How to Reheat Steak (+ 5 Easy Methods)

It’s not often we have steak leftovers. But when we do, it’s essential to know how to reheat steak the right way.

Otherwise, it’ll end up tough and chewy. Luckily, there are a few methods to choose from!

The best cut of steak is often expensive, so it deserves some extra lovin’. And that’s especially true if you need to reheat it.

I mean, you can’t just pop that thing in the microwave and expect perfection, right?! 

But between the oven, stove, Air Fryer, and yes, even the microwave, it’s possible to reheat steak.

Just remember, there’s no room for mistakes when the quality of steak is at stake!

So read my post on how to tenderize steak so it starts off on the right foot. That way, it’ll be just as tasty as it was last night.

Ready to learn how to reheat steak? Let’s get to it.

How to Reheat Steak in the Oven

The process may take longer, but the oven is the best way to reheat leftover steak.

So, choose this method if premium quality is what you’re going for.

1. Bring the steak to room temperature.

This tip goes for all cooking methods (except for one).

Don’t reheat steak straight from the fridge. It takes so much longer and is prone to overcooking.

Depending on how thick the cut is, it could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven.

You want to go low and slow when reheating steak, so don’t exceed 250 degrees Fahrenheit. 

3. Reheat the steak.

Place the steak on a rimmed baking sheet set on a wire rack. This will help cook the meat evenly.

Reheat the steak until its internal temperature reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit. 

It should take close to 30 minutes to reheat, but I suggest checking it after 15. Then, take a peek every five minutes.

4. Sear the steak in a hot pan (optional).

If you’re willing to go the extra mile, place the steak in a hot cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Sear it with a bit of oil for about 1 minute on each side. That’ll give the steak that crisp crust on the outside.

5. Let the steak rest.

As always, leave the steak untouched to allow all the juices of the meat to redistribute. 

When reheating, this should only be about 5 minutes.

If you slice the meat right away, all the juices will ooze out. You want the juices in the steak, not your plate!

6. Serve and enjoy!

How to Reheat Steak on the Stovetop

The stovetop method yields pretty awesome results, too. And it won’t take as long as reheating steak in the oven.

1. Let the steak come to room temperature.

Again, don’t ever reheat steak straight from the fridge.

Instead, let its sit on the counter for 10 to 30 minutes, or until it’s close to room temperature.

2. Preheat and grease the pan.

Either a cast-iron or nonstick skillet works best for this.

Preheat the pan to medium-low heat and moisten the pan with leftover steak jus or beef stock.

3. Reheat the steak.

Pop the steak in, cover the pan, and reduce the heat to low. 

Reheat the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check every 3 to 5 minutes to avoid overcooking the meat.

4. Sear the steak (optional).

Not a requirement, but it’s highly recommended if you want that crisp golden crust around your steak.

And since you already have the pan out, why not take the extra step?

Wipe the skillet clean and heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high. Add the steak and sear it for 1 minute on each side, or until crisp.

5. Rest the steak.

Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing to help retain all its juices. 

6. Serve and enjoy!

How to Reheat Steak in the Microwave

The microwave is your best option if you want to reheat steak the quickest way possible.

With this method, the steak will be ready in just 3 minutes.

Just don’t forget about the damp paper towel, and you’ll get surprisingly impressive results!

1. Let the steak come to room temperature.

Give it around 10 to 30 minutes on the counter to thaw.

2. Moisten the steak.

Place the steak in a microwave-safe container with some leftover jus or beef stock.

Put a piece of damp paper towel on top of the meat. That’ll keep it from drying out as it reheats!

Cover the container with a plastic wrap or microwave-safe lid.

3. Microwave the steak.

Reheat the steak in 30-second intervals at 50% power, flipping the meat in between.

Stop when its internal temperature reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

The total time depends on the thickness of your steak. But I’d say it’ll take around 1 1/2 to minutes.

4. Let the steak rest.

Let it rest for 5 minutes to help keep it nice and juicy.

5. Serve and enjoy!

How to Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer

There are three advantages to using an Air Fryer to reheat steak:

• First, it heats up the meat pretty fast.
• You don’t have to let the steak come to room temperature beforehand.
• It crisps up the exterior during the process, eliminating an extra step.

Plus, you’ll use a lot less energy heating this small appliance up than the whole oven!

1. Preheat the air fryer.

You’ll reheat the steak at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for this method and this method alone.

2. Reheat the steak.

Again, with this step, there’s no need to take the meat out of the fridge 30 minutes early!

Place the steak in the Air Fryer basket and heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

An average-sized steak will take about 3 to 5 minutes to warm. For thinly sliced steak, check for doneness after 2 minutes. 

3. Rest the steak.

Give the steak 5 minutes to rest before slicing to keep it moist and juicy.

4. Serve and enjoy!

How to Reheat Steak Sous Vide-Style

If you happen to own a Sous Vide machine, good for you! They’re such fun when you get the hang of them and are ideal for cooking large cuts of meat.

They’re also one of the most reliable methods to reheat steak.

1. Prepare the machine.

Fill a large pot with water and attach the Sous Vide machine. Set the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Prepare the steak.

Place the steak in a sealable freezer bag with a dab of butter. Vacuum-seal the bag.

3. Reheat the steak.

Put the bag in the pot, keeping it away from the edges. 

Cook the steak for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until it’s warmed through. 

4. Sear the meat (optional).

Pop the steak in an oiled cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each side for 1 minute, or until it forms a nice outer crust. 

5. Rest the steak.

Allow your steak 5 minutes to rest before you slice. This will help retain its juiciness.

6. Serve and enjoy!

How Do You Reheat the Steak Without Drying It Out?

To reheat steak without drying it out, the key is to go low and slow. If you reheat steak at a high temperature, it will overcook and dry out. So, reheat it at around 200°F until the interior reaches 110°F. Then, sear it in a hot pan to seal in the juices and give it a nice crust.

The only exception here is if you use the Air Fryer. In that case, you can get away with cooking at high temperatures.

Tips for Reheating Steak

• These methods are perfect for unsliced pieces of steak. Once the meat is already sliced, consider serving it cold. It’ll be almost impossible to reheat sliced steak without overcooking it.
  • Cold steak tastes great in wraps and sandwiches.
• The best way to test for doneness is to use an instant-read thermometer. Cooked steak has an internal temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Unless you’re using the Air Fryer, don’t reheat straight from the fridge. Just like cooking it for the first time, you want the meat at room temperature.
• Low and slow is the way to go. Rushing the process will only leave you with dry and rubbery steak.

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