You do not need to visit a fancy restaurant or know how to use a grill to enjoy a perfect steak. The vision of a perfect steak differs according to each person’s taste- rare, medium, or well done. Factors like seasoning, cooking time, and quality of meat significantly influence the outcome of the steak. 

Common methods of making steaks like pan searing and grilling can be overwhelming for beginners. However, what if you have an air fryer, can you make juicy steak with it? Yes, with Tastee CeraMagic Air Fryer, you can make juicy air fryer steak that has a delicious crust.

This article will explore the science of cooking steak, common methods of making steak, beginner mistakes, as well as why our Smart Air Fryer is the best option for beginners who want the perfect steak.

The Science of Cooking Steak

Understanding the science of cooking steak can significantly influence the outcome, especially if you want to make juicy steak in the air fryer. Here are some concepts that are beneficial to making the perfect steak:

1. Heat Transfer

First, you need to understand how the air fryer works. The hot air circulates the meat, which ensures it cooks evenly while retaining its juiciness. The heat from the air fryer breaks down the fatty acids in the meat into smaller molecules, which creates the savoury aroma associated with steak. 

2. Maillard Reaction

Another crucial concept to understand is the Maillard reaction. The hot air circulating the meat triggers various chemical reactions that play a role in the browning and releasing of complex flavours in the steak.  In addition, as the steak cooks in the air fryer, its proteins are denatured, which turns the raw meat into an edible delicacy.  If the meat is left in the heat for too long, it begins to char and releases bitter and undesirable flavours.

3. Internal Temperature

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the ideal temperature for cooking steak is 145OF and allows you to rest for at least three minutes before consumption. However, the temperature often varies depending on your preferred level of doneness. If you prefer well-done steaks, the internal temperature should be up to 160OF. Tastee air fryer comes with a built-in smart temperature probe that ensures your meat is not over-cooked. In addition, our Smart air fryer comes in different modes that allow you to cook steak to your preferred doneness with ease. 

Popular Steak Cooking Methods 

Getting the perfect steak involves choosing a good cut and suitable cooking methods. However, these methods require some experience for optimal results. Some popular methods of cooking steak include:

1. Pan Searing

Pan searing is a classic method of making steaks especially if you do not have a grill, oven, or air fryer. This method involves searing the steak in a stainless steel or cast-iron skillet to create a beautiful and flavourful crust. Chef Gordon Ramsay has demonstrated this method several times in his videos. He usually starts by patting the steaks dry with a paper towel and generously seasoning them on all sides with salt and pepper. Then, cooking oil goes into a hot pan and in goes the steak, which is regularly flipped to prevent charring. He then adds butter, some cloves of garlic, and rosemary to the pan to baste the steak to enhance its flavour. 

J. Kenji López-Alt recommends flipping the steak every 15 to 30 seconds to allow it to cook evenly. Once the steak has reached your preferred temperature, remove it from the pan and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before plating it. While pan-searing promises a flavourful and juicy steak, it is not the best idea for beginners as there is a high chance of over-cooking the meat. 

2. Grilling

Grilling is a fun way to make steak especially if you want to incorporate smoky flavours. First, you want to preheat your grill and season your meat. Then, you can place the meat on the rack over direct heat. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature so that the meat is not under or overcooked. Some people like to baste the meat with each flip so that it remains juicy. This method also requires some experience to get the perfect steak.

3. Oven Roasting

You could also use an oven to cook a steak. However, this method is usually preferable for thicker cuts of meat. First, you need to sear the steak in a hot pan to develop a crust then transfer it to a preheated oven in an oven dish with garlic and preferred herbs for thorough cooking. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature to avoid overcooking the steak.

4. Sous vide

Sous Vide is arguably the easiest way to ensure your steak is evenly cooked. This method involves sealing the meat in a bag, dropping it into a temperature-controlled water bath waiting until it is done. Once it is ready, you can simply toss it into a hot pan with a drizzle of oil to get a good sear. Although this method looks simple, achieving a good sear may be harder because the meat is wet and this may affect the overall flavour of the meat. According to J. Kenji López-Alt a sous vide steak will take an hour or more while other methods usually take about 20 minutes.

