You Should Cook Your Steak In A Cast Iron Pan. Here's Why
Many people simply cannot resist a well-cooked steak. While there are a variety of cooking methods to achieve this desired result, ranging from grilling to sous-vide to broiling, the cast iron pan remains a tried and true favorite. The cast iron pan is a chef's best friend and is always at the top of lists for tools and equipment you want to have in your kitchen (via USA Today). For this reason, it should come as no surprise that cooking steaks in a cast iron pan is one of the best ways to ensure a well-cooked piece of meat. But why?
To begin with, cast iron pans, which are inexpensive and won't break the bank, are made of very dense metal that can distribute and retain heat better than other frying pans or enamel pots. This allows for even heating. Even heating is important because not only do foods cook faster, they cook evenly throughout. This allows for meats like steak to brown and sear better. Searing creates a crusty and complex flavor foundation for your steak, and is the first step to enhancing the flavor of this cut of beef (via The Kitchn).
Other reasons you should cook steak in a cast iron pan
Additionally, cooking steak in a cast iron pan allows you to take full advantage of both your stovetop and your oven. Cast iron has this flexibility of use which is ideal when cooking thick-cut steaks like filet mignon or bone-in ribeyes using the reverse sear technique (via Kansas City Steak Company). The reverse sear technique is when the steak is slow-roasted in the oven and then seared on the stovetop right before it is served. The result is nothing short of amazing (via The Kitchn).
Cast iron pans have other qualities that make them ideal for cooking steak, including their natural nonstick nature. A well-seasoned cast iron pan is naturally nonstick. What does this mean? A well-seasoned cast iron pan begins with oiling the inside cooking surface and then heating it (via Popular Science). Heating the pan to high temperatures bonds the oil to the cast iron for the life of the pan. The result is a protective layer that is hard and nonstick.
What does this mean for cooking your steak? Fuego Diablo notes that a well-seasoned cast iron pan means you will not have to use as much oil when cooking and you do not have worry about any synthetic or harmful materials getting into your foods that might be of concern with other pans.
So skip the grill and go for the cast iron pan when you cook steak — you won't be sorry.