Mouth-Watering Beef Steak: A Simple Guide to Choosing and Cooking Steak

Do you know what kind of steak to buy?

And once you bring it home, do you know exactly how to cook it?

If you're anything like me, there are plenty of nights when I want a good steak without making dinner into a huge project.

I want it to be easy, quick, and delicious.


With this Seasonal Guide to Farm Food, you can have excellent local meals too

 

Mia told me she buys the same steak every time just because she’s not sure how different steaks will turn out.

That's why I created the SVTFarm Beef Steak Guide.

Here you’ll find qualities about our steaks so that you’re ready to pick what’s right for you and cook it with confidence.

Mouth-Watering Beef Steak Guide

You don't have to be a steak expert.

I used to think you had to be a grillmaster to make a good steak.

There are different types: Filet. Strip. Ribeye. Sirloin. Tenderloin.

Which one is best for me?

The good news is that you don't need to memorize every cut.

Start with the meal you want to make.

Then match the right steak to fit.

Choose your steak by what you're making

Types of steaks have different characteristics, and knowing what you want to do with them makes the choice much easier.

Are you cooking a quick weeknight dinner?

Feeding several people?

Making a special dinner for two?

Cooking for kids who want every bite to be the same?

New York Strip is pretty uniform and slices into consistent pieces. It’s great for sharing and when you're trying to get dinner on the table and want something everyone can eat easily.

And if you've ever noticed that your own food is cold by the time you've finished getting everyone else's plates ready, you know why easy-to-serve food matters.

Steak can be simple

1. Get an instant-read thermometer.

This is the simplest way to take the guesswork out of cooking steak.

2. Let the steak come toward room temperature.

About 30 minutes is a good starting point. This step is optional, but I find it’s useful in creating the perfect grilled steak flavor.

3. Pat it dry.

Place the steak on a plate and pat both sides dry.

4. Season it.

Salt and pepper are enough for a good steak. For variations, add your favorite seasoning, glaze, or marinade.

5. Grill, broil, or fry.

Cook the steak to the temperature you prefer.

As a general guide:

  • Rare: 120–125°F

  • Medium rare: 130–135°F

  • Medium: 140–145°F

  • Medium well: 150–155°F

  • Well done: 160–165°F

Remember that the temperature will continue to rise somewhat 5-15 degrees while the steak rests.

6. Let it rest.

Remove the steak from the heat, loosely cover or tent it with foil, and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Make the steak fit the occasion

One of the things I love about steak is how flexible it can be.

A steak can be a quick Tuesday night dinner.

It can be dinner on the grill, enjoying a beautiful evening.

It can be a simple meal for two.

Or it can be part of a larger celebration.

For a quick, intimate dinner

Tenderloin, or filet mignon, is a beautiful choice.

These steaks are small, tender, quick to cook, and well suited to individual portions.

I like to cook them last, right before serving, so they arrive at the table at the perfect temperature with mouth-watering aromas.

They're small and extravagant, so I reserve them for more intimate meals instead of a crowd.

For a larger special meal

If you're feeding more people and want that same feeling of a special tenderloin dinner, consider reserving a whole tenderloin roast.

Whole tenderloins are special-ordered in advance and provide the centerpiece for an extravagant celebration.


Make the most of what you buy

Steak costs more per pound than ground beef and other cuts.

There are limited numbers of these specialty pieces.

So I think about value differently.

The best value isn't always the lowest price per pound.

It's buying the right thing for the meal you want to make—and knowing how to use it.

A smaller, tender steak that cooks quickly can be exactly what you need on a busy evening.

A larger roast can make sense when you're feeding a group.

And a different cut might be the better choice when you're looking for something to grill, slice, or turn into another meal.

With your steak guide, I've already done some of the thinking for you.


Now you know steak

Without becoming a butcher, chef, or memorizing every type.

Useful guidelines for making delicious, mouth-watering steak.

That's what the SVTFarm Beef Steak Guide is for.

Use it to learn:

  • what makes them different

  • how to choose the right steak

  • how to cook it with confidence

Then try something new.

Grill it.

Pan-fry it.

Serve it with whatever is fresh from the garden.

Make it the centerpiece of dinner.

Or keep it simple with a good steak, a salad, and something cold to drink.


You want to eat good steak. I'll help you know which one to choose and how to make it work for your life.


And that's really what I want for you when you bring home food from SVTFarm:

Know what you bought.
Know what to do with it.
And enjoy the meal.

Ready to try a different steak?

The SVTFarm Beef Steak Guide will help you choose with confidence.

And when you're ready for your next steak, you can find what's available in the SVTFarm Farm Store.