Steak is one of the most delicious food items out there. And while it tastes oh-so-succulent when barbecued over a hot fire, barbecuing isn’t always an option.
The next best option? A cast iron skillet in the oven.
So what happens when you discover you don’t have a cast iron skillet but want to whip up some juicy steaks for Sunday night dinner?
You don’t toss it into the freezer for another day – you cook steak in the oven without a cast iron skillet, and I’m here to tell you how.
How to Cook Steak in the Oven Without a Cast Iron Skillet – Two Ways
If you’re mouth watering at the thought of juicy, tender steaks greeting your taste buds? Then use one of these top-notch methods for cooking steaks in the oven without a cast iron skillet.
Oh, and before we get started – please make sure to season steaks before using one of these methods!
Whether you’re making a single, small filet mignon or need to cook ribeye steak(s) that are impossibly thick steaks, always season first (olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, etc.).
Also, remove excess fat; nobody wants to gnaw on fatty extras when eating a steak.
1. Baking Sheet + Wire Rack
Many websites will tell you that you can just use a baking sheet. And, well, they’re not wrong.
You can simply plop your thick or thin steaks on the baking sheet and call it a day. However, this will give you sub-par results, and you can’t be sure the steak cooks evenly. Yikes.
Instead, you will want to pair your handy baking sheet with a wire rack. Then, do the following:
- Preheat the oven to 400F. You don’t want to put your thicker or thinner steaks in the oven before it’s adequately preheated.
- Place the wire rack on top of your baking sheet. This will be important, as baking solely on a wire rack can lead to an awful mess at the bottom of your oven.
- Place seasoned steaks on the wire rack. If you’re making more than one strip steak, rib-eye steak, etc., ensure they’re not touching. They need room to cook!
- Cook for about eight to ten minutes (or longer). Keep your steak cooking until it reaches desired doneness. Check with a meat thermometer. (125F is rare meats, 160F is well).
- Let the steak rest for ten minutes before cutting. This will ensure an impossibly tender steak that literally melts in your mouth.
- Enjoy your flavorful steak cooked in the oven without a cast iron skillet!
2. Oven-Safe Skillet or Pan
The other option is to use an oven-safe skillet or pan. This is the ideal option for all types of steaks, including ribeye steaks, tenderloin steak, strip steak, and t-bone steak – you get the picture!
This option is recommended because you can get a beautiful caramelization on the outside, just like any fancy restaurant. Here’s how.
- Preheat the oven to 400F. This is one of the most straightforward cooking tips to remember. Always preheat your oven before you do anything else!
- Heat pan over medium-high heat until sizzling. Check that the pan (essentially a hot skillet) is ready for action by pouring a teaspoon of water into the pan. If it evaporates and sizzles, it’s ready to go.
- Season steak. When using this method for cooking steak, you want to ensure enough olive oil to create the caramelization. Be generous with the application!
- Place pre-cut steaks into the hot pan and cook steak for five minutes. This will allow plenty of time for the tasty crust to form.
- Flip over and place inside of the oven. You don’t need to wait for the other side to form a crust. A single side on your prime or choice-grade meat is fine!
- Cook for around eight to ten minutes. Again, cooking time will vary depending on the desired internal temperature. Check the steak’s temperature with an oven meat thermometer. Thicker steaks may require more time (rib-eye and other thick-cut steaks).
- Rest for ten minutes. Whether you have thinner or thicker cuts, allowing the meat to rest will ensure a perfect steak with maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Enjoy your steak dinner made in the oven without a cast iron skillet! Don’t forget to eat your delicious steak with crowd favorites like green salad, macaroni, potatoes, and asparagus!
FAQs
Can you cook a steak without a cast iron skillet?
You can definitely be successful cooking steak without a cast iron skillet!
You can use the oven if desired and use one of the methods above.
However, you can also nix the oven and cook ribeye steak and other favorite steaks without oven cooking.
To do this, simply sear the steaks on each side for two minutes using a frying pan over medium-high.
Then, reduce to medium-low heat and cook steaks on the nonstick pan until they’ve reached the desired temperature.
Let them rest on a paper towel before slicing and digging into your perfectly cooked steak!
Can you cook a steak in the oven without pan searing it first?
Yes, you can cook rib-eye steaks and other steaks without searing them first (and without any cast iron skillets!).
Of course, you won’t end up with the delectable crispy crust that searing creates, but you can still cook juicy meat everyone loves.
To do this, you will want to utilize the first method mentioned above. Simply put the steaks on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet properly, cook steak in the oven, and rest before consuming. Yum!
You can turn the steak halfway through to encourage more crisping on your simple cooked steak.