If you want a steak that is juicy and full of flavour, it is important to choose the right cooking fat, and cooking experts shared the best oil to use
Steak is a delicious but expensive meal, so it can be disheartening to splash out on a quality cut of beef only for it to emerge from the pan burnt and flavourless. Preparing a steak is relatively straightforward, but one frequent error is selecting the incorrect oil, as olive oil actually deteriorates rapidly when heated at high temperatures, reports the Express.
Olive oil possesses a low smoke point which means it cannot reach sufficient heat to properly seal the steak without starting to burn. Within moments this will lead to an extremely smoky kitchen whilst the beef will become blackened, acrid and simply horrible to consume.
Rather, the culinary experts at Red Meat Lover have conducted numerous trials to identify the optimal cooking fat for steak, and have revealed you will achieve the finest flavour if you prepare it with avocado oil.
They explained: “The avocado oil added the best sear and best flavour to the strip steak. We recommend using avocado for all of your cooking steak needs. The only con to using avocado oil is that it can be a little costly. But it’s totally worth the flavour.”
Avocado oil boasts an exceptionally high smoke point, meaning it stays stable at elevated temperatures and can endure the fierce heat needed to sear a steak.
What’s brilliant about avocado oil is that it possesses a neutral flavour, so it won’t interfere with the natural taste of the steak, allowing you to achieve a crispy golden crust on the meat with minimal fuss. Avocado oil might be a tad more expensive than olive oil, but it’s worth the extra pennies if you’re planning to indulge in a steak.
At ASDA, a bottle is priced at £3.00, Morrisons has it for £3.15, Sainsbury’s sells it for £3.25, and Tesco offers it for £4.55.
How to perfectly sear a steak
Firstly, take your steak out of the fridge, season it with salt and pepper, and let it sit on a plate for an hour before cooking. This allows the meat to reach room temperature naturally, which is crucial for even cooking.
Allowing the steak to rest beforehand ensures that the entire cut cooks evenly, preventing the inside from being undercooked. It also helps the exterior of the steak dry quickly, resulting in a superior sear.
When you’re ready to cook, heat up a pan on high heat and pour two tablespoons of avocado oil into it. Once the pan is fully heated, carefully place the steak in and let it sizzle for two to three minutes on each side.
Take the steak off the heat when it’s cooked to your liking, then let it rest for five minutes before slicing into it.
As the steak cooks, its juices move towards the heat source. If you slice into it straight away, these juices will escape, leaving the meat dry and lacking in flavour.
Using avocado oil can give your steak a better crust, but the key to a perfect steak lies in letting it rest properly. This way, you’ll end up with a deliciously juicy cut of meat every time you cook.
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