How To Cook A Steak On Charcoal Grill

Whether you’re hosting a barbecue and want to impress your guests or improve your grilling abilities, knowing how to cook steak on a charcoal grill is crucial. Fortunately, it is simple to recreate the mouth-watering and robust flavors of steak on a charcoal barbeque. This article, will explain how to cook a steak on charcoal grill.

How To Cook A Steak On Charcoal Grill

I will describe simple methods for charcoal grilling the perfect steak.

1. Prepare The Charcoal Grill

Select an appropriate location for your charcoal grill. To ensure safety and proper ventilation, grilling outdoors in a well-ventilated area is crucial.
Ensure the grill is free of old charcoal and residue from previous grilling sessions.
Allow air to circulate into the charcoal by opening the bottom vents of the grill to promote even burning. To facilitate access to the cooking area, remove the grill’s cover.

2. Start The Charcoal

Fill a chimney starter with the quantity of charcoal briquettes you desire. The quantity depends on the size of your barbeque and the desired heat intensity.
The chimney starter should be placed on the barbecue grates.
Under the chimney starter, place some crumpled newspaper or fire starter cubes and ignite them. The flames will ignite the charcoal progressively. Allow approximately 15 to 20 minutes for the charcoal to heat and turn gray with ash.

3. Arrange The Charcoal

Once the charcoal briquettes have become ash-gray, place them gingerly on one side of the grill. This creates two distinct heat zones on your grill: a heated zone of direct heat and a cooler zone of indirect heat. These zones will be used for various phases of cooking.

4. Preheat The Grill

Place the grill grate on top of the charcoal and allow it to heat for a few minutes. Preheating not only sterilizes the grates but also aids in preventing sirloin from sticking when placed on the grill.
If the grates have residue from previous use, clear them with a grill brush.

5. Prepare The Steak

Take the steak out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature while you heat up the grill. So, the steak will be cooked evenly.
Coat the steak lightly on both sides with cooking oil to keep it from sticking and help it get a beautiful brown.
Salt and pepper the steak liberally, or use your preferred seasoning blend. As some of the seasoning will be lost during grilling, feel free to use a generous amount.

6. Searing The Steak

Place the steak over the heated charcoal directly in the grill’s direct heat zone. The steak will sizzle as it makes contact with the heated grates.
Sear the steak for approximately two to three minutes per side or until grill marks and a flavorful crust have formed. The direct zone’s intense heat will produce a gorgeous caramelization on the steak’s exterior.

7. Change To Indirect Heating

After searing, transfer the steak to the grill’s milder, indirect heat zone.
This area does not come into direct contact with the charcoal. Here, the steak will be cooked more slowly and uniformly.

8. Cook until doneness is desired:

It is essential to have a meat thermometer to monitor the steak’s internal temperature accurately. Insert the thermometer probe into the steak’s thickest portion.

Refer to the following temperature recommendations for different degrees of doneness:

Rare: 49-52°C (120-125°F).
The middle range Rare: 54-57°C (130-135°F).
Medium: 60-63°C (140-145°F)
Medium Well: 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit (66-68 degrees Celsius).
Well Done: 160°F or higher (71°C).

Consider that grilling times will vary depending on the steak’s thickness, the grill’s temperature, and even the weather. Steaks cooked to a medium-rare temperature may require 5-7 minutes per side but rely on the thermometer for precision.

9. Rest Your Steak

When you want the steak to be done, please take it off the grill and put it on a clean plate or cutting board.
Allow the steak to rest, tenting it loosely with foil for a few minutes. Resting permits the meat’s fluids to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and flavorful steak.

10. Cut And Serve

After resting, use a pointed knife to cut the steak against the grain. Tenderness is enhanced by slicing against the grain.
Enjoy your flawlessly grilled steak with your preferred side dishes. Enjoy your flawlessly grilled steak with your preferred side dishes.

Leftover

Make steak salads, sandwiches, wraps, steak and eggs, stir-fries, tacos, quesadillas, and cold platters with leftover grilled sirloin. Alternatively, use it to make sirloin fried rice, hash, or topping for baked potatoes or loaded fries. Reheat gently to preserve its flavor and tenderness.

Tips

Here are some tips for charcoal grilling the perfect steak:

Select the Correct Steak: Choose a steak cut with excellent marbling, such as ribeye, sirloin, or filet, for flavor and tenderness.
Prep and Season: Allow the steak to come to room temperature before seasoning generously with salt, pepper, or your chosen seasonings.
Preheat the Grill: Before placing the steak on the barbecue, the charcoal should be ash-gray for even cooking and beautiful grill marks.
Oil the Grates: Brush the grates with oil or use a paper towel saturated with oil to prevent food from adhering.
Create Two Heat Zones: To control cooking, create a heated, direct heat zone and a cooler, indirect heat zone on the grill.
Sear First: To create a flavorful crust, sear the steak over high fire for a few minutes per side.
Use a Meat Thermometer: To accomplish the desired level of doneness, monitor the steak’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
Avoid Frequent Flipping: The sirloin should be flipped only once to ensure proper searing and doneness during cooking.
Rest the Steak: Allow the sirloin to rest a few minutes after grilling to retain its juices and tenderness.
Slice Against the Grain: For optimal tenderness, slice the steak against the grain when serving.

Benefits

Using a charcoal barbecue to grill steak has several benfits:

Exceptional Flavor: Charcoal grilling imparts a distinctive smoky flavor to the steak, augmenting its taste and appeal.
Crispy Crust: High heat on a charcoal grill causes the Maillard reaction, a crust, to form on the sirloin, adding texture and flavor.
Even Cooking: Properly arranged charcoal zones permit precise temperature control, ensuring even and comprehensive cooking.
Versatility: Charcoal grills are versatile and can accommodate numerous steak cuts and varieties.
Entertaining Experience: Charcoal grilling is a fun social activity for gatherings and cookouts.
Minimal Equipment: You only need a grill, charcoal, and a few simple instruments to get started, making it accessible to many.
Healthier Cooking: Grilling enables excess fat to drip off the steak, resulting in a leaner, healthier meal.