Marianne Martinez
Cooking the perfect tenderloin steak is an art form, but it's an achievable goal with the right tools and techniques. For a culinary novice, the stovetop is the best bet for cooking a tenderloin steak. The most important tool is a cast-iron skillet, which is the best way to cook beef tenderloin on the stove. Cast-iron skillets have a high volumetric heat capacity, allowing them to stay hot and distribute heat evenly. To cook the perfect tenderloin steak, you'll need to understand the basics, monitor the temperature, and follow a few simple steps.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pan
Firstly, it is recommended to use a cast-iron skillet for oven-baking tenderloin steak. Cast iron skillets have excellent heat distribution properties, ensuring even cooking. They can also withstand high temperatures and retain heat effectively. If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a heavy-duty stainless steel pan. However, it is advised to avoid non-stick pans with Teflon or similar coatings, as they are not designed for high-heat cooking.
Secondly, ensure that your chosen pan is oven-safe. This is crucial because you will be transferring the pan between the stovetop and the oven. An oven-safe pan can withstand the temperature changes and direct heat of the oven without warping or releasing harmful chemicals.
Before cooking, preheat your cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan on the stovetop for at least five minutes over medium-high heat. This step is essential to ensure your pan is hot enough to develop a nice crust on the steak.
Additionally, consider the size of your pan. If you are cooking multiple steaks, opt for a larger skillet that can accommodate all the steaks in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and browning.
Lastly, when handling the hot pan, always use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from burns. Remember to exercise caution when transferring the pan between the stovetop and the oven.
By following these instructions and choosing the right pan, you'll be well on your way to successfully oven-baking tenderloin steak.
Bread Sticking: Why Grease and Flour Fail
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pre-heating the pan
Firstly, choose the right type of pan. A cast-iron skillet is highly recommended for cooking tenderloin steaks. Cast iron has a high volumetric heat capacity, allowing it to stay hot and distribute heat evenly. It also has a flat bottom, which ensures even heat distribution without hot spots. If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a stainless steel pan. Avoid using non-stick pans, as they are not designed for high-heat cooking.
Once you've chosen the right pan, place it on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Let the pan heat up for at least 5 minutes. This ensures that the pan is hot enough to create a nice crust on your steak.
After the pan has heated up, add your cooking oil. Use a light coating of oil, about 1 tablespoon, and twirl the pan to distribute it evenly. Avoid using extra virgin olive oil, as it has a low smoke point. Instead, opt for oils with higher smoke points, such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
Wait at least 30 seconds for the oil to heat up. You'll know it's ready when it starts to smoke. At this point, your pan is pre-heated and ready for searing your tenderloin steak.
Remember, pre-heating your pan is crucial for achieving the desired crust and even cooking. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to cooking your tenderloin steak to perfection.
Baking Pan Hacks: Getting Round Pans to Work Perfectly
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Seasoning the steak
Seasoning is a crucial step in the cooking process, enhancing the flavour of the steak. Firstly, it is important to let the steak sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. This allows the meat to relax, ensuring a more even cook. During this time, you can season the steak with salt and pepper. It is recommended to season with salt at least 30 minutes before cooking, allowing the salt to penetrate the meat rather than remaining a surface-level seasoning.
You can also be creative with your seasoning, adding other spices and herbs to suit your taste. For example, you could use garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, basil, or rosemary. A popular option is to use herb butter, which can be made by mashing herbs and garlic into softened butter. You can also add other ingredients to the butter, such as olive oil, to prevent it from burning.
If you are using an oven-safe pan, you can add the herb butter to the pan before transferring it to the oven. The butter will melt and season the pan drippings, which can be used to create a sauce to pour over the steak.
Panning Drum Sets in Pro Tools: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for pan oven-baked tenderloin steak depend on the desired level of doneness. It is important to monitor the temperature correctly to avoid overcooking or undercooking the steak. An instant-read meat thermometer is a useful tool to ensure the steak is cooked to the desired level of doneness.
For a rare steak, bake for 4 minutes. For a medium-rare steak, bake for 5-6 minutes. For a medium steak, bake for 6-7 minutes. For a medium-well steak, bake for 8-9 minutes. It is recommended to take the steak out of the oven when it is 5 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the desired temperature, as the temperature will rise about 5 degrees after it is removed from the oven.
The oven temperature should be set between 250°F and 450°F, depending on the thickness of the steak and the desired level of doneness. For thicker steaks of 2 inches or more, a lower temperature of 250°F is recommended, while for thinner steaks, a higher temperature of up to 450°F can be used.
It is important to preheat the pan and oven before cooking the steak. The pan should be preheated for at least 5 minutes to ensure it is hot enough, and the oven should be preheated to the desired temperature. When using a cast-iron skillet, it is important to note that it will retain heat and distribute it evenly, so adjustments may be needed to avoid overheating.
Additionally, the steak should be brought to room temperature before cooking, which can be done by letting it sit on the countertop for about 30 minutes to an hour. This helps the steak cook more evenly and ensures more accurate cooking times.
Paella Pan Size for Four
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resting the steak
Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving. If you are making a pan sauce, you can do this while the steak is resting. For example, you can add some red wine or stock to the pan, scrape up the accumulated bits, and make a sauce to pour over your steaks.
If you want a perfectly round steak, you can tie a string around the steak before resting it. Remove the string when the steak is rested. This will create a more perfectly circular steak.
If you are cooking a reverse-seared steak, there is no need for a resting period before serving. This is because the steak is slowly brought up to temperature in a low oven, so it is already rested.
Mastering Barbecue Potatoes in a Pan: Quick Tips
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
For the best flavour, season the steak with salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and a nice crust. Preheat the pan for at least 5 minutes, then add a light coating of oil. Sear each side of the steak for 2 minutes, then transfer the pan to the oven.
For a medium steak, cook to an internal temperature of 140-145°F. For a medium-well steak, cook to 150-155°F. Always remove the steak from the oven 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit below your desired temperature, as the temperature will continue to rise after cooking.
Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This will ensure the juices redistribute and give you a better final cooking temperature.
