Whether you are new to grilling or whether you are a seasoned professional, grilling the perfect steak is always a challenge. There are so many different variables to consider so frankly making a simple instruction is not really appropriate.

For example, how long do you cook a steak for it to be medium rare? Some will say three minutes, someone will say four or maybe even five or six. The truth is that it really depends on your definition of medium rare and also more importantly the intensity of the grill heat and thickness of the steak. To be fair, there are also minor elements that can impact the results including the amount of seasoning or rub and also how often you flip the steak.

Let\’s get one thing clear from the start. Don\’t flip the steak! Every time your steak is turned it is taken off the heat and one thing that is extremely important when cooking steaks is to ensure that you have an even heat and a continuous heat.

Given all these variables I find that best way to describe how to cook steaks to your liking is to feel them. This may seem a little alien at the start however many top chefs use this technique. It essentially involves comparing the texture of the steak with the flesh under your thumb. I need to be clear on this point however in that you use your right hand to feel your left hand if you are a right-handed and use your left hand to feel your right hand if you are left handed.

For the purposes of this article I have assumed that you are right handed. If you are left handed then please reverse the instructions.

It is best to start with a raw steak and practice without having to worry about burning yourself on the grill. Give your left hand a good shake. Use your right hand to feel the steak between your thumb and fingers, give it a little squeeze whilst making a mental note of how forgiving the flesh is. Now get your left hand (it you are right handed) and made the divers OK okay sign by connecting your thumb and index finger together at the tip. Feel the flesh at the base of your thumb and compare it with the texture when you squeezed the raw steak. You will find that the steak is more forgiving but if you were cooking the steak and it had the same texture at the base of your thumb then this would be rare.

Put your middle finger together with your thumb and feel the difference in texture of your flesh in comparison to where you were when using your index finger, it is a little harder. With the thumb and middle finger together, this texture is equivalent to medium rare. Likewise the texture equivalent to what you feel when your thumb and ring finger are together, this is medium, and with your thumb and little finger together then this is medium well.

You should now have run out of fingers! I guess if we had 6 fingers then we will be able to test for well but sadly we don\’t so I can only suggest two options.

The first is to wait for the medium texture and then add a few minutes.

The second is to remove your shoes and compare the texture of the steak to your shoe leather.

Author Bio: Paul Yates writes more about how to grill steaks as well as gas grill reviews. He also hosts his own barbecue forum to answer your questions and concerns.

Category: Cooking
Keywords: how to grill steaks, steak grilling tips, grilled steak, perfectly grilled steaks,