5 Quick Hacks to Reheat Steak

How to reheat steak?

Wow – that steak you had from the grill or broiler really tasted great at dinner – too bad there was some left over. May as well throw that out, since reheated steak just won’t be the same. It will probably wind up dry, tough, or overcooked.

Wait – there really are ways to revive those flavors and bring them back to life for another meal, without any loss of texture or taste. Here are tips for carnivores to reheat those precious steaks to enjoy as though they were just prepared.

Within minutes, you can be savoring tender and flavorful cuts that are not rubbery or tasteless. For best results, there a few steps you should take to ensure quality.

1. Take Your Time

Chicago Steak has some valuable tips on reheating your steaks for the best results (and they should know). Most problems with reheating pan-seared or grilled steaks are that taking shortcuts or trying to get it on the table as quickly as possible tends to dry out the meat, leaving you with a non-juicy, flavorless hockey puck. Savory steaks are worth the little extra care and attention required for preparation.

An excellent way to transform leftover cuts into a pleasant dining experience is referred to as the reverse sear process.

• Set your oven to 250 degrees (all temperatures are in Fahrenheit)
• Place a wire rack in a baking dish, and place your steaks on the rack
• Place the baking dish with your steaks on the middle rack, once the oven is fully pre-heated
• Using a meat thermometer, leave them in the oven until they reach 100-110 degrees, typically about 20-30 minutes, warming the steaks without additional cooking
• Warm a skillet with some oil or butter, having it ready for when the steaks come out of the oven
• Sear the warmed steaks in the skillet until browned – just a minute or so on each side

Your results – hot, crisp, juicy steaks with all the flavor and tenderness they had when first cooked.

How to Reheat Steak?

2. Stovetop Sous-Vide Method

Another convenient method of reheating your steaks can be done right on the stovetop. This method utilizes a cooking bag and is called the sous-vide style.

• Remove the steaks from the refrigerator, and allow them to reach room temperature (typically about 30 minutes)
• Utilize a bag specifically made for cooking that can take the temperatures of a pan of hot water
• Place your room-temperature steaks in the bag, and squeeze out as much of the air as possible
• For extra flavor, add some seasonings, chopped onions, or a little salt and ground pepper to the bag before heating
• Seal the bag and place it in the pot of water – hot, but not boiling – no more than 140 degrees
• Keep the steaks and bag in the water long enough to heat through – if the steaks are touching the side of the pan, prop them up with tongs or another instrument, so the steaks heat evenly. This should only take about 5-8 minutes

If you prefer, once the steaks come out of the pan, give them a quick sear on each side, to provide that extra touch of freshness.

3. In a Rush? Try the Microwave

Microwaving leftover steaks is certainly not your best alternative for preparation, but when you’re in a hurry and need a quick solution, it can yield respectable results. The key is to plan ahead, and preserve the juices from your steaks in an airtight container or freezer bag, as well as the steaks.

• Place your steaks in a microwave-safe dish, and pour the saved juices over them
• Didn’t plan ahead, and don’t have the juices? Substitute a little steak sauce, light gravy, or even some Italian dressing that you like
• Cover the dish with plastic wrap to keep in all the moisture during cooking
• Set your microwave to a low or medium power, and run it for 30 seconds
• Check your steaks for proper temperature, and apply an additional 30 seconds each time until they reach the desired temperature for serving

Microwaving your steaks for too long will dry them out, so be sure not to over-do it.

4. Other Stovetop Solutions

With a little finesse, there are additional ways you can quickly and easily prepare your leftover steaks on the stovetop:

Place your steaks in a sturdy frying pan, pouring beef broth over the steak. Apply heat until the broth comes to a simmer, allowing it to remain at that temperature until the meat is heated through. You can enjoy the steak as-is, or slice it up for a delicious French dip sandwich, including using the remaining broth as the dipping sauce.

Another method is to place the steaks in a heated skillet, and let some butter drizzle over the top. Keep the butter going over the steak, until the meat is warm, but not overly hot. Meat will lose its flavor quickly in a hot skillet, so keep the heat just low enough to warm the meat, without cooking out the flavor.

 5. Forget Reheating – Slice and Serve

How to reheat steak? Here’s another alternative. Use your tasty steaks as part of a healthy salad dish. Combine mixed greens and other vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and radishes into a bowl with your favorite dressing. Slice your steaks into thin strips to place on top, and you have a great side dish or tasty lunch.

Not in a salad mood? Take the thin slices and stir-fry them with some vegetables, supplementing the mixture with some rice and​​​​​ soy sauce on the side.

Reheating steaks, or nearly any cut of meat can save your food budget while also providing a taste treat that pleases every member of the family.