For best results, cut steak thick, about 4 cm.
Choice cuts for grilling: fillet, rump, sirloin (T-bone and boneless steaks), rib steak.
To grill choice cuts: Have the steak at room temperature. If it has been marinated, dry well. If steak is edged with fat, cut right through fat to lean meat in several places to prevent buckling. Season with salt and pepper but do not salt until after cooking. Brush the steak with melted butter or oil and the grill rack with oil. Grill thick steaks close to high heat under a preheated grill for 1–2 minutes on each side until seared, then lower heat to moderate or move meat further away and continue to cook, turning once, until cooked as desired. If steak is cut thin, grill close to high heat for the whole cooking time.
A steak about 4 cm thick will take 10–15 minutes total cooking time for medium-rare meat; steak 2 cm thick will take 7–10 minutes. Times vary with different cuts and different grills. To test for doneness, see: Meat.
Economical cuts for grilling: Oyster blade, crosscut blade and top round. These are satisfactory if they come from a high-quality young carcass. Tenderness may be promoted by marinating.
To grill economical cuts: Follow same procedure as for grilling choice cuts (above).
Pan-grilled Steak: The following method may be used for both the choice cuts and the economical cuts listed above for grilled steak.
Steak can be pan-grilled for a crusty outside and juicy inside – especially useful if you are not sure of the efficiency of your grill. Use a thick, heavy pan. Heat on high heat for a few minutes, add just enough oil to coat the base and, when it gives off a slight haze, put in the steak. Cook 30–60 seconds on each side, until seared, then lower heat to moderate and continue to cook, turning once, until cooked as desired. When beads of pink juice appear on surface steak is medium-rare. For other ways to test for doneness, see: Meat.