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There’s just something special about steak and that intoxicating aroma it emits as you cook it. If you like your steak rare or have any guests joining you that prefer it cooked to this internal temperature, then this rare steak recipe is for you!

Best Rare Steak Recipe

When you love rare steak, anything cooked further is a disappointment. But don’t worry because this rare steak recipe will give you the absolute best results for that juicy rare center that you crave!

Easy Pan Seared Steak Recipe

While steak is often seen as a luxury, it is very simple to prepare. And it takes such little time to do. You can make it on a week night as easily as on a weekend, so any time you’re in the mood for steak, use this easy steak recipe to achieve the perfect internal temp for steak!

Rare Steak Ingredients

  • New York strip steak – Have your butcher cut them about 1-inch thick.
  • Butter – Go with unsalted since we’ll be seasoning it.
  • Fresh herbs – You’ll need garlic cloves, rosemary, thyme, and sage.
  • Salt and black pepper – The perfect seasonings for steak!
  • Oil – I recommend vegetable oil, though any oil with a high smoke point will do.

How do you Cook Pan Seared Steak Rare Temp?

You’ll start by patting your steaks dry, then seasoning each side with salt and pepper. Get a cast iron skillet heated with vegetable oil over medium-high and coat the whole pan. When the oil is hot, add the steaks and sear each side for 3 to 4 minutes each so they develop a brown crust. Don’t forget about the fat on the sides either. Then drop the heat to medium and add the butter, garlic, and herbs. Keep spooning this buttery sauce on top. The correct temp for rare steak should be at 115F when you remove it because you’ll be putting it on a cutting board and covering it with aluminum foil to let it rest where it will arrive at the proper temperature of 125F. After it rests for 10 minutes, you can slice and serve.

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Steak Every Time

  • Start with room temperature. Your steaks will cook more evenly this way.
  • Always go for quality. Steaks are simple and you don’t need a ton of ingredients to make them taste good. Spring for top quality so you can truly appreciate the flavors.
  • Get the heat right. Heat is what gives it that crucial sear on the outside while keeping the inside rare and juicy. Cast iron skillets are one of the best ways to recreate that iconic steakhouse taste.
  • Let it rest. One of the most important things with steak is letting it rest while it rises to the perfect temp for rare steak. Slicing it too soon will cause it to lose all those wonderful juices.

What temp is rare?

Steak is considered rare at a temperature of 125F internally. You will want to pull it off the heat when it is 115F though because it will rise to the correct internal temp for rare steak as it rests.

How long do I cook a steak for rare temp?

You will need a total cooking time of 8 minutes to achieve a rare steak temperature. 125F is the ideal temperature for rare steak.

How long do you cook a 1-inch thick steak to rare?

You will cook each side for about 4 minutes, which makes for a total active cooking time of 8 minutes.

How do you grill a 1-inch steak to rare temp?

A 1-inch-thick steak is the perfect thickness for grilling. It should be grilled for 5 minutes on one side, then 3 minutes on the other side.

How to Cook Rare Steak in a Pan?

Cooking a rare steak in a pan requires getting the oil hot before adding it in. It will take about 3 to 4 minutes per side until it is ready.

How long does it take to cook a steak rare in a pan?

In a pan, it will take you 4 minutes per side to cook your steak to rare, a total of 8 minutes.

How to Cook Rare Steak in the Oven?

You can also cook a rare steak in the oven. You’ll want to put it at 450F and stick your cast iron skillet in there as it preheats. Put this on the stove over high heat while you season your steaks, then sear the steaks for a minute per side before putting the pan in the oven. You’ll bake for 4 minutes, then flip them to the other side for 4 more minutes. Then you’ll let them rest for 10 minutes.

How to cook steak in oven to rare?

You can set your oven to 450F, preheat your cast iron skillet in there with it, and then add your steaks. Cook them for 4 minutes before flipping for another 4 minutes.

What goes well with Steak?

We love baked potatoes with all the things to load them up (sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Caesar salad, creamed spinach, sauteed spinach, seared butter garlic mushrooms, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and corn on the cob. Steak is so versatile that you can pair it with a ton of different sides.

How to Store Steak?

Once your steak has cooled, you will need to wrap it well and put it in your refrigerator.

How Long Does Steak Last?

In your fridge, you have 3 to 5 days to finish off your leftover steak.

Can You Freeze Steak?

The freezer is a great place for your steak. If you wrap it well, it can last 4 to 6 months, though I recommend you use it up before then for the best flavors.

How to Reheat Steak Without Overcooking It?

Steak can be tricky to reheat but if you preheat your oven to 275F and set your steak on a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet, you will get the best results. You’ll want it to get to 110F internally before removing, which should take about 25 minutes.

Looking for instructions for different internal steak temperatures? See below for a list of steak temps:

See below for the steak cooking chart of different meat temperatures. Cook your steak according to the times below to reach your desired steak cooking temp whether its the standard medium steak internal temp or my personal favorite of medium rare. Steak cooking times will vary depending on your method of cooking at your desired temperature.

Steak Cooking Chart

~Perfect Steak Temperature Chart~

Internal Temperature Center Color
Internal Temp
Rare Steak Cool red center 125°F / 51.6°C
Medium Rare Steak Pinkish-red center 135°F / 57.2°C
Medium Steak Pink center 145°F / 63°C
Medium Well Steak Barely pink 150°F / 65.5°C
Well Steak Brown color throughout 160°F / 71.1°C

Watch How To Cook Steak Rare (Video)

The Perfect Rare Steak Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 1113
Learn how to cook the PERFECT rare steak with this easy recipe tutorial! It can be a challenge to cook your steak just right so we made this cast iron skillet steak recipe that will teach you exactly how to cooking steak in cast iron to your desired temperature.

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs New York strip steak
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or any oil with a high smoke point)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic (peeled and quartered)
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 sprig fresh sage

Instructions 

  • Pat each steak dry with paper towels and liberally season each side of the steak with salt and pepper, or to taste.
  • In a cast iron skillet, heat ½ to 1tbsp of vegetable oil on medium high heat, ensuring it coats the entire pan. Once the oil is hot, transfer your steaks to the skillet .Sear the steaks on each side for about 3-4 minutes each, or until a brown crust has formed. Use tongs to render the white fat along the sides of the steak and sear the edges, for about 1-2 minutes per side. Reduce the heat from medium-high to medium and add in the butter, garlic, and herbs. Continuously spoon the butter sauce over the steaks. Continue to baste the steaks until they are about 10 degrees away from your desired temperature (they will continue to cook while they rest). For rare steak, the correct temperature is 125°F. So you can remove the steak when it reaches about 115°F and let it rest.
  • Once the steaks have reached their desired temperature, transfer them to a cutting board and loosely cover with aluminum foil. Allow the steak to rest 10 minutes before slicing. Slice the steak into ½ to 1 inch thick strips to serve. Serve with extra butter sauce.
Calories: 1113kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 1113kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 92g | Fat: 81g | Saturated Fat: 39g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 35g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 322mg | Sodium: 2566mg | Potassium: 1285mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 652IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 8mg

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Author Megan Miller

I’m a mom of two, food and wine lover, and recipe creation enthusiast. Good food brings families together. Which is why I’m devoted to sharing my best recipes that are simple enough for even the beginner cook that your family will love!

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