How To Reheat Steak (4 Easy Methods)

Are you looking for the best way to reheat steak?

You’re in the right place!

In this TheGrillingDad.com guide, you’ll learn:

Is reheating steak bad for you?
How should you store it?
How to reheat steak without drying it out
And much more!

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How to Reheat Steak

It is very easy to overcook a steak when reheating it if you are not careful.

It can go from medium rare to well done in just a few minutes.

You’ve found the right guide if you want to avoid ruining your steak. Keep reading and we’ll guide you through several techniques to reheat steak, so you can enjoy its savory taste even the second time around!

Tips For Reheating Steak

To ensure that your steak stays juicy and tender, follow the below-mentioned tips and apply them during the reheating process:

Avoid reheating the steak straight from your fridge. Not letting it sit out is the most common mistake people make when it comes to reheating food in general. Heating cold meat increases the chances of overcooking it and drying it out. Patience and proper understanding are the keys here. This will ensure adequate cooking and let the food items retrieve their original flavor.
Heat low, heat slow. As the phrase suggests, the key to reheating success is heating food slowly over a low yet steady flame. If you rush the process, you might end up with dry and rubbery meat, which will be difficult to chew and have none of its original flavors. Even if you’re using a microwave, make sure it is on 50 percent power or lower.
Sear your steak. Now, this method is optimum for whole pieces of steak, but not for cubed pieces or sliced steak. In order to give your steak a texture that is similar to a freshly cooked one, consider reheating it by giving it a quick sear with vegetable or olive oil. This adds extra flavor to the meat if it has already lost its juices.
Give your steak a resting period. Before consuming the reheated steak, make sure you allow it to rest for 3-5 minutes. This assures that the meat retains its juices and regains the same original flavor.
Add some extras. When reheating your steak, you can add chopped vegetables such as shallots, onions, carrots, etc., or add some seasoning of your choice. This is optional, but it won’t hurt to try this if you want to enhance its flavor.

Read More >> How to Cook Steak On a Griddle

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Is There a Right Way to Reheat Steak?

As we all know, steak is one of the most delicious yet expensive items on a menu. This makes it highly important for us to ensure that none of it goes to waste.

However, everyone has their own eating limits. There are times when, despite eating on an empty stomach, you feel full and need to save the steak for later. Because let’s admit tossing out such a delicious item is never an option.

The proper way to reheat a steak is to make sure that its texture and flavor are maintained.

Whether you’re using a skillet or an oven, the key is to make sure you reheat the steak correctly. Otherwise, it can lose its flavor and become tough and chewy.

There are various ways to reheat steak without compromising its exceptional flavor. Here are the best options:

Oven
Skillet or pan
Sous Vide
Microwave

What is the Best Method for Reheating 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.

How to Reheat Steak (4 Methods)

Method 1: How to Reheat a Steak in the Oven

The oven method is a great way to reheat a juicy steak without losing its flavor. This method is not as straightforward as others; however, it’s pretty easy to execute and should provide an outstanding result every time.

Let the steak get close to room temp
Preheat the oven to 250-275°F
Place the steak on a wire rack
Let it reheat for 20-30 minutes
Sear the steak (optional, but recommended)
Let it rest for a few minutes

Step1: Let the steak get close to room temp

Take the steak out of the refrigerator and allow it to come close to room temperature while it rests on the kitchen shelf.

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 250-275°F

Preheat the oven to around 250-275 degrees Fahrenheit. This will create the optimum temperature for reheating the steak properly.

Step 3: Place the steak on a wire rack

Get a big baking sheet and place a wire cooling rack over it. This is necessary for reheating the meat as cooking on a cooling rack allows air to circulate the steak and distribute heat evenly.

Step 4: Let it reheat for 20-30 minutes

Now you have to place the steak over the cooling rack, heat it in the oven for approximately 20-30 minutes. The time will depend entirely upon the thickness and size of the steak.

Step 5: Sear the steak

You may opt to sear the steak afterward to make the outside slightly crisp if you prefer it. It is unnecessary; however, it wouldn’t hurt to go a little extra mile for better taste.

To sear it appropriately, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and heat it for a few minutes. Take the steak out of the oven and put it in the skillet. Sear it for a minute or two on each side over medium-high heat. Keep flipping it until it has the desired texture.

Step 6: Let it rest for a few minutes

Switch off the heat and let the steak rest for a few minutes before serving.

Method 2: Reheating A Steak in a Skillet or Pan

Now, if you’re looking to do things the old-fashioned way, this is the best method.

In our opinion, you’ll get the best out of your leftover steak by reheating it this way!

Let your steak get to room temp
Put your skillet or pan on med-low heat with oil
Optionally, add beef stock
Put your steak in for 60-90 seconds on each side with the lid on
Let it rest for about 5 minutes

Step 1: Let your steak get to room temperature

Similar to earlier methods, the first step is to remove the steak from your fridge and let it sit outside for several minutes so that it adjusts to room temperature.

Step 2: Put your skillet or pan on medium to low heat with oil

Get yourself a pan, preferably nonstick, and put it over the stove on medium-low heat. You can use a cast-iron skillet, too, if you have one handy.

Next, add a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil to the pan and let it heat for a few minutes.

Step 3: Add beef stock

If you think the steak does not have leftover juices or is too dry, you can add a splash of beef stock.

If your steak is still juicy or you don’t have beef stock around, consider adding a bit of butter to add some moisture and flavor.

Step 4: Put your steak in for 60-90 seconds on each side with the lid on

Once the oil starts smoking, place the steak inside and cook for almost 60-90 seconds on each side to get a crispy exterior yet soft to chew.

