How To Reheat Steak (4 Easy Methods)

If you somehow find yourself in the situation of having leftover steak, we both know you’re not going to let those leftovers go to waste. But a juicy steak isn’t something that you just warm in the microwave and eat while scrolling on your phone.

Cooking steak just right is a true art form, reheating steak leftovers properly can take just as much skill and patience – but when done right, your steak leftovers can be as tender and juicy as it was the first time around.

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Tips For Reheating Steak

Maybe you rocked the smoked t-bone recipe but made way more than any human could eat. Don’t lose hope, you can preserve that juicy flavor and tender texture we all love so much if you keep a few tips in mind:

Don’t reheat sliced steak. If your steak leftovers are already sliced, opt to serve the leftovers cold – like in a salad or as steak sandwiches. Sliced steak is extremely challenging to reheat without overcooking or drying out.

Let your steak rest. Reheating steak straight from the fridge is a common mistake that results in an overcooked and dried-out steak. Patience is key to retaining those juicy flavors and texture. Let your steak rest out of the fridge for around 10 minutes before reheating, unless you’re going for tough and dry.

Heat low and slow. You know this phrase already if you are a grilling or smoking aficionado and the reheating success of your steaks depends on this method! If you rush the process, you could end up with dry and rubbery meat, which will be difficult to chew and have none of its original flavors.

Sear your steak. To really bring the reheated but just as great steak experience home, finish reheating it with a quick sear in a cast iron skillet in a bit of butter or olive oil. This will give your steak a crispy texture similar to a freshly cooked filet and can add extra flavor to the meat if it has already lost some of its juices.

Rest your steak (again). Before digging in, allow your reheated steak to rest for about 5 minutes. This will let the meat retain and redistribute its remaining juices, giving you that texture and flavor you’re hoping to resurrect.

Add some extras. When reheating your steak, add chopped vegetables like bell peppers, shallots, onions – or add some seasoning of your choice. I love including the original spice blend used when cooking the steaks to infuse that flavor back into the leftovers. This step is totally optional, but it’s not one you want to skip if you’re looking to really enhance your leftovers flavor.

What is the best way to heat up leftover steak?

Although we will be covering all the methods available, using your oven is the best method for reheating steak as it will warm the steak without overcooking it and without drying it out. It is also one of the easier methods of reheating steak.

While the microwave may be the fastest way to reheat your leftover steaks, I can’t recommend it as the best. Microwaving will leave you with a dry and rubbery steak, there’s simply no way to avoid it. The best way to heat up leftover steak is low and slow in the oven.

How to Reheat a Steak in the Oven

The oven method is a simple and easy way to reheat a juicy steak without losing any of the flavor you love. This tried and true method will give you a reheated steak reminiscent of its original glory.

First, let your covered steak rest on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes while preheating the oven to 250-275 degrees. Then, place the whole steak on an oven-safe rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the air to circulate and distribute heat evenly.
Depending on the size of your steak, reheat the meat for 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 110 degrees on a meat thermometer.
Let the steak rest on a plate or cutting board for 10 minutes. Cutting into the steak too soon will set all the juices and flavors free rather than redistributing within the meat, leaving you with a messy countertop and a bland steak.

Reheating A Steak in a Skillet or Pan

If you don’t want to heat up the house or you know the kids won’t make it thirty whole minutes before they turn hangry, skillet reheating is a close second best option for steaks.

Similar to earlier methods, the first step is to remove the steak from your fridge and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to adjust to room temperature.
Then get yourself a pan that has a lid, preferably cast iron – but a stainless steel option will work just fine, and put it over the stove on medium-low heat. Next, add a tablespoon of butter (or olive oil) and heat it for a few minutes.
Let’s say that totally hypothetically your steak is looking a bit dry, no judgment, it happens to the best of us. Splashing a bit of beef stock into the pan for the steak to soak up while cooking will one hundred percent save the day and retain that melt-in-your-mouth steak experience.
Place the steak in the skillet and cook for 60-90 seconds on each side to get a crispy exterior. For each 60-90 second round, cover the pan with a lid once you put the steak inside to prevent the steak from losing its juices and ensure even heat distribution throughout.
You’ll flip the steak a few times to get the perfect texture. The total time in the pan or skillet should be about 5 minutes to reach a food-safe internal temperature of 145ºF.
Finally, remove from heat and let the steak rest for another 5 minutes before serving to keep those flavors and moisture from escaping. Indulge in a little self-care and allow yourself to rest for 5 minutes as well, maybe browse some new recipes or check out the Best Steak Knife Set.