Common Beginner Mistakes When Cooking Steak

Have you ever cooked a steak and it didn’t come out the way you expected? Here are some common mistakes beginners to avoid next time:

1. Cooking Wet Steak

Before seasoning and tossing your steak into a hot pan or grill, ensure you rub off some of the excess moisture. Use a paper towel to gently tap it dry before seasoning. Excess moisture on the steak interferes with the formation of the beautiful brown crust. So, if you want to get a good sear on your steak, ensure it is dry before seasoning.

2. Under seasoning the Steak

One common beginner mistake when cooking steak is not using enough seasoning. Do not be afraid to rub in enough salt (kosher salt sticks better) and pepper into your steak. Although steak has a bold flavour, it needs a generous amount of season to shine. Adding only a little seasoning results in a steak with an underwhelming taste. More so, some of the seasoning comes off while cooking it. Even after seasoning the meat generously before cooking, many chefs like to baste it to ensure the taste is perfect. 

3. Not Checking the Internal Temperature of the Steak

Another mistake that beginners make is attempting to tell when a steak is ready by looking or touching it. It may have a beautiful crust but is raw on the inside, which may not be very tasteful. Instead, use a meat thermometer to poke it in the thickest part to get the internal temperature. Aim for 135, 140, and 145 degrees for medium-rare, medium, and medium-well steaks respectively.  

4. Overcooking

When cooking a steak, you have to consider the thickness to get your preferred level of doneness. Many steak lovers love their meat cooked to medium while others love it well done. However, this requires experience as steaks come in various thicknesses, which affects the cooking time. Steaks about one-and-a-half inches thick generally require 10 minutes of cooking time for rare and about 13 minutes for medium rare. 

5. Timing

Making the perfect steak is all about timing. Cooking time determines how well cooked the steak turns out. Some say that steak should only be turned once while cooking while other experts encourage turning it every 30 seconds to speed up the cooking process. Use tongs to turn the meat so that it cooks more evenly. In addition, you need to let the steak rest for about 5 minutes on a warm plate before cutting into it. 

The Easiest Way to Cook Steak Using Tastee

With other methods of cooking steak, beginners are at risk of undercooking or overcooking the meat. As a beginner, can you make steak in an air fryer? Yes, you can make the perfect air fryer steak with Tastee Air Fryer. 

With Tastee's built-in temperature probe and algorithm-driven cooking process, you can make the perfect juicy steak. Tastee Ceramic Non-stick Air Fryer comes with a cutting-edge algorithm that provides various modes for cooking. Tastee Air Fryer comes with sensor magic that monitors the internal temperature of the meat and automatically adjusts the parameters to avoid undercooking or overcooking the steak.

Tastee Air Fryer is a high-performance cookware that reaches a temperature of 450°F, which is perfect for getting a good sear on steaks. This high heat ensures the meat is evenly cooked while keeping it moist and juicy. Tastee Air Fryer checks all the boxes as a high-performance air fryer without PFAS. This unique kitchen appliance comes with a non-stick tray that makes cleaning an easy task.

How to make juicy steak in air fryer

1. Pat your steak dry.

2. Insert the built-in temperature probe into the thickest part of the steak and plug the probe into Tastee.

3. Generously season the steak to your liking.

4. Place the rack in the basket and set the steak on top.

5. Select Steak Mode, choose your preferred doneness, and press start.

6. Once ready, you can serve and savor your delicious steak immediately as it does not need to rest.

Conclusion

Cooking steak with an air fryer is a quick and easy fix. The result is a steak that has a good crust while the inside remains juicy and flavourful. With Tastee Smart features like the 8-in-1 versatility and 24 cooking presets, you can prepare various dishes ranging from steak, chicken, fish, fries, and vegetables with ease. Do not forget to let your steak rest before cutting into it.

Tastee is the best non-toxic non-stick ceramic-coated air fryer that you can add to your kitchen. It offers a safe alternative that allows you to cook tastier and healthier meals. Get your Tastee Air fryer today!