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Last Updated on May 3, 2021
A well grilled, juicy, and tender steak is undoubtedly one of life’s great indulgences. Grilling your steak is one of the best methods to achieve the classic smoky taste that everyone craves. But what do you do if you want to grill steak, but you haven’t got a grill?
Whether you don’t own a grill or it’s just too cold to stand outside, and you’d rather stay in the warmth of your kitchen, you’ll be amazed at how many alternatives there are for producing a mouthwatering steak. You can use your stove, oven, a skillet, a blowtorch, and even your crockpot to turn out a perfectly cooked and succulent steak.
Pre-Sear and Oven Finish Method
A great way to cook a steak without a grill is to pre-sear it and finish it off in your oven. When you pre-sear your steak, you apply high heat to it for a short amount of time. This browns the outside and creates a crust. It also locks in the flavor and moisture.
The combination of direct and indirect heat in this method produces an evenly cooked steak with a crisp crust that’s just as good as the one you’d make on a grill.
To start, preheat the oven to 350°F and grab a pan, preferably one that is cast iron. Put it over high heat. Add a small amount of oil, such as grapeseed oil, which can withstand high temperatures.
Add the steak to the pan and sear for roughly 2 minutes, depending on its size. Turn the steak over and sear for another 2 minutes. Keeping your steak in the pan, transfer it to your pre-heated oven. Cook it in the oven for between 2 to 5 minutes, depending on your preference.
Once this time is up, remove your steak from the pan, cover it in foil, and let it rest for around 7 minutes.
Reverse Sear Method
An alternative to the pre-sear method is to do the same thing essentially but in a different order. The reason for choosing this method over the previous one is that it allows you to have slightly more control. When you start the steak in the oven and finish it in the pan, you can be more precise about how well done the steak is.
To perform the reverse sear method, start by preheating your oven to 200°F. Put your steak onto a sheet pan with a rack and place it into the oven. Cook for around 20 to 35 minutes, depending on the size. If you want a rare steak, you should aim to reach a temperature of at least 120°F.
Once the allotted time passes, remove your steak from the oven and coat it in some oil. Sear the steak in the hot pan for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Doing so raises the temperature of your steak to approximately 135°F. Let your steak rest under some foil for 10 minutes, and enjoy.
The 4-3-2 Method
This alternative and popular method of cooking your steak without a grill is probably the most straightforward and the quickest of them all. It is also the method that most closely replicates cooking steak on an outdoor grill.
Begin by preheating a heavy, cast iron skillet for an extended period over high heat. Do not add any oil. Place your steak in the skillet and press down on it gently. Allow the steak to cook for 4 minutes without turning. Then, flip your steak over and cook for a further 3 minutes. Remove your steak from the pan, rest for around 2 minutes, and serve it up.
The Oven Cooked Method
It is possible to produce a delicious steak using only your oven. You may not get the same crisp crust as the above methods, but your steak will be evenly cooked.
For the oven method, season your steak well, and add a generous amount of butter to ensure it stays moist. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
Add your steak to a sheet pan with a rack. You’ll want to bake your steak in the oven for around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the type and size. Don’t forget to let it sit after cooking. When you cook a steak in the oven, it needs to rest for approximately 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Indoor Smoker Method
If you’re looking to recreate that authentic smoky flavor of a charcoal grill as closely as possible, then this is the perfect option for you.
Line a large, high-sided pan with aluminum foil. Place some wood chips on top. Next, place another layer of foil on top of the wood chips—pierce holes in the top layer of foil to allow the smoke to escape. Once you have done this, place a wire rack over the top layer of foil and set your steak onto it.
Then, place the entire pan on the stovetop at medium-high heat. As the pan heats up, smoke from the wood chips will infuse your steak, and the wire rack will add some grill marks for effect. Smoking for 3 to 4 minutes should be enough. You can then finish the cooking process in a hot pan to create a crisp crust.
Blowtorch Method
Although steak cooking isn’t the first thing you’d use a culinary blowtorch for, its high temperatures can produce a tasty, charred crust. To use this method, follow the same steps from the Reverse Sear Method.
By starting the cooking process in the oven, you evenly cook the insides of the steak. Afterward, grab your blowtorch and use it to crisp up the outside of the steak to your liking. You’ll have a perfectly cooked steak without a grill in sight.
Crockpot Method
While it seems unconventional for cooking steak, a crockpot’s true versatility comes into play here. To use this method, you’ll want to brown the steak on both sides utilizing the beginning steps of the Pre-Sear Method.
This will effectively lock in the flavors and moisture before you finish the cooking process in the crockpot. Once you have pre-seared your steak, season it well and place it into your crockpot. Depending on your steak’s size, you should let it cook slowly for around 3 to 4 hours for a juicy, tender finish.
Grill Steak Without a Grill
If a grill isn’t available to you for whatever reason, don’t despair. There are plenty of inventive and straightforward ways to recreate that authentic, smoky flavor and a caramelized crust that grills are famous for. All you need are a few kitchen appliances and some creativity.
