Reheat Steak

While freshly-cooked steak is tender and flavorful, reheating the steak is a different matter, as reheating often results in dry, rubbery, flavorless meat. If you want to enjoy your steak just as much the second time around, try one of these several easy methods for reheating.

  • Prep time (Stove-top): 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 5 minutes
  • Total time: 10 minutes

Steps

Reheat Steak on a Stove Top

  1. Remove the steak from the refrigerator and set it on the kitchen counter to warm for a few minutes. Leftover meat tastes better when heated from room temperature. Heat a skillet or sauté pan. Place the steak in the skillet, and drizzle butter over the top. Heat until the meat is warm but not hot.
    • It may be easiest to turn the heat up initially -- but as soon as you get that butter going, bring it back down. The meat loses its flavor remarkably quickly, so be attentive to it.
  2. Place your leftover steak in a zip-close bag. Add ingredients and seasonings of your choice, such as minced garlic, chopped onions or shallots and salt and freshly ground black pepper. Seal the bag securely, then place the sealed bag in a saucepan filled with simmering water. Heat until the meat is hot, about 4 to 6 minutes, depending on the thickness.
    • This method isn't great if you have more than one steak to reheat. If you have a family waiting for leftovers, you'd be better off sticking them in the oven for a bit or directly using a frying pan.
  3. Heat leftover steak in a heavy frying pan and cover it with beef broth. Turn the heat up until the broth simmers, then allow the meat to simmer in the broth until it is thoroughly heated. Eat as is, or slice it for use in a hoagie roll or a French dip sandwich.
  4. Cut leftover steak into pieces, then stir fry with your favorite vegetables. Serve the stir fry with hot rice and soy sauce on the side. Since the rice is hot, it'll mask any pieces of steak that are only warm, preserving their flavor.

Reheat Steak in an Oven

  1. Maintain the flavor of a juicy steak by reheating it in a microwave oven. Place the meat in a microwavable dish, then drizzle a small amount of steak sauce, Italian dressing, teriyaki or barbecue sauce over the top, along with a few drops of oil or melted butter. Cover the dish, then warm the steak on your microwave's medium setting.
    • Heat until just barely hot, checking every few seconds, as overcooking will dry the meat. Using your microwave's medium setting is important here -- if it's on high (which is normal), it'll ruin the flavor.
  2. As an alternative method, let the steaks come to room temperature for about 30-45 minutes. This allows the fat and juices to bloom and open back up and the flavor to reignite. While you're waiting for this, preheat your oven to 175°F (80°C).
    • When your oven reaches temperature, put those puppies in for about 10-12 minutes on a rimmed baking sheet. This will warm them, not cook them. Combine them with hot side dishes to keep up the temperature.

Reheat Steak with the Heating & Searing Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
  2. Set your steaks on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Place them in the oven for about 30 minutes until they reach 110°F (43°C) at their center. Use a good meat thermometer for this part.
    • Make sure they don't get hotter than this! Otherwise they'll start cooking. And note that timing will vary depending on the thickness of your steaks.
  3. Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a skillet. Time this so while the oil is heating, you can take the steaks out. Pat them dry with a paper towel and set them aside. The oil is ready when it starts to smoke.
  4. Sear the steaks on both sides until they're crisp and brown. This should take about 60 to 90 seconds per side. Take the steaks off the heat and let them rest for about 5 minutes before you serve them.
    • They should only be slightly less juicy than their once-cooked counterparts and their crusts should actually be more crispy -- always a good thing. This may take more time than zapping in the microwave, but it's worth it.



Tips

  • Leftover steak can be cut into narrow strips and served with onions, tomatoes and peppers, fajita-style. Add a squeeze of lime juice and serve the mixture in a tortilla with sour cream and salsa.
  • Consider using your leftover steak cold. Eat it as is, or cut the meat into small pieces and add it to a green salad with a bit of feta or blue cheese.
  • Chop leftover steak, then heat it with a can of mushroom soup, fresh mushrooms, chopped onion, a cup of sour cream and salt and pepper for an impromptu stroganoff. If you have leftover beef gravy, stir it into the mixture. Simmer the stroganoff for 15 to 20 minutes, then serve over rice or hot noodles.

Things You'll Need

Stove Top Methods

  • Oil or melted butter
  • Skillet or sauté pan
  • Zip-close bag
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped onion or shallot
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Saucepan
  • Heavy frying pan
  • Beef broth

Oven Methods

  • Microwaveable dish with cover
  • Steak sauce, Italian dressing, teriyaki or barbecue sauce
  • Rimmed baking sheet

Heating & Searing Method

  • Wire rack
  • Baking sheet
  • Paper towel
  • Skillet
  • Oil
  • Tongs

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Sources and Citations

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