heat can produce the Maillard reaction which is a chemical process that helps forms the flavorful brown crust on the exterior of a steak. How safe is it to grill frozen chicken? Read this article titled, is it OK to grill frozen chicken? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this article that discusses how to grill a frozen steak without thawing it. Cooking frozen steak might be challenging especially if it is your first time doing it. However, it is actually very simple and it can also give you better results as compared to cooking thawed meat. The next time you need to throw a backyard grilling party, consider the tips that we have shared and cook the perfect frozen steak without thawing. Thank you for reading!