How to Reheat Steak
Follow these steps and you’ll never dry it out.
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By Laura Denby for Food Network Kitchen
Laura is a contributing writer at Food Network.
Cooking steak to perfection is an art that chefs take pride in mastering—whether you like your steak rare, medium or well done, cooking it to an exact temperature takes time and effort. That’s why we think reheating the leftovers should be met with the same level of care and precision. The good news is, once you learn how to reheat steak the right way, you’ll be able to enjoy the leftovers just as much as you enjoyed the original meal. There are a few ways to do it, so read on for more info.
The Best Way to Reheat a Steak
The best way to reheat steak is to cook it in a way that will achieve the same crispy exterior with a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth center. Though there are a lot of different ways to reheat steak, the best way depends on whether you’re reheating a large cut of meat or individual slices. The best way to reheat a piece of steak without drying it out is to first warm it in the oven then sear it in a pan. For smaller pieces of meat or pieces of steak that are already cut up, cooking it quickly on the stovetop might suit you better.
How to Reheat Steak In the Oven
When it comes to reheating thicker cuts of meat, it’s best to do so in the oven.
- Place the steak on a cooling rack. To start, place your steak on a sheet tray that’s lined with a cooling rack. By placing the steak on a rack, you raise it up off the sheet tray, which allows air and heat to circulate from all sides, and any extra bits of fat can drip away rather than pooling underneath the meat.
- Bring the steak to room temperature. Leave it on its rack on the counter as you preheat your oven.
- Bake at a low temperature. Heat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit—the lower, gentler temperature will help reheat the steak from the inside out while maintaining the juices.
- Reheat the steak for about 20 minutes. Place the steak in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that the time needed to reheat will depend on the thickness of your cut of steak.
- Quickly sear the steak. Finally, to recreate the crispy, crunchy crust, heat some neutral oil in a hot pan and sear the steak for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
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How to Reheat Steak On the Stovetop
Depending on the thickness of your meat, cooking it in the oven first might be unnecessary. If you’d like to warm up thinner pieces of steak like skirt steak or flank steak, you can easily do so in one step on the stovetop. This method is particularly useful if you’d like to heat up small bits of steak or already sliced pieces of steak.
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Bring the steak to room temperature. As with the oven method, steak should come to room temperature first to ensure thorough and even heating throughout.
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Heat a skillet over medium. Once steak is at room temperature, heat a skillet over medium heat and drizzle with a neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil or grapeseed oil.
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Briefly sear the steak on both sides. Place the steak in the skillet in one layer, and let cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. If you’re unsure of the doneness, use a meat thermometer to take an internal temperature. Rare steak will read 120 degrees Fahrenheit, medium steak will read 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and well-done will read 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Reheat Steak In the Air Fryer
Air fryers operate much like a convection oven—with air and heat swirling from all sides—so they’re great for heating up steak. Unlike a conventional oven, air fryers cook much faster, so you can reheat in a fraction of the time. The circulating air also helps create a crispy crust. This method works for any kind of steak you’d like to reheat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the steak to the air fryer basket. Place the steak directly in the air fryer basket and close the drawer.
- Air fry for up to 5 minutes. Allow the steak to cook for three to five minutes depending on the size of the cut of meat and add a minute or two for particularly thick pieces.
What to Do with Leftover Steak
Leftover steak is a fantastic ingredient to have on hand for last-minute meals. If you’re looking for a quick and hearty breakfast, warm up a few slices with scrambled eggs for an easy steak and eggs. Pre-sliced steak is also fantastic for easy fajitas (pictured above)—just toss a few pieces in a hot skillet with sliced onions and peppers, then serve with warm tortillas and salsa. Lastly, leftover steak is the secret to dressing up a boring weeknight salad. Whether you eat it up or leave it cold, tossing in a few pieces of steak is an easy way to add protein, flavor and a little indulgence to a bowl of hearty greens.
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