Did you know that you can take an affordable piece of chuck steak, choose an appropriate cooking method, and transform it into a restaurant-quality piece of beef? It’s true. Chuck steak might have a lower price tag than other cuts of steak, but that certainly doesn’t mean you should overlook it if you want a high-quality, tasty meal.
There are several ways to cook chuck steak and achieve drool-worthy results, but each method offers something a little different. We’re going to outline the best ways to cook a chuck steak in this guide so that you can choose the method that works best for you.
Chuck steak comes from a cow’s shoulder area. This area is naturally exercised, which tends to make the meat that comes from it lean and, consequently, a bit chewy. That’s why chuck steak is sometimes overlooked in the meat department, especially by those looking for upscale cuts they believe can make the best steak dinner.
However, chuck steak is super flavorful and can become tender when prepared and cooked properly. Now, chuck steak differs from a chuck roast in that chuck steak is sliced from a roast. They both contain the same type of meat, but chuck roast is much thicker, making it ideal for slow cooking it, usually in a slow cooker. Meanwhile, chuck steak usually works best when cooked quickly using hot temperatures, allowing it to crisp on the outside while remaining tender and juicy inside.
With the oven at around 325 degrees, it’s best to cook a roast for about one hour per pound. The above recipe is written for a 3-pound chuck roast and cooks for about three hours, or until fork tender. Use the one hour per pound rule as a guideline, then trust your senses when checking for doneness.
Selecting the Best Chuck Steak
The best place to look for chuck steak is at a local butcher’s shop. A butcher can cut a chuck roast right in front of you when you order steaks, so you can size up the quality of the steak and roast when buying it.
No worries if you don’t have a butcher available, though. Here’s what to look for when browsing the shelves at your grocery store’s meat department:
- Fresh, red flesh: The freshest beef is red rather than a dull pink, brown, or gray. In addition to color, use the bounce-back test. Gently press two fingertips into the meat. It should bounce back quickly. If the shape of your fingers stays indented, the meat may not be fresh.
- Fat content: Chuck steak doesn’t have a lot of marbling, or strips of fat, running through it, but it should have some. More importantly, look for cuts that don’t have large chunks of fat on the outside, which you’ll need to trim before cooking.
- Labels: Look at the packaging and use-by dates on the label to get an idea of how fresh they are. Also, consider buying USDA Choice or USDA Prime meat, if available, as they meet the USDA’s strict standards for beef quality.
Before making chuck steak, consider two preparation options. First, you can use a marinade to help tenderize the steak. This is a good idea if you have a couple of hours to spare before cooking your steak, or you can leave it in the refrigerator marinating overnight.
Here are a few marinades that work well with chuck steak:
Alternatively, you can opt for not using a marinade. With this method, you’ll remove the steak from the refrigerator, pat it dry, salt it on both sides, and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Then, you can season it with your choice of herbs and spices. We recommend sprinkling black pepper and rosemary on both sides.
While waiting for your steak to be ready to cook, begin preparing your grill, pan, or cast-iron skillet, depending on the cooking method you want to use.
The cooking methods below are commonly used to cook chuck steak. They provide quick, high heat to sear the outside without drying out the rest of the steak.
Before using any of these three cooking methods, remember to pat marinated steak dry. If you didn’t marinate your steak, salt the steak on both sides. Then, leave the steak at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
Pan-searing is a go-to method for many steak enthusiasts. With this method, you’ll sear each side of the steak in a hot pan with oil or butter, then turn down the heat to allow the steak to continue cooking to your desired doneness.
- Preheat a large pan to high heat with 1 tbsp of oil or butter.
- Transfer the steaks to the pan and sear on each side for 2-3 minutes, turning with tongs.
- Turn the heat to low, continuing to cook to your preferred doneness (about 4-5 additional minutes for medium rare).
- Rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
Cooking chuck steak on the grill offers a similar high-heat, quick-cook method as pan-searing while delivering smoky grill flavors. You can use either a charcoal or gas grill, but be sure to have one part of the grill prepared with high heat and another area ready to go with low heat. Alternatively, you can reduce the heat after searing.
- Oil the grill grates to prevent the steak from sticking before preheating it.
- Move the steaks to the high-heat area of the grill, sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, using tongs to flip them over once.
- Transfer the steaks to the low-heat area of your grill or lower the heat, continuing to cook for another 4-5 minutes for medium rare.
- Rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
For more doneness, leave the steaks on the grill for an additional 2-5 minutes.
Cast Iron Skillet Chuck Steak
Cast iron skillet chuck steak gets cooked the same way as pan-seared chuck steak, only you’ll use a cast iron skillet to cook the steak. Cast iron holds heat in longer than a regular skillet, though, so you may need less cooking time if cooking to medium-rare.
Cast iron skillets can go on the stove or in the oven, so this is a good method to use if you want to cook your chuck steak to medium or above. This way, you can transfer your steak and skillet directly into the oven to finish cooking. Here’s that process:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and the skillet over high heat with 1 tbsp of oil or butter.
- Sear the steaks on each side for 1-2 minutes, using tongs to turn them once.
- Use an oven mitt to transfer the skillet to the middle rack of the oven, cooking for 2-5 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness level.
- Rest the steaks at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
How To Turn Tough Meat Into Tender Perfection
FAQ
How long does it take to cook chuck meat?
Is 3 hours enough for slow cooking beef chuck?
How should a chuck be cooked?
Does chuck get more tender the longer you cook it?
How long does a chuck roast take to cook?
This should take about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the roast. Let it rest: When the beef chuck roast is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meat more tender.
How long do you cook a chuck steak?
For 2 1/2 to 3 pounds of chuck steak, bake the steak for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. The chuck steak will be completely tender when it’s finished braising and ready to serve. If you check the temperature, the steak should be between 145 degrees F (62 C) for medium-rare and 175 F (79 C) for well-done.
How to cook a beef chuck roast?
Cover the pan with foil or a lid. Take the temperature: Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast, avoiding the bone and the fat. Cook the beef chuck roast until it reaches an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare, or 140°F (60°C) for medium.
How long do you cook a chuck roast in a slow cooker?
Cover the chuck roast and cook for 4-8 hours. Place the slow cooker lid over the roast and turn the slow cooker to low or high. Depending on which setting you choose, cook the chuck roast for the following time: Let the chuck roast cool and serve immediately.