You don’t have to go outdoors and fire up the grill every time you feel like a steak dinner. If it’s too cold or you want the convenience of being in the kitchen among utensils, condiments and dinner companions, rely on the convenience and versatility of an indoor grill.

Master the indoor grilling method

Indoor grills can help you prepare a juicy, perfectly cooked steak in no time and with minimal effort. You can also get those tempting burn marks along with the great taste that accompanies them. Just make sure your indoor grill has an adjustable temperature that goes up to 450°F like our Indoor Electric Searing Grill, or has a SEAR option, like our Steak Lover Indoor Grill. And as a bonus, enjoy the convenience of a removable drip tray for easy cleaning, included in many Hamilton Beach models.

Ready to get started? Here are our best tips and techniques for grilling a perfect steak on an indoor grill, plus a simple recipe for an indoor grilled steak.

Prepare the steak

Our Consumer Test Kitchen experts recommend seasoning your steak based on the cut of meat you’re grilling. For classic grilled steaks like boneless ribeye, New York Strip or sirloin, which are very tender and cook more quickly than other cuts, a dry rub or salt and pepper will give you the best flavor. For tougher cuts, such as skirt or flank steaks, marinate the meat in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours before grilling.

Preheat the grill

To get the best browning possible, make sure the grill is hot. You should preheat the grill on the SEAR setting for 10 to 15 minutes or until the ready light comes on (if your model has one). As soon as you begin preheating, remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it rest on the counter. Since the steak will be cold from the fridge, let it warm up a bit to allow it to cook more thoroughly. Be careful not to leave it out for too long (preferably less than 2 hours) and always comply with food safety guidelines.

Cook the steak

Cooking time may vary depending on the cut of the steak, the thickness and initial temperature of the steak and grill. Consider this guide helpful: For a New York steak (1 inch thick), grill at 450°F for 8 to 16 minutes or until it reaches desired internal temperature. If you use a grill with only one cooking surface, turn the steak once halfway through cooking. If you use an indoor grill with two cooking surfaces, reduce the cooking time to avoid burning it.

Take the temperature

To get a great steak cooked to your desired pink color, monitor the temperature. Insert an instant-read digital meat thermometer into a thick spot in the center of the steak. The USDA recommends cooking steak to a minimum temperature of 145°F, plus a minimum of three minutes of rest. For reference, it will take about 6-7 minutes for a 1-inch ribeye steak to reach medium doneness (about 160℉). Since all indoor grills are different, check the use and care of your model to determine how long it will take you. Use and care guides are available on our website.

Let it rest

Once removed from the grill, the steak should rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. For food safety, the USDA recommends at least three minutes of rest after cooking steaks to a minimum temperature of 145°F, but our experts at Consumer Test Kitchen prefer to let rest a little longer for maximum flavor . During this time you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil to trap the heat.

Alternative method: reverse seared steak

Reverse searing is a cooking technique that produces steakhouse-quality results at home. The process involves slow cooking the steak at a low temperature in the oven or on the grill until the desired internal temperature is reached. The steak is then seared on both sides. This cooking method allows the meat to retain moisture and tenderness while the final sear adds texture and flavor from edge to edge. Reverse searing is especially beneficial for thicker cuts of meat as it helps ensure the desired degree of doneness on the inside and achieve a perfectly browned, crisp crust on the outside.

Classic grilled steak recipe

Once you discover the ease and convenience of preparing perfect, flavorful steaks on your indoor grill, you’ll say goodbye to those expensive restaurants and hello to restaurant-quality steaks anytime, right from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Shop Hamilton Beach Indoor Grills

Equipped with powerful heating elements that reach scorching temperatures or temperature probes that achieve perfect meat cooking, Hamilton Beach® indoor grills have everything you need to bring out the best flavor in your meat. And because our indoor grills are designed with simplicity in mind, you’ll also get convenient features like electronic controls, indicator lights, and removable racks that can be washed in the dishwasher.

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