There’s nothing better than a good steak. We all have our favourite; eye fillet, scotch fillet, rump, sirloin, T-bone or oyster blade. Rare, medium or well done. But do you know how to cook the perfect steak to your liking? Follow the following tips and you will soon become an expert.

There are many factors that can affect the tenderness and flavour of a steak, like what the cattle is fed, its breed and how long it has been aged. Ask your butcher or meat retailer, so you can find the perfect steak for you.

When it comes to cuts of steak, we’re spoiled for choice. Eye fillet is the most tender of all steaks. It’s mild and subtle in flavour. Scotch fillet is one of the most popular steaks. It’s juicy, tender and full of flavour. Rump steak is a good all-rounder and is good value, it’s lean and full-flavoured. Sirloin/Porterhouse/New York steak is an all time favourite. It’s the choice of steak lovers.It has a fine, yet firm texture and is rich in flavour. T-bone steak is tender, rich and flavousome and did you know it has a fillet on the smaller side of the bone and sirloin on the other. Oyster blade steak is lean with good beef flavour. What ever steaks you choose, only buy steaks of an even thickness, this way they’ll cook evenly.

10 ways to the perfect steak:

1. Before starting to cook your steak, take it out of the fridge 10 minutes before you cook it. It will cook more evenly and brown better. Cold steaks placed on a hot surface can tighten and toughen, then they tend to stew.
2. While the BBQ or grill pan heats up, lightly season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. Try and use freshly ground salt or sea salt flakes. These salts won’t seep into the steaks like table salt does, which can release the juices from the steak and make it tough.
3. Oil the steak not the grill. This will stop steaks from stiking and the oil won’t burn on the hot plate.
4. Preheat the BBQ or grill plate to hot first before you add the steak. This ensures you’ll get maximum flavour and tenderness. Your steak should sizzle when it hits the grill. If you’re cooking a thick steak or like it well done, move it to the cooler part of the BBQ or turn down the heat to moderately high as it cooks.
5. The perfect steak takes only a single turn. The more you flip the tougher it gets. Simply let the steak cook on one side until moisture appears, then make your turn.
6. Steaks don’t like to share heat. By crowding the BBQ, the heat drops and the steaks will release their juices, resulting in a stewing effect.
7. Resist the urge to pour marinade over steaks as they cook. It will make the steaks stew. A light brush of marinade before you turn is ok.
8. Do not cut the steak to test. Cutting steaks to test for readiness while cooking will leak flavour and tenderness. Test the steak with tongs. Rare is very soft when pressed, medium is springy and well done is very firm.
9. Always use tongs, they are a steak’s best friend. A fork is not. By piercing the steak, you’re robbing yourself of the full-flavoured juices.
10. Once your steak comes off the BBQ, let it rest and relax for 2-4 minutes, covered loosely under foil. It will help to keep it tender and juicy.

Arm yourself with the above tips and cook yourself the perfect steak today.