• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The FreshDirect Blog

Recipes and news from the northeast's leading online grocer.

  • Recipes
  • Producer Stories
  • FreshDirect News
  • Sustainability
  • Eat With The Season
  • Shop
  • Show Search
Hide Search

How To Cook Steak For A Special Meal

Miki Kawasaki · December 17, 2020 ·

Having a smaller gathering for the holidays and don’t want to commit to a large roast or centerpiece? There are plenty of low-effort ways to make a special and celebratory meal for the occasion. At FreshDirect, when we want to treat ourselves to a restaurant-quality dinner at home, we look to the meat section for a nice cut of beef. All it really needs is some salt, pepper, and a sear in a hot pan before it’s ready to carve up and savor.

The cuts of beef that typically come to mind when recreating the steakhouse at home are the rib-eye and the strip, which are loved for their big flavor and good distribution of marbled fat. For something leaner with a distinct tenderness, filet mignon is the way to go. And for a budget-friendly option that gives great value for your buck, you can always look to the reliable balance of sirloin, or the robust meatiness of the hanger, skirt, or flank. 

In addition to the beef, you’ll want to have some freshly-ground pepper, good sea salt, and a neutral, high smoke point oil (I.e. vegetable oil). Also, make sure you have a sturdy, heavy-bottomed pan for cooking in—cast iron is ideal. Your typical aluminum sauté pan is too flimsy to retain heat, making it difficult to get the sear you want. 

If you want, you can serve your steak with butter and fresh herbs, or a sauce to amp up the moistness and flavor—we’ve got a few recipes for that here. And on the side, a simple salad or potatoes of any sort (including and especially French fries). 

Ready to cook? Here are the basic steps:


Basic Steak Recipe

What You’ll Need

Any cut of steak
Coarse sea salt
Freshly-ground black pepper
Neutral cooking oil

What To Do:

If using thicker steaks (1” or more), preheat the oven to 400 F for cooking to desired doneness as needed.

Heat a cast-iron or other heavy-bottomed, oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. While pan is heating, season steak all over generously with salt and pepper. 

When you’re ready to cook, add the steaks to the pan—if you’re cooking multiple servings, only add as many as can fit with plenty of space; cook the rest in batches. Sear the steaks without disturbing until browned and seared on bottom, about 5 minutes for most (you may want to reduce the time for thinner steaks). Flip and cook on other side until seared, about 5 minutes more. 

If you want to cook your steaks further at this point, transfer the pan to the oven—you can gauge doneness using a meat thermometer; medium is 145 F. Once finished, let the steaks rest under a layer of kitchen foil for at least 5 minutes. Cut or slice against the natural grain of the meat. Garnish with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs, or drizzle with sauce as desired.

Filed Under: Dinner, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: beef, meat, steak

Primary Sidebar

Search

Browse Posts

Read More

Get Social With FreshDirect

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram

@FreshDirect On Instagram

View on Instagram
Summer calls for seafood. A shrimp & clam boil may be the perfect way to celebrate the season. A boil featuring fresh shellfish is a super easy way to enjoy all your favs in one dish. 

