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Season steak with salt and pepper Derrick Riches Suggested ReadingSpecific SteaksSteak: Flavor & SeasoningsGet the most out of your steak with the right flavorsFew things in life beat the flavor of a grilled steak. The smoky beef flavor, tender and with just a hit of that sweet fatty taste. But there is so much more you can do with a steak. Seasonings from rubs, marinades or sauces can turn an mediocre steak into a great steak. Rubs can be as simple as fresh ground black pepper or a complex mixture of a dozen spices and herbs. Marinades can make a tough steak tender and a plain steak spectacular. Sauces added after the grilling can finish a meal and fix any flavor.
Marinades
Of course some steaks don't need to me tenderized. Good, tender cuts will only go soft in a marinade. You want to preserve as much of the original texture of a steak as you can. This doesn't mean you can't marinade a sirloin, but you don't need it to tenderize. Marinades based on oils will coat steaks and helping to keep them moist if they happen to be extra lean or extra thick (requiring longer cooking times), or if you have a preference for a well done steak. If you decide to use salt (and I suggest you try it) use a coarse or kosher salt. The coarser crystals last through the grilling better. Steak not to marinate: Club, Filet Mignon, Kansas City Strip, Loin, New York Strip, Porterhouse, Rib, Shell, Sirloin, T-bone, and Tenderloin Steaks to marinate: Chuck, Flank, Round, Sirloin, Skirt, Top Round, and Hanger Seasonings
Of course people will say that a good steak doesn't need added flavor. I agree. If you have a good cut of meat, grilled to perfection then you don't need to add flavors. However, poorer cuts can use some sprucing up. Also if you want to achieve a specific dish like a Teriyaki Steak then you need to add seasonings before you cook. Salt is a big controversy in the area of steaks. Professional chefs will tell you that salt keeps meats from browning and browning is an important aspect of the properly grilled steak. Some will tell you that salt will dry out a steak. Others will say that salt enhances flavors. However the same chefs that tell you not to use salt will marinate steaks in soy sauce. The trick here is that if you are going to use salt then you need to use it in moderation. Suggested ReadingSpecific Steaks |
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