Buzz
Freshly cooked steak is tender and flavorful, but reheating can often make it dry, tough, and less tasty. If you want to enjoy your steak again, try one of these simple reheating methods.
- Preparation time (stovetop): 5 minutes
- Reheating time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
Steps
Reheating Steak on the Stovetop
Take the steak out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to reach room temperature. Leftover meat tastes better when reheated if it’s not too cold. Next, heat a skillet. Place the steak in the pan and drizzle a layer of butter over it. Heat until the meat is warm but not overly hot.
- You can start with high heat initially, but reduce it immediately after adding butter. The meat can lose its flavor quickly, so careful monitoring is essential.
Place leftover steak in a resealable bag. Add your preferred ingredients and seasonings, such as minced garlic, chopped shallots or onions, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Seal the bag tightly, then submerge it in a pot of gently simmering water. Heat for about 4-6 minutes, depending on the steak's thickness, until the meat is warm.
- This method is not ideal for reheating multiple steaks. If reheating for the whole family, it’s better to use a microwave or reheat directly in a frying pan.
Reheat leftover steak in a large skillet and drizzle beef broth over it. Heat until the broth simmers gently, allowing the meat to soak up the flavors and warm through. When serving, slice the steak and pair it with a Hoagie roll or French dip sandwich.
Slice the leftover steak into pieces and stir-fry with your favorite vegetables. Serve the stir-fried steak with hot rice and a side of soy sauce. The hot rice adds warmth and helps preserve the steak’s flavor.
Reheating Steak in the Microwave
Preserve the steak’s flavor by reheating it in the microwave. Place the steak on a microwave-safe tray, drizzle with steak sauce like Italian, Teriyaki, or barbecue sauce, and add a few drops of oil or melted butter. Cover the tray and reheat the steak in the microwave at medium heat.
- Heat only until the steak is slightly warm, checking every few seconds to avoid overcooking, which can dry out the meat. Using medium heat is crucial, as high temperatures can strip the steak of its flavor.
Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes as an alternative method. This lets the fats and juices redistribute, enhancing the flavor. While waiting, preheat the microwave to 80°C.
- Once the microwave reaches the desired temperature, place the steak on a baking tray for 10-12 minutes. This method warms the steak without overheating it. Pair the steak with hot side dishes to maintain the temperature.
Reheating Steak Using Heat and Pan-Searing
Preheat the microwave to 120°C.
Place the steak on a rack inside a baking tray. Heat in the oven for 30 minutes until the internal temperature of the steak reaches 45°C. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Avoid exceeding this temperature to prevent overcooking. Note that reheating time may vary depending on the steak’s thickness.
Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a skillet. While the oil heats, remove the steak from the oven. Pat it dry with a paper towel and set it aside. If the oil starts smoking, it’s ready.
Sear both sides of the steak until crispy and browned. Each side takes about 60-90 seconds to achieve a crispy, golden-brown crust. Turn off the heat and let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- While the steak may not be as juicy as when first cooked, the crispy exterior adds a delightful texture. This method, though more time-consuming than microwaving, results in a more enjoyable dining experience.
Tips
- Leftover steak can be sliced into strips and combined with onions, tomatoes, and peppers for a Fajita-style dish. Squeeze lemon juice over the mixture and serve with Tortilla, sour cream, and Salsa.
- Consider using cold leftover steak as is or cutting it into small pieces to pair with a green salad topped with Feta or blue cheese.
- Chop the steak into small pieces and heat it with canned mushroom soup, fresh mushrooms, chopped onions, a cup of sour cream, salt, and pepper for an improvised Stroganoff. If you have leftover beef gravy, mix it in. Simmer the Stroganoff for 15-20 minutes and serve with hot rice or noodles.
What You'll Need
Oven Method
- Melted butter or oil
- Skillet
- Resealable bag
- Minced garlic
- Chopped onions or shallots
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pot
- Large frying pan
- Beef broth
Microwave Method
- Insulated baking tray with lid
- Steak sauce, Italian sauce, Teriyaki sauce, or barbecue sauce
- Baking tray
Heat and Pan-Searing Method
- Rack
- Baking tray
- Paper towels
- Frying pan
- Oil
- Tongs
