I learned to make steak from an uncle that believed dinner consisted of steaks and potatoes. I perfected my own recipe when I started cooking it on my own, only about 5 nights a week for a few bachelor years in my early 20’s.
These days, the marinade is a little different every time as I adjust between various liquid marinades, dry rubs, and even sometimes BBQ sauces. This recipe is one of the most well-liked, and I highly recommend cooking it over a good charcoal grill with a few chunks of hickory wood thrown in. I list other ways to cook as well, though, because I know you don’t always have time or the place for a charcoal grill. Aim for medium-rare please– don’t kill it with that well-done attitude when it comes to steak!
One of the most important steps of a tender steak is using a good meat tenderizer such as the XSpecial Meat Tenderizer Tool. In a pinch, you can also just use a pair of sturdy forks and poke both sides of your steak. For best results, go to the butcher and get a tenderloin cut. Unless you have a Costco nearby, it is very hard to find 1-1/2″ thick tenderloin cuts laying out at the grocery store.
Dads Best Steak Recipe – Tenderloin Cut
Course: MainCuisine: American, BBQ, SteakDifficulty: Medium4
servings5
minutes25
minutes1
hourIngredients
Directions
- Marinade Steaks
- Get out a 13×9 casserole dish with a lid and put steaks in it (my favorite is this Pyrex).
- Sprinkle steaks with 3 tsp of Fiesta Texas Style Steak Seasoning.
- Use meat tenderizer to poke both sides of all steaks.
- Dump in 1/4 cup of BBQ Sauce, then whole bottle of Stubbs Marinade, then Shiner Bock, but save yourself a sip!
- Marinade in fridge for 1 to 3 hours (with tenderloin, any longer could break steak down too much)
- BBQ Grill Method
- Heat gas/charcoal grill to 350-375 degrees and holding.
- Put steaks on grill and pour some marinade over the top, close lid and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Flip steaks, add some more marinade over the top, close lid and cook an additional 10-12 minutes.
- Steak temperature should be at least 145 degrees at this point. Remove steaks for rare or flip and cook to desired level of doneness (3 more minutes for medium, 6 more minutes for well)
- Cast Iron Skillet Method (caution, may set off fire alarm, turn on fans and open windows!)
- Heat extra light olive oil in coated cast iron skillet on stove or in oven to 475 degrees.
- Cook steaks with some marinade on top for 6 minutes.
- Flip steaks, add small amount of marinade on top, and cook on other side for 5 minutes. Temperature should be around 145 degrees for rare. Cook additional 3-5 minutes for medium rare or medium.
- Air Fryer Method
- Heat air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Cook steaks with some marinade on top for 7 minutes.
- Flip steaks, add some additional marinade on top and cook additional 7 minutes.
Notes
- When picking out a good tenderloin, go to the butcher and get one cut. Unless you have a Costco nearby, it is very hard to find 1-1/2″ thick tenderloin cuts laying out at the grocery store.
- Make it your own! Switch out the liquid marinade, dry rub, beer, or BBQ sauce
