• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Meal Plan
  • Shop
    • Shop Now
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Return Policy
    • My Account
  • Food
  • Family
  • Finances
  • Fundamentals
You are here: Home / Food / How to Cook Steak in a Skillet (on the stove)

by Stacy  4 Comments

How to Cook Steak in a Skillet (on the stove)

how to cook steak in the skillet

I’ll be the first to tell you, cooking steak was never my forte in the kitchen. I had never been good at it – and grilling is also a skill that I haven’t acquired because I don’t spend enough time trying to learn the ins and outs of it. But you always should experiment – and so I set out to learn how to cook steak in a skillet on the stove.

I knew it could be done because my friends did it – and I knew that butter HAD to be the answer. I mean, isn’t butter the answer to most of life’s problems?

Dry? Butter. Tasteless? Butter. Old? Butter. Stuck? Butter.

And while we’re on that topic – can we all agree that REAL butter is way better than the cheap garbage that was made in some chemistry lab or factory? Okay…moving on.

So to Google I went – on my quest to research the elusive steak-at-home perfection! Let me just tell ya – there’s about forty trillion tutorials for this on Google. But let me save you a bunch of time so you can just get to the good stuff. Keep reading. 😉

The Steps to an Amazing Steak in the Skillet:

salt your steak
  1. Remove the steak from the fridge 30-60 minutes before you plan to cook.
  2. Blot the steak with paper towels to give it a dry surface – don’t worry. This does NOT make a dry steak. It makes it easier to sear in the skillet.
  3. Heat a HEAVY skillet over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes with NOTHING in it. Most folks will say cast iron – that’s GREAT but I’ve also had great luck with a heavy stainless steel skillet as well. Use what ya have.
  4. Salt the steak on both sides. That’s it. Don’t add any other seasoning – that comes later.
  5. Add your steak to the skillet and sear for about 1 minute – you’ll know it’s okay to flip when it releases from the skillet and doesn’t stick. 
  6. HERE’S THE KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have to flip each steak every 60 seconds or so. I always used to just leave it – turning it over once. That doesn’t make a nice, tender steak. Flipping regularly until it’s done is better. 

But how do you know when your steak is done?

Personally, I need almost totally well-done. If I cut into a steak and any red juice comes out, then I AM OUT. I can’t eat it. Barry likes a medium steak, and my kids like steak the same as me.

General Cooking Times

Although it depends a lot on the thickness of the steak, here are some general guidelines for how long to cook a steak based on what you want:

  • Rare –> 5-6 minutes
  • Medium –> 8-10 minutes
  • Well done –> 10-12 minutes

This is where you have to pay attention – do not leave your steaks. You’ll lose track of time – or one of your kids will have to go to the bathroom and you’ll forget you’re making steak.

As you’re turning, after about 4 minutes, add a few pats of butter to the skillet. Add the seasonings you want to the BUTTER. Not the steak. Then just make sure your steak is getting into the butter as you flip it. We like the Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute. 

Remove steaks when done. Some folks say to let the steak rest – others say it’s not necessary. I say –> whatever works for you, boo. You do you. 

PERSONALLY, I prefer a piping hot steak. So, I don’ like mine to rest. I like to eat it. Therefore, I make sure everything is ready for the rest of the meal before I start the steaks – they are my 100% focus for about 8-10 minutes. 

Because Barry likes his less done, I remove his steak and cook everyone else’s a few more minutes and I start plating things up at that point.

You might even find that cooking your steaks this way means you don’t need steak sauce – try it and see! 🙂 

how to cook steak on the stove

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X

Other Posts You Might Like

About Stacy

Stacy is a Homemaking and Business Mom Mentor, the author of two cookbooks, creator of multiple e-courses, seasoned life coach, and comedian extraordinaire. Her first priority is her husband and her children - family first. She presses on each day because her calling is to teach, train, and mentor other ladies to have their dreams. She believes if it’s not easy, you won’t do it – because she’s lived it. She’ll bring YOU the awesome so that you can get your home back into control and watch your business soar. For tips and easy strategies, you can follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Comments

  1. Aileen Searles says

    February 18, 2020 at 9:04 am

    Oh my goodness, thank you for this Stacy! My once or twice attempts to fry steak on the stove in the past were complete failures. I’ve always wondered how it can be done successfully. But googling all those tutorials is overwhelming. I’m going to have to try it now. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      February 18, 2020 at 9:51 am

      Report back!!!

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    February 18, 2020 at 7:20 am

    Wow! I’ve never thought to hold the butter for later. That makes sense! Next time we have steaks…

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      February 18, 2020 at 7:32 am

      Yummy!!!

      Reply


Hello! I’m Stacy!

I believe God created you to be the hero of your home. You CAN manage your home instead of it managing you. That’s why I empower women with simple solutions for their homemaking needs – because if it’s not easy, you won’t do it. {Read More…}

As Featured on the Dave Ramsey Show

Stuff You Really Should Check Out

home management course

© 2025 Myers Family Brands LLC · All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...