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How to Reheat Steak in the Oven to Stovetop Method

Another favorite method to get that juicy and crispy balance is oven to stovetop. With this method, we combine the best of the oven and stove-top cooking

You already know to rest your steak 5+ minutes out of the fridge before cooking.
First, let your covered steak rest on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes while preheating the oven to 250-275 degrees.
Then, place the whole steak on an oven-safe rack set over a baking sheet. The rack is key to not needing to flip your steak in the oven.
Depending on the size of your steak, reheat the meat for 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 110 degrees on a meat thermometer.
Next, a quick sear in a cast iron skillet will give us a nice crisp edge. To sear the steak, add a tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet and heat it for a few minutes until it’s hot.
The goal of searing is to cook the outside edge quickly on high heat to create a crust while not overcooking the meat. Take the steak out of the oven and put it directly in the skillet. Sear it for a minute or two on each side over medium-high heat taking care not to overcook the meat.
Take the steak off the heat, and let it rest on a plate or cutting board for 10 minutes. Don’t cut into it too soon or you will lose all the juices and flavors we definitely want to keep in the meat.

How to Reheat Steak in an Air Fryer

Air fryers cook very similarly to convection ovens, an internal fan keeps the warm air moving, heating food from all sides and often creating a crisper outer edge – perfect for reheating leftover steaks.

Air fryers cook much more quickly than convection ovens thanks to their smaller size so if you need steaks reheated quickly but want them to still taste great, an air fryer is a top choice for your top sirloin.

Set your steaks out to acclimate.
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
Place the steak into the air fryer and close the drawer.
Air fry for 3 minutes and check the temperature, a larger or thicker steak will need more time to cook through.
Continue cooking for a minute or two and check the temperature until your steak reaches 145 degrees.

How to Reheat Steak Using a Sous Vide Method

Sous vide is French for ‘under vacuum.’ The sous vide method has become more popular lately for its unique cooking style and flavorful impact. It is also one of the least popular methods for reheating food, but it does sound very impressive if you want something to brag about at work next week.

Sous vide is a low-temperature cooking method that will take significantly more effort than conventional reheating methods. In this method, food is placed inside a pouch made of plastic or a glass jar and cooked inside a water bath for long periods at a regulated temperature.

Start by placing your steak in a sous vide bag or sealable freezer bag with a pat of salted butter.
Squeeze out as much air as possible to create a vacuum effect inside the plastic bag and let the steak rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
Next, fill a large stockpot with water or use the sous vide appliance per its instructions. The temperature of the water should be 120 to 130 degrees F. The ideal water temperature is hot enough to make the water steam but not so hot that it simmers.
Double check the bag is sealed and place it into the steaming water, away from the edges, and let it cook for around 5-8 minutes.
Check your meat from time to time and once you think it is warm enough, take out the plastic bag and serve your steak. No need to let it rest using this method, due to the bag locking in all the juices.

How to Reheat in the Microwave

Consider the microwave as a last option when reheating steaks. Microwaving steak meat will very likely result in a dry and tough piece of meat by the nature of how microwaves heat. If a microwave is your only option (why is a breakroom air fryer not standard?) a few tips can help make the difference between a steak that tastes like a boot and one that will still make John in receivables pop his head in to ask what’s cookin’:

Set your steak out for 5-10 minutes to acclimate
Place the steak on a microwave-safe dish
Cover it loosely with a damp (but not dripping wet) paper towel on top to retain moisture.
Set to medium heat (this is key!)
Cook the steak in 30-second intervals, flipping the steak each 30 seconds
Depending on your microwave power, steak size, and thickness the total cook time will range from 90 seconds to 2 minutes.

These tips will help your steak hold onto its juice and flavor and while it won’t be crisp or on par with other reheating methods – it will still be a solid Tuesday lunch.

Is Reheating Steak Safe?

The USDA says absolutely – with a few rules. Your steak is safe to eat as long as:

You properly cooked your steak to a safe temperature (145 degrees) originally and kept it out of the Food Danger Zone.
You properly stored the steaks: wrapped in an airtight container such as plastic wrap or aluminum foil and stored for less than 4 days in a refrigerator.
You reheated the meat to at least 145 degrees in the thickest or innermost section.

How to Reheat Meat Without Drying It Out?

Low and slow is the priority when reheating steaks. Reheating any meat – but especially steaks – too fast or hot will overcook and dry out the meat, and there’s no going back from that. To make your steak extra moist, add a little beef broth before reheating.

What to Do with Leftover Steak

If you got a little carried away on the grill or smoker this weekend, leftover steak can add an easy and flavorful protein to so many meals. From a hearty steak and eggs breakfast, whipped up into quick fajitas, or even tossed into a salad these leftovers are as versatile as they are delicious. When reheated well, even your pickiest kids will love leftover steaks.

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