There is a common belief that steaks need to be left on the counter at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking. The idea is to “let the steak come to room temp,” which allegedly allows it to cook more evenly.
But is it ture? and is there a specific time that’s optimal for leaving your steak out? I’ve always wondered if letting steak sit at room temperature really makes a difference, and after doing some research (and trying a few tests myself), I’m ready to share the results. Let’s dive into how long to leave a steak out before cooking and whether it’s necessary for the perfect sear.
Table of contents
- Why Steak Should Be Left at Room Temp Before Cooking
- What J. Kenji López-Alt’s Experiment Revealed
- The Science of Browning and Moisture Evaporation
- How Long to Leave a Steak Out Before Cooking?
- Better Alternatives to Room Temperature Resting
- The Role of Temperature in Cooking Steak
- The Takeaway: Skip the Long Room Temperature Resting
Why Steak Should Be Left at Room Temp Before Cooking
The reason many people swear by leaving steak out before cooking is simple: it’s believed that allowing the meat to come closer to room temperature will promote more even cooking. The theory is that when the steak is closer to its final temperature, it cooks faster and more evenly, leading to a better result.
The logic here is that a colder steak from the fridge will take longer to heat up during cooking, and this could result in uneven doneness, with the outer layers cooking faster than the center. In theory, bringing it to room temperature helps avoid this issue, especially for thick cuts of meat.
But how long can you leave steak out before cooking, and does it really make a difference?
What J. Kenji López-Alt’s Experiment Revealed
To get to the bottom of this, I came across the work of J. Kenji López-Alt, a renowned chef and food scientist. He conducted an experiment where he took a thick 15-ounce New York strip steak from the fridge, split it into two pieces, and monitored how the internal temperature changed after being left out at room temperature.
Here’s the surprising finding: after 20 minutes, the internal temperature of the steak increased by only about 2°F, and after 1 hour and 50 minutes, it had increased by just 10°F (to 49.6°F). Even after almost two hours, the steak was still far from room temperature, which is around 70°F. At that rate, it would take over 6 hours to reach room temperature, which would pose a food safety concern as it would fall into the Temperature Danger Zone.
Instant Read Meat Thermometer
In my test, using common thin steaks, cut into two pieces, I checked the internal temp using our InstaProbe Core meat thermometer, that after 20 minutes, the internal temperature only increased by 7°F. I then cooked the two steaks side by side, and I found there was no noticeable difference between the two. The outer crust, tenderness, and gray band were all the same. Interestingly, the cooking time for both steaks was almost identical. This clearly shows that leaving steak out before cooking doesn’t have as much of an impact on the internal temperature as we might think.
These experiments proved that how long to leave steak out before cooking doesn’t matter as much as we’ve been told. You can leave it out for 20 to 30 minutes, but the effect is minimal on the cooking process.
The Science of Browning and Moisture Evaporation
Another key factor in how long to leave steak out before cooking is the importance of moisture evaporation for proper browning. Steak can’t start browning until most of its surface moisture has evaporated, and this process requires a lot of energy.
Kenji explained it best by comparing the amount of energy it takes to turn a gram of water into steam with how much energy it takes to heat that same water from cold to boiling. The energy needed for moisture evaporation is far greater than the effect of warming up the steak’s surface by 20-30°F.
So, even if you leave your steak out for an hour or more, it still won’t have the moisture evaporation required for proper searing. That’s why I’ve found that drying the steak thoroughly with paper towels is far more important than focusing on how long to leave it out before cooking.
How Long to Leave a Steak Out Before Cooking?
After doing some tests and taking all the variables into account, I would say: It’s not necessary to leave steak at room temperature before cooking. The internal temperature doesn’t change much in that short period, and the steak can cook perfectly straight from the fridge.
If you insist on letting the steak sit out before cooking, you can follow what most people recommend and let it sit on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes. However, be sure not to leave it out for long, as this could lead to food safety concerns. The Meat and Poultry Hotline advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, food should not be left out for more than 1 hour.
Better Alternatives to Room Temperature Resting
While letting your steak rest at room temperature for a long period isn’t necessary, there are better ways to prepare your steak for optimal cooking results:
- Drying the Steak: One of the most important steps I take before cooking steak is to dry it thoroughly with paper towels. This helps reduce surface moisture, allowing the steak to brown more effectively when it hits the pan or grill. The drier the surface, the better the sear.
- Salting and Refrigerating: For even better results, I recommend salting the steak and letting it rest uncovered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This helps the moisture evaporate from the surface while also allowing the salt to penetrate the meat, improving flavor and texture. It’s an easy method that works wonders for getting that perfect crispy crust.
The Role of Temperature in Cooking Steak
Even more important than how long you leave steak out before cooking is making sure the steak reaches the right internal temperature during cooking. For example:
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium-Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
- Medium-Well: 150-155°F
- Well-Done: 160°F and above
The best way to ensure your steak reaches the perfect level of doneness is by using a meat thermometer. The Typhur InstaProbe Instant Read Meat Thermometer, which provides a quick, precise temperature reading in just 0.5 seconds. It’s a huge time-saver and gives me the confidence that my steaks are cooked perfectly every time.
Instant Read Meat Thermometer
The Takeaway: Skip the Long Room Temperature Resting
From my experience and the findings of J. Kenji López-Alt, there’s really no need to let your steak sit out for a long period before cooking. Leaving steak out for 20 to 30 minutes is plenty of time to let it come closer to room temperature without wasting hours. Instead, focus on drying the steak, salting it, and using the right cooking techniques (like searing at the right temperature and checking with a meat thermometer) to ensure the perfect steak every time.
Remember, perfecting your steak is all about the right techniques, not about how long to leave steak out before cooking. Dry it, salt it, and cook it to the right temperature for a mouthwatering result that’ll impress everyone at your dinner table. Happy cooking!