For each 60-90 second round, cover the pan with a lid once you put the steak inside.

You’ll flip the steak a few times to get the perfect texture. Total time in the pan or skillet should be about 5 minutes.

Pro Tip >> Placing a cover on top will prevent the steak from losing its juices and ensure even heat distribution throughout.

Step 5: Let it rest for about 5 minutes

Finally, turn off the heat and let the steak rest for another 5 minutes before serving. This will allow it to retain its juices and taste better.

Method 3: How to Reheat Steak Using a Sous Vide Method

Sous vide is French for ‘under vacuum.’ The sous vide method is one of the least popular but is effective in reheating food.

Sous vide is also a low-temperature cooking method that takes relatively longer 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. This method is as effective for reheating steak as it is for cooking it.

Here are the steps on how to do it:

Put your leftover steak in a sealable plastic bag
Add a dab of salted butter and squeeze out the air
Fill a pot with water and heat to 120-130°F
Put your bag into the steaming water for about 6-8 minutes

Step 1: Put your leftover steak in a sealable plastic bag

To start reheating steak using this method, you need first to get yourself a sealable plastic bag and put your leftover steak in it. Make sure you let the steak rest for a few minutes to adjust to room temperature.

Step 2: Add a dab of salted butter and squeeze out the air

Put a small dab of salted butter in the bag for better flavor. Now squeeze out as much air as possible to create a vacuum effect inside the plastic bag.

Step 3: Fill a pot with water and heat to 120-130°F

Next, you will need to fill a pot with water or use a sous vide appliance as per its instructions. The temperature of the water should be approximately 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

This temperature is hot enough to make the steam boil out of the water.

Pro Tip >> The water should not simmer in this process.

Step 4: Put your bag into the steaming water for about 6-8 minutes

Once the steak is inside the plastic bag, put the bag into the steaming water, away from the edges, and let it cook for around 6-8 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.

Method 4: How to Reheat in the Microwave (Quickest Method)

When reheating a steak, the biggest mistake you can make is using high heat. It is easy to throw your food in the microwave and forget about it for a couple of minutes.

However, you can not treat your delicious steak the same way.

Carelessly microwaving a steak will not only cause it to dry out, but it will also make it leathery and chewy. This is because all the fats will get seized due to quick overheating.

Microwaving steak is a step-by-step process. You should not rush anything, no matter how hungry you are. Plus, it is important to be thorough if you intend to get the best out of your leftover steak.

Understandably, microwaving is supposed to be a quick, effective way of reheating food. Nevertheless, patience is critical when it comes to steak.

Following are some tips to ensure your steak stays delicious after reheating:

Let the steak sit in room temperature for about 20-30 minutes
Set your microwave to medium heat
Microwave your steak for 30 seconds then flip, repeat

Step 1: Let the steak sit in room temperature for about 20-30 minutes

You should first take out the steak from the fridge and leave it out on the counter to adjust back to room temperature. This should take approximately 20-30 minutes, so you can do other stuff in the meantime while waiting.

Step 2: Set your microwave to medium heat

Set your microwave to medium heat and place your steak on a microwave-safe plate.

We highly recommend loosely placing a slightly damp paper towel on top of the meat to ensure the steak does not dry out.

Step 3: Microwave your steak for 30 seconds then flip, repeat

Cook the steak in short time intervals, ideally 30 seconds. Keep flipping it between intervals to allow even heat distribution and prevent overcooking the meat.

Continue this process for approximately 2-3 minutes or until it’s cooked to your preference. The cooking time of steak depends on the size and thickness of your steak and your microwave’s power.

This process will reheat the steak evenly and retain the juicy flavor as before. The steak might not be as crisp as it was initially but will still make a pretty good case.

How to Save Steak

It would be best to make sure that the steak is preserved carefully in the first place. This helps ensure all the flavor is preserved for when you decide to reheat it.

You need to ensure that it is refrigerated in its original packaging until you decide to use it. For unopened and raw steak, the vital point is to make sure the packaging is airtight. If not, you need to replace the packaging with an airtight container or plastic bag yourself.
The best way to extend the stake’s life is to store it in your freezer. You may wrap it in plastic packaging or aluminum foil, whichever is available at hand. This is to make sure that your steak stays safe from freezer burn.
If stored correctly, raw steak can preserve its taste and flavor for as long as 6 to 12 months.
In the case of cooked steak, the preservation method is more or less the same. The steak needs to be wrapped in an airtight container such as plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will make it last for 3 to 4 days easily without affecting its original taste or leftover juices.

If it is Reheated, is Steak Still Good For You?

Steak has the same nutritional benefits, whether freshly cooked or reheated.

Steaks, especially lean cuts, are a protein-rich food source, healthier than conventional food items. A steak fulfills your daily protein requirement and is an excellent source of iron and other micronutrients that the body needs to function correctly.

Not only this, several studies have shown that steak, being red meat, can prove to be highly beneficial for your physical and mental health.

In one independent study, scientists identified that women with less consumption of red meat showed more signs of dysthymia and major depressive disorder than those consuming the daily recommended amount of 65g to 100g.

Is Reheating Food Unhealthy?

Debates on this topic have been going on for a prolonged period. People want to determine if reheated food has the same nutritional benefits as freshly cooked food or not.

Some experts believe that one should avoid consuming reheated foods because of the chemical changes that occur during the process. These often lead to food-borne diseases or food poisoning.

But, if appropriately preserved, your food should stay fresh for longer and be perfectly fine to reheat it as long as it was cooked thoroughly.

And if you’d rather cook up a new steak, check out our smoked t-bone recipe!

If you want to learn more about grilling, check out these other helpful resources!