The Butcher’s Guide To Cooking Steak!
Rare, Medium or Well? Your Steak Doneness Guide
Choosing how you like your steak cooked is part of what makes steak night special. From soft and juicy to fully cooked through, every doneness has its fans. With the right heat, timing and resting, you can get your steak just the way you like it every time.
Before You Start
Great steak starts before it even hits the pan.
- Take your steak out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before cooking
- Pat it dry with kitchen roll
- Season generously with salt and pepper
- Heat your pan, grill or BBQ until very hot
- Add a little oil to the pan, not the steak
Rare
Rare steak is very soft, extremely juicy and cool red in the centre.
How to cook:
- Sear in a hot pan for about 1–1½ minutes per side
- Turn only once to build a good crust
- Rest for 3 minutes
Best for: Fillet, sirloin, ribeye
Medium Rare
Medium rare is tender and juicy with a warm red centre. This is the most popular doneness.
How to cook:
- Cook for about 2 minutes per side
- Baste with butter, garlic and herbs near the end
- Rest for 3–5 minutes
Best for: Most premium steak cuts
Medium
Medium steak has a pink centre with a firmer texture but still plenty of juice.
How to cook:
- Cook for about 2½–3 minutes per side
- Turn regularly for even cooking
- Rest for 5 minutes
Best for: Sirloin, rump, ribeye
Medium Well
Medium well steak is mostly cooked through with just a little pink in the centre.
How to cook:
- Cook for about 3½–4 minutes per side
- Lower the heat slightly so it cooks through without burning
- Rest for 5 minutes
Best for: Rump, sirloin
Well Done
Well done steak is fully cooked through with no pink.
How to cook:
- Cook for about 4½–5 minutes per side
- Finish on lower heat so the centre cooks without drying out
- Rest for 5 minutes
Best for: Thinner steaks or well-marbled cuts
Extra Butcher’s Tips
- Always rest your steak – it keeps it juicy
- Use tongs, not a fork, to avoid losing juices
- Add butter, garlic and herbs at the end for flavour
- Cut across the grain for tenderness
- Let your steak speak – good meat doesn’t need much
If reading this has made you hungry, don’t hesitate to explore our range of quality steaks. Choose your favourite cut, order online in minutes, and enjoy butcher-quality steak delivered straight to your door.
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