Here’s how it’s done: 
Cut an onion into quarters. Halve a head of garlic horizontally. Add 1 1/2 inches of water to a stock pot, followed by onion, garlic, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning. Bring to a boil on the stove. Once boiling, add one bag of whole, small potatoes (such as Blushing Belle). Let cook a couple minutes. In the meantime, cut 2 andouille sausages (or more, if you like) into 1 1/2-inch pieces, then add to boiling pot. Cut 4 ears corn into smaller segments and add to pot. Continue to boil for another 5 minutes. Gather 2 lb shrimp (preferably shell-on), 1 dozen clams and 1 lb mussels. Toss seafood with a few drizzles of neutral oil and 1 tbsp Old Bay. Add to pot, cover, and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest 1 minute before transferring to a platter for serving. Season with more Old Bay, if you like.
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
Summer calls for seafood. A shrimp & clam boil may be the perfect way to celebrate the season. A boil featuring fresh shellfish is a super easy way to enjoy all your favs in one dish. Here’s how it’s done: Cut an onion into quarters. Halve a head of garlic horizontally. Add 1 1/2 inches of water to a stock pot, followed by onion, garlic, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning. Bring to a boil on the stove. Once boiling, add one bag of whole, small potatoes (such as Blushing Belle). Let cook a couple minutes. In the meantime, cut 2 andouille sausages (or more, if you like) into 1 1/2-inch pieces, then add to boiling pot. Cut 4 ears corn into smaller segments and add to pot. Continue to boil for another 5 minutes. Gather 2 lb shrimp (preferably shell-on), 1 dozen clams and 1 lb mussels. Toss seafood with a few drizzles of neutral oil and 1 tbsp Old Bay. Add to pot, cover, and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest 1 minute before transferring to a platter for serving. Season with more Old Bay, if you like.
10 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Our interns help make FreshDirect great! We’re celebrating all that they do and wishing them a bright future.
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
Our interns help make FreshDirect great! We’re celebrating all that they do and wishing them a bright future.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Mezze foods are an assortment of eastern Mediterranean snacks like stuffed grape leaves, olives, pita bread, and hummus.

Use the link in our bio to treat yourself by using our freshest ingredients to build your own mezze platter.
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
Mezze foods are an assortment of eastern Mediterranean snacks like stuffed grape leaves, olives, pita bread, and hummus. Use the link in our bio to treat yourself by using our freshest ingredients to build your own mezze platter.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
It’s Love Local month here at FreshDirect. All through August, we’ll be featuring local partners in support of businesses committed to bringing incredible flavors to our communities and neighborhoods.

Show some love by shopping your favorite local brands on our site! ❤️
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
It’s Love Local month here at FreshDirect. All through August, we’ll be featuring local partners in support of businesses committed to bringing incredible flavors to our communities and neighborhoods. Show some love by shopping your favorite local brands on our site! ❤️
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
from one proud BX resident to another, it was an honor to take part in the special tradition that is @yankees Old-Timer’s Day 🗽⚾️ #repbx
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
from one proud BX resident to another, it was an honor to take part in the special tradition that is @yankees Old-Timer’s Day 🗽⚾️ #repbx
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Ready for lobster season🦞? Our very own Senior Merchant Mike is here to show you how to prepare the most delicious Maine lobster for the summer.

Head over to FreshDirect.com to take advantage of our Lobster Party Sale!
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
Ready for lobster season🦞? Our very own Senior Merchant Mike is here to show you how to prepare the most delicious Maine lobster for the summer. Head over to FreshDirect.com to take advantage of our Lobster Party Sale!
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
✨ magic in the Hamptons with @casadelsoltequila ✨
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
✨ magic in the Hamptons with @casadelsoltequila ✨
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Chill. Crack. Sip. Ahh. These beers and seltzers are super flavorful, easy to enjoy, and perfect for making any summer day a bit of a celebration.
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
Chill. Crack. Sip. Ahh. These beers and seltzers are super flavorful, easy to enjoy, and perfect for making any summer day a bit of a celebration.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
With a little bit of summer in every bite, s’mores make the perfect backyard treat this season. In five simple steps, these s’mores bites are an easy, fun option to enjoy.

1. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring often.
2. Break up your graham crackers into bite sized pieces and put them in rows on the parchment paper.
3. Place a marshmallow on each graham cracker.
4. Spoon the melted chocolate sauce on top of the marshmallows and graham crackers until they are engulfed in chocolaty goodness.
5. Pop the baking tray into the freezer for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate is hardened.

Stock up on everything you need to create this chocolatey, gooey masterpiece.
@freshdirect
@freshdirect
•
Follow
With a little bit of summer in every bite, s’mores make the perfect backyard treat this season. In five simple steps, these s’mores bites are an easy, fun option to enjoy. 1. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring often. 2. Break up your graham crackers into bite sized pieces and put them in rows on the parchment paper. 3. Place a marshmallow on each graham cracker. 4. Spoon the melted chocolate sauce on top of the marshmallows and graham crackers until they are engulfed in chocolaty goodness. 5. Pop the baking tray into the freezer for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate is hardened. Stock up on everything you need to create this chocolatey, gooey masterpiece.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9