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Now the weather is warming up, it’s time to heat up the barbecue.

This is usually my husband’s domain, and my comments on how to cook with it are not always appreciated. It has taken me many, many summers of subtly recommending ideas to achieve the perfect steak.

Now the BBQ season is upon us, I thought I would share my tips with you!

Ideally allow the steaks to come to room temperature before cooking – this helps the steak to cook more evenly.  If you don’t have the time, don’t worry.

Rub the steak with oil, salt and pepper. Only salt the meat just as you are about to put the steak on the barbecue. If you salt the meat too early, it will draw the moisture out and make it dry.

Contrary to popular belief, turn the steak often, probably every minute or so. Your steak will cook faster and more evenly by turning it often. Ideally start on the flat hotplate and then finish off on the grill for the last minute or two to get a nice crust.

Now the big question – how long do you cook it for? Well, it all depends on the thickness of the steak!

2½ cm Thick:

Medium-rare cook for 6–7 minutes

Medium cook for 8–9 minutes

Well done cook for 10–12 minutes

3½ cm Thick:

Medium-rare cook for 8–9 minutes

Medium cook for 10–11 minutes

Well done cook for 12–14 minutes

4½ cm Thick:

Medium-rare cook for 10–12 minutes

Medium cook for 14–16 minutes

Well done cook for 18–20 minutes

These are total cooking times, not for each side, and are based on our gas barbecue. Times may vary slightly depending on the type of grill you have and whether you use wood, charcoal or gas.

If you are using a rib eye on the bone or a T-bone, for example, you may need to cook for 1-2 minutes longer than the times suggested above.

Our favourite salads with steak and sausages are Tomato Salad and Beetroot Salad (Summer TABLE pages 99 and 109).

Why not cook an extra couple of steaks and be ready to whip up a Thai Beef Salad later in the week (in less than 10 minutes) click here.

Grab a copy of Summer TABLE for more fast, delicious and healthy recipes more information here.

Main image courtesy of Shutterstock.com
  • Thanks for sharing this article

    Reply

  • Nothing beats a nice tender steak 🙂 thank you for your hints & tips, hopefully this will help others achieve the perfect steak everytime!

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  • Mmmmmm.. Makes me want to cook a steak tonight!


    • yeah steak would be a lovely meal anytime lol.

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  • Some good guidelines thanks. It can be difficult at times.

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  • Yummy! Thanks for sharing your tips

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  • Cooking the steak is my husbands domain.

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  • thanks for sharing these tips

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  • You don’t often hear advice to turn the steak often but I always do…it helps me remember how long each side has been cooking for so I don’t burn one side

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  • Craving a nice medium rare steak now!

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  • I can never seam to get steak right lets hope I will know

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  • Thanks for sharing; our family loves the BBQ season so these tips will definitely come in handy!.

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  • Yummy ideas n great advise to cook meat

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  • thanks.. good tips..

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  • Thanks always so many various ways to cook steak but I think this is the correct way

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  • thanks for sharing

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  • Love Thai beef salad, great tip to cook extra steak!

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  • Important points to follow thanks

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  • I am a chef and i dont agree with turning a steak every minute or so! it dries the steak out! but thats my opinion…


    • Yes, that was the thinking but a lot of chefs are coming around to this different concept. Give it a try – you might be surprised!

    Reply

  • Thanks for the tip I have always salted the meat before now I know I will salt it just before. Thanks for sharing

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  • turning the steak often is definetly the key, every 20 seconds for me.

    Reply

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