Reverse Sear

[Alix]

OK, I've never done this before. My understanding is that you cook low temp til you reach the doneness you like, pull out of oven and rest the meat then sear the outside. This allows for your entire piece of beef to be the right doneness rather than grades from well done to rare.

Is that correct? Any particular tips or tricks? And if you use this technique regularly I'd love some input. TIA

 

[salt and pepper]

Although , most times it's done on a BBQ you can do it in the oven then finish on the stove in a cast iron pan.
The idea is to heat to about 10 degrees less then finished, then in the pan for browness and doneness.
And yes, it does make a good cut of meat more tender.

 

[Selkie]

For myself, I use a proven combination of time and temperature to cook by, especially steak. Assuming 1" to 1-1/4" I dry pan fry in a smoking hot CI skillet for 3 minutes (do NOT touch before the 3 minutes are through.) Flip using tongs and cook another 3 minutes. Next, for 3 minutes bake in a pre-heated 350 oven, and then remove and let it rest for 3 minutes. You'll then have a perfect medium rare steak with caramel colored crust along the edges. Time can be adjusted based on the thickness, adding one minute for every 1/2".
This formula has always worked for me. Perhaps you like your meat a different doneness. The point I'm trying to make is for you to figure out the formula of time and temperature that works for you, and record it so you can use it again in the future without having to guess.

 

[salt and pepper]

For myself, I use a proven combination of time and temperature to cook by, especially steak. Assuming 1" to 1-1/4" I dry pan fry in a smoking hot CI skillet for 3 minutes (do NOT touch before the 3 minutes are through.) Flip using tongs and cook another 3 minutes. Next, for 3 minutes bake in a pre-heated 350 oven, and then remove and let it rest for 3 minutes. You'll then have a perfect medium rare steak with caramel colored crust along the edges. Time can be adjusted based on the thickness, adding one minute for every 1/2".
This formula has always worked for me. Perhaps you like your meat a different doneness. The point I'm trying to make is for you to figure out the formula of time and temperature that works for you, and record it so you can use it again in the future without having to guess.

Yes, your cooking your steak in a normal fashion, but reverse sear is just the opposite, You bake, then sear.

 

[salt and pepper]

Here is a reverse sear on a rib-eye, the steak was cooked indirect neer coals, then wrapped in beer soaked hay and finished off over direct hot coals.

 

[Zereh]

I just watched this the other night and am definitely going to try it after my next trip to the butcher!


http://youtu.be/GZ4xl7XJM08

 

[CraigC]

Reverse sear is a great technique. The only steaks that we don't cook over a hardwood charcoal fire, are au poivre and palomilla.

 

[msmofet]

OK I bought PRIME cut sirloin (look at that price for prime!!) and wanted it to be perfect. SOOOOOOOOOOO this is what I did.

Prime sirloin steak cooked via reverse searing. I seasoned and let it sit for about 1 hour. Put in 275°F oven for approx. 25 minutes for 2 ½-inch steak till internal temp was 90°F. Then seared on a smoking hot cast iron stovetop grill pan till internal temp was 117°F.

Let me tell you this was FANTASTIC!! I always do my thick prime cut sirloin this way now.

 

[Zereh]

Oh wow, that looks absolutely perfect!!

 

[msmofet]

Thank you Z. That was the first time I did it that way and it was great. I wouldn't use a regular flat pan unless I had to. The grill pan lets the juices drain off so the meat doesn't "steam". Plus you get the grill marks.

 

[Alix]

SELKIE!!! Nice to see you around!

salt and pepper, awesome pics! Thanks. Sounds like this is going to be what I try next.

Msmofet, as always, love the pix. And your endorsement means a lot too. I'm sold. I have a couple of strip loin that I might do. My usual method is 2-2-2-2 on the BBQ then rest on the plate for a few minutes. These striploins are thicker than usual though so I thought reverse sear might be a good thought. I like the indirect on the grill thought. I'll try to remember to take pictures of my experiment. Thanks all!

 

[roadfix]

Reverse searing is commonly done on an outdoor grill. I often do this with thick cuts of steaks. I've also done this with smoking tri tip then searing.