How to cook steak in the microwave

how to cook steak in the microwave

Sharing is caring!

The microwave oven- one of the most controversial cooking equipment, is set up for another challenge- cooking steak!

You could earn yourself a slap from home cooks and chefs by asking them for microwave steak, but take it from me, it’s still possible to enjoy steak even if you can’t afford to use other cooking techniques like using an outdoor grill.

Today, we shall explore how to cook steak in a microwave and at least have it tasty. Away from the controversies, let’s burst the bubble- can you cook steak in the microwave?

Related Topic:

Can you cook steak in the microwave?

Steak is a great candidate for microwave cooking, and it’s easier than one might think. But again, don’t go nuking that expensive wagyu sirloin steak. It won’t be worth the price.

After all, the microwave oven is meant to help warm up leftover foods and drinks, not any form of serious cooking.

I didn’t mean to discourage you from all of your microwave cooking endeavors- in fact, if you like and want, you could toast your nuts, poach eggs, take a shortcut to a risotto, and even cook up a wholesome steak. A few tricks are all you need.

 How to cook steak in a microwave, step by step

As much as a few tricks will get you the results, it’s essential to learn the don’ts that could otherwise ruin everything.

Don’t:

  • Use vegetable oil

By itself, steak, and meat in general, doesn’t taste that great. The seasonings, including salt, pepper, and oil, perfect the umami flavor. But when it comes to microwave steak, you can use all other seasonings except oil.

Microwave radiation interacts with water molecules in food, yielding heat and thus cooking things up. An oil layer locks in the water, causing the temperature to rise high and burn the steak. A little longer, and the meat bursts into flames.

  • Thaw

Frozen foods need to be thawed before cooking. Thawing steak in the microwave is a bad idea. If one plans on cooking some steak at night, let them thaw it in the fridge earlier, preferably in the morning. Remember to put the steak in a covered container before placing it in the refrigerator.

  • Microwave steak uncovered

Cleaning splatters in the microwave can be time-consuming. Cover the steak with something, either a lid or plastic wrap.

  • Use metal bowls

Let metal be the last material to place in your microwave. The material shields and sparks when exposed to high heat like in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe plate or dish.

 Now you have an idea of what to avoid when microwaving steak. Let’s now understand the steps to follow. Microwaving steak saves time from having to clean skillets and grills afterward.

Another Microwave Cooking Topic:

This is how to microwave steak:

What will be needed:

  • Your favorite steak- I will use sirloin steak
  • Salt
  • Pepper

 Step-by-step directions

1. Prepare steak

Retrieve steak from the refrigerator. Leave it to sit covered at room temperature for 2-3 hours to prevent it from drying out in the microwave. Pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel on both sides and season with salt and pepper or seasonings of your choice.

2. Place steak in a microwavable dish

Now lay the steak flatly on a microwave-safe dish and place it in the microwave.

3. Cook

The cooking time for steak should be up to 7 minutes, but it really depends on how you like your steak. If you love it rare, cook for 1-2 minutes, 2 minutes for medium-rare,3 ½ minutes for medium, 4 minutes for medium-well, and 5-7 minutes for well done.

Flip to the other side of the steak in between the cooking process. If the steak hasn’t cooked to your liking after 7 minutes, leave it to cook further. Steak can also be undercooked only if it has been heated longer.

Once cooked, open the microwave door and allow the steak to sit for a couple of minutes before cutting into it. Cutting too soon makes the steak juices run, making the steak dry.

4. Sear

If you undercooked the steak, you would need to sear it in a pan for some time. This step is optional and doesn’t apply to a steak cooked fully in the microwave.

5. Serve

Get the bowl from the microwave when the steak is ready, ensuring you have mittens or potholders. Serve and enjoy.

 Tips for microwaving steak

  • Finish cooking the steak in the pan if you like it firmer on the outside. Sear it for a minute, flip to the other side, and sear at the exact time as the other side for a better and even texture.
  • Remove the large fat sections in your steak. Fat turns out rubbery once cooked in the microwave.
  • A low to medium heat setting is better as it cooks the steak evenly. You might, however, have to cook longer if you use these settings.
  • Tender steak cuts cook well compared to thicker ones. The thicker cuts toughen on the exterior before the interior cooks well.
  • Serve the steak while still hot if you love a juicy steak.
  • Quality and tasty steak might not require seasonings of any kind.
  • Serve with french fries, mashed or baked potatoes, chips, fried eggs, roasted vegetables, or salad that are all great complements to steak.

 Can you microwave beef?

Microwaving beef is an easy method to cook as it is quick and convenient, and even though the flavor of the beef might not be as with other cooking methods, it produces good results. Just ensure you microwave the piece of meat correctly, following the manufacturers’ instructions since there are different manufacturers. The size and power level of the microwave will determine the beef’ cook time.

What you will need:

Steps

  1. Thaw the beef in the fridge for 2 hours.
  2. Place the beef in a microwave-safe dish or container.
  3. Set the power setting to low or medium and cook for up to 2 minutes for even cooking. Keep flipping the beef in 30 seconds intervals so heat distributes evenly.
  4. Ensure the internal temperature of beef hits 1450-1650F to be safe for consumption.

 Tips:

  • Stir the meat occasionally
  • Thinner cuts of beef achieve the correct internal temperatures faster.

How to microwave steak

You can enjoy some steak for dinner cooked in a microwave in just a few minutes if you do it the right way. But what if, after enjoying it, you have some leftover steak? Can you microwave them? Yes, you can!

The leftover steak should be reheated well, so you don’t have a dry and bald-tasting steak in the end. Reheat badly, and you might even make the steak chewy. How you store your steak also determines its quality, so ensure you store it well.

To reheat steak:

  1. Place the leftover steak in a microwave-safe dish or container
  2. Nuke the steak for a minute, then flip it over.
  3. Continue reheating the steak for another minute.
  4. Ensure that the internal temperature of the steak reaches 1650F.

Tips:

  • Don’t reheat the steak for long to prevent it from drying out. Overcooking it makes it stiff, chewy and tampers with the flavor.
  • Practice food safety by handling the steak properly. Improper handling could lead to bacterial growth, a potential threat to food-borne diseases.
  • Follow the needed methods when reheating using a microwave oven, as doing it the wrong way could make the food hazardous.
  • Use the reheat setting on the microwave.
  • Place a clean damp paper towel over the steak to moisten and tenderize it.
  • You will know the steak is well reheated when it starts steaming and producing a meaty aroma.
  • Cooked steak can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Video: Check out what happens! When MICROWAVE a STEAK

Wrap up

So unlike the old adage that steak cannot be microwaved, you now understand that it’s nothing more than just hype. The microwaved steak might not be like grilled steak, but you got the job done anyway, with satisfying end results. Now you can serve the steak and enjoy. A glass of red wine is an excellent complement to steak. 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top