How Long To Let Steak Rest? Revealed!

Last Updated on June 10, 2022 by

Today, we are going to be answering the popular question, How Long To Let Steak Rest? A steak, also known as “beef steak,” is a cut of meat sliced across the muscle fibers and may include a bone. It’s usually grilled but can also be fried in a pan. Steak can also be minced and formed into patties, as in steak and kidney pie, or cooked in sauce, as in hamburgers. Besides cattle, steaks are also often cut from other animals, including bison, camel, goat,  sheep, pigs, deer, and zebu, as well as various types of fish, especially salmon and large fish such as swordfish, shark, and marlin. 

For some meats, such as pork, lamb and mutton, chevon, and veal, these cuts are often called chops. Some meat, such as gammon, is commonly served as steak.

Wondering how long to let your steak rest? If the meat is thin, rest it for half as long as it took to cook. The meat should be rested for the entire cooking period if the heart is thick. You must rest your meat before eating it, whether grilling steaks or smoking a brisket. 

How Long To Let Steak Rest?

Allowing the meat to rest after grilling or smoking is one of the most difficult steps. It’s difficult because the mouth-watering aromas tempt everyone to tear into that delicious, smoky, perfectly cooked steak. Resting your steak entails more than simply allowing it to cool enough to eat. There is some science behind it, and allowing your steak to rest will make it taste even better.

The goal with steak is to cool it to a temperature of 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit in the center and 125-140 degrees Fahrenheit on the outside. If you use a probe thermometer to check the internal temperature, the juices will be forced out of the puncture opening, causing the steak to lose some of its juices. 

To avoid this, most chefs use the methods listed below to determine how long their meat needs to rest:

  • Allow 5 minutes per inch of thickness to rest the meat.
  • Allow 10 minutes per pound of meat to rest.
  • 1 minute per 100 grams of meat should be rested.

For steak, the resting period is crucial. During the resting period, the juice is redistributed throughout the steak. Therefore, the steak will be tough and dry if you miss the resting phase.

How To Rest Steak

Here are the measures to give your steak the proper rest it requires: Once the meat is done cooking, please remove it from the heat source, the oven, or the grill. Place the meat on a heated platter. A cutting board can also be used.  Make a tent out of aluminum foil to keep the heat in. Allow it to sit for the required amount of time. Then, remove the foil and cut the meat. Promptly serve and enjoy!

Why Is It Necessary For Steak To Rest?

Meat is a muscle made up of two basic components: protein and water. Meat is 70-75 percent water when it is raw. So you know how little liquid is lost if you’ve chopped raw meat before. Because of the higher temperature, muscle fibers contract when steak is cooked. The liquid then flows towards the center of the steak as the water is pushed out of the fibers.

Because the juices haven’t had a chance to be reabsorbed by the flesh yet, if you cut beef before it rests, the juices will go straight on your plate. When you remove the steak from the fire and allow it to rest for a few minutes, the fibers relax and broaden. This allows the liquid and moisture in the meat to redistribute. 

The process of fibers enlarging and then relaxing also explains why you can tell if a steak is done by touching it with your finger or tongs – the stiffer the flesh is, the more done. Are you worried that letting your steak out would cause it to reach a hazardous food temperature? Do not be alarmed. Even after you remove the meat from the grill or burner, it will continue to cook for a bit. You can cover it in aluminum foil to trap even more heat if you’d like.

Resting The Steak Before Cooking It

We do not advocate cooking a steak or raw meat straight from the refrigerator. Allow your steak to come to room temperature by placing it on a covered cutting board or platter. Allowing your meat to sit on the counter for a few minutes will allow the surface and internal temperatures of the steak to equal out.

When cooking, this guarantees that the surface and inside temperatures are consistent. This is especially critical for cuts an inch or more thick, such as Ribeye, T-Bone, Porterhouse, or a larger Rib Roast. Before you cook a fresh steak, how long do you need to keep it on the counter? As a general guideline, we recommend letting your meat rest for 60 minutes before cooking. Then, all is OK once the resting steak is safely covered.

While your steak is resting at room temperature, pat it dry with a paper towel and season it with Kosher Salt. How long should I leave the steak to rest after seasoning it and cooking it? It all depends on your personal preference for seasoning. We prefer to let the Kosher Salt enter and brine the meat for another 30 minutes, but you can skip this step and go straight to the skillet.

How Long Should A Steak Rest After Cooking?

Using a digital thermometer (a helpful instrument and a good investment), you’ve reached the internal target temperature, 129 °F / 53.5 °C, using a digital thermometer (a helpful instrument and a good investment). Next, gently place the cooked steak on a cutting board without pressing or pushing.

Cover the meat with aluminum foil and tent it loosely with the foil. Allow some space on all sides of the steak for warm air, moist steam, and fragrances to circulate freely between the steak cut and the aluminum foil. Again, cover loosely, as this will result in overcooking and dryness. The Beef Rule of Thumb for resting cooked steak under a foil tent is 8 minutes per pound (lb.) /.45kg, so our 10 oz. Ribeye will only get 5 to 5 minutes.

Brisket, Rib Roast / Prime Rib, and Tri-Tip should all be rested for 8 minutes per pound. When you’re hungry, 8 minutes per pound seems like a long time to wait to eat a steak, so we always utilize this time to make a sauce, blanch vegetables, or chop salad.

How Long To Let A Steak Rest Per pound?

When it comes to resting steak, are there any per-pound rules you should follow? It’s not always necessary because many cuts are under 1 pound each. However, a brief rest period should provide enough time for the juices to disperse.

However, if you’re not sure how long to rest the meat, there are certain guidelines you can follow. For example, some chefs recommend allowing 5 minutes per inch of thickness, which translates to a 10-minute resting period for a 2-inch thick filet mignon.

Another effective rule of thumb is 10 minutes per pound. For example, because a large porterhouse steak can weigh up to 30 ounces, it should be rested for about 20 minutes before serving.

Another point to consider is the length of the cooking procedure. For example, thinner steak cuts can rest for half the time they need to cook, while thicker pieces may need to rest the entire time they are grilled.

Resting Steak Before Cutting 

The most important thing to remember when resting meat is that it should not be cut until it has rested adequately. Cutting it too quickly negates the resting process and allows the juices to escape. So, the next time you pull a gorgeous two-inch-thick ribeye from the grill with a perfect internal temperature of medium-rare, place it on a cutting board and set it aside for a few minutes. 

Although you may feel compelled to stare at it, drooling in anticipation, allowing your steak to rest after grilling can improve your experience. It’s the only way to get soft, juicy, and delicious meat every time.

What Temperature Should The Steak Be After Resting?

As a general guideline, rest the steak until the middle temperature reaches 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The borders may be a little warmer—between 125 and 140 degrees.

The problem is that placing a probe thermometer into the steak can cause the fluids to escape, especially if you do so too soon. As a result, most cooks prefer to use time rather than temperature to determine the resting period.

Conclusion on How Long To Let Steak Rest?

Resting the steak (raw meat) before cooking ensures that the meat cooks evenly throughout. Cooking the ideal steak is an art form that necessitates a certain level of expertise and precision. So if you want to amaze your friends, lover, or simply yourself with a delicious steak soon, make sure to leave enough time for the meat to rest before serving.

After cooking, the steak keeps the moisture, lipids, and proteins inside. Steak cooking necessitates the use of resting time. Don’t let it go unnoticed. Under aluminum foil, a steak should rest for 8 minutes for each pound (per.425kg).