How to Cook Perfect Steaks on a Charcoal Grill

How to Cook Steaks on a Charcoal Grill

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly grilled steak, seared on the outside and juicy on the inside. But if you’re not used to cooking on a charcoal grill, it can be tricky to get the results you want.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of grilling a steak on a charcoal grill, from choosing the right steak to cooking it to perfection. We’ll also provide tips on how to avoid common mistakes, so you can be sure to enjoy a delicious and juicy steak every time.

So fire up your grill and let’s get started!

Step Instructions Tips
1 Preheat your charcoal grill to medium heat. You want the coals to be hot but not glowing red.
2 Oil the grates of your grill. This will help prevent the steaks from sticking.
3 Season the steaks with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or chili powder.
4 Place the steaks on the grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or 5-6 minutes per side for medium.
5 Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the steaks to be more tender.

How to Cook Steaks on a Charcoal Grill

Grilling steaks over charcoal is a classic way to cook them, and it’s a great way to get that delicious smoky flavor. With a little practice, you can cook perfect steaks every time.

Here are the steps on how to cook steaks on a charcoal grill:

Preparing the Steaks

The first step is to prepare the steaks. You’ll need to choose the right cut of steak, marinate or season the steaks, and bring the steaks to room temperature.

Choosing the Right Cut of Steak

The best cuts of steak for grilling are those that are tender and have a good amount of marbling. Some good choices include ribeye, strip loin, tenderloin, and flank steak.

Marinating or Seasoning the Steaks

Marinating or seasoning the steaks before grilling is optional, but it can help to add flavor and tenderness. If you’re marinating the steaks, make sure to do it for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 24 hours. If you’re seasoning the steaks, simply rub them with a mixture of salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.

Bringing the Steaks to Room Temperature

It’s important to bring the steaks to room temperature before grilling them. This will help them cook evenly. To do this, simply remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Building the Charcoal Fire

The next step is to build the charcoal fire. You’ll need to use charcoal briquettes, not lump charcoal. Lump charcoal burns hotter and faster, which is not ideal for grilling steaks.

To build the fire, start by placing a few pieces of newspaper in the bottom of the charcoal grill. Then, add a layer of charcoal briquettes on top of the newspaper. Light the newspaper and let the charcoal briquettes burn for about 15 minutes, or until they’re covered in ash.

Once the charcoal briquettes are ready, spread them out evenly in the charcoal grill.

Grilling the Steaks

Now it’s time to grill the steaks! The following are the steps on how to grill steaks on a charcoal grill:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Place the steaks on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired doneness.
3. Flip the steaks and cook for another 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Here are some tips for grilling steaks on a charcoal grill:

  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steaks. Steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare, 160 degrees Fahrenheit for medium, and 170 degrees Fahrenheit for well-done.
  • Don’t overcrowd the grill. Grilling too many steaks at once will lower the temperature of the grill and make it difficult to get a good sear on the steaks.
  • Baste the steaks with butter or oil while they’re grilling. This will help to keep them moist and flavorful.
  • Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the steaks will be more tender.

Grilling steaks on a charcoal grill is a great way to cook them. With a little practice, you can cook perfect steaks every time. So fire up the grill and enjoy!

Grilling the Steaks

Grilling steaks on a charcoal grill is a great way to cook them to perfection. The charcoal provides a consistent heat source that will help to sear the outside of the steak while leaving the inside juicy and tender.

To grill steaks on a charcoal grill, you will need:

  • Charcoal grill
  • Charcoal
  • Steaks
  • Meat thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Brush
  • Aluminum foil

Preheating the grill

The first step is to preheat the grill. To do this, light the charcoal and let it burn for about 15 minutes. Once the coals are covered in ash, they are ready to use.

Placing the steaks on the grill

Once the grill is preheated, you can place the steaks on the grate. The steaks should be placed on the hot side of the grill. If you have a two-zone grill, you can place the steaks on the direct heat side. If you only have a one-zone grill, you can place the steaks on the hot side and then rotate them halfway through cooking.

Determining how long to cook the steaks

The amount of time you cook the steaks will depend on their thickness and desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, cook the steaks for 3-4 minutes per side. For a medium steak, cook the steaks for 4-5 minutes per side. For a well-done steak, cook the steaks for 5-6 minutes per side.

Flipping the steaks

After 2-3 minutes of cooking, flip the steaks. You can use tongs to flip the steaks. Be careful not to press down on the steaks as this will release the juices and make them dry.

Resting the steaks

After cooking the steaks, let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing them. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the steak and make it more tender.

Serving the Steaks

Once the steaks have rested, you can slice them and serve them. You can serve the steaks with your favorite sides, such as grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Cutting the steaks against the grain

When cutting the steaks, it is important to cut them against the grain. This will help to make the steaks more tender. To cut the steaks against the grain, you can use a sharp knife and cut the steaks at a 45-degree angle.

Pairing the steaks with sides

There are many different sides that you can pair with steaks. Some popular sides include:

  • Grilled vegetables
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Rice
  • Salad
  • Baked beans

Enjoying the steaks!

Once you have grilled and sliced the steaks, you can enjoy them! Steaks are a delicious and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed on any occasion.

Grilling steaks on a charcoal grill is a great way to cook them to perfection. The charcoal provides a consistent heat source that will help to sear the outside of the steak while leaving the inside juicy and tender. By following these steps, you can grill the perfect steaks every time.

How to Cook Steaks on a Charcoal Grill

Q: What is the best type of charcoal to use for grilling steaks?
A: The best type of charcoal to use for grilling steaks is lump charcoal. Lump charcoal is made from hardwoods that have been burned down to their natural state, without any added chemicals or binders. This makes it a clean-burning fuel that produces a lot of heat and a nice smoky flavor.

Q: How much charcoal do I need for grilling steaks?
A: You will need about 1 pound of charcoal per 30 minutes of grilling time. So, if you are grilling steaks for 30 minutes, you will need 3 pounds of charcoal.

Q: How do I light charcoal for grilling steaks?
A: There are a few different ways to light charcoal for grilling steaks. The most common way is to use a chimney starter. A chimney starter is a metal cylinder with a grate at the bottom. You fill the chimney starter with charcoal, then light the charcoal at the bottom. The charcoal will slowly light from the bottom up, and you can use the chimney starter to pour the hot coals onto your grill.

Another way to light charcoal is to use a propane torch. A propane torch is a handheld device that produces a high-temperature flame. You can use the propane torch to light the charcoal directly on your grill.

Q: What temperature should I grill steaks at?
A: The ideal temperature for grilling steaks is 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This will give you a nice sear on the outside of the steak while leaving the inside juicy and tender.

Q: How long do I cook steaks on a charcoal grill?
The cooking time for steaks will vary depending on the thickness of the steak and your desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, you will want to cook it for 3-4 minutes per side. For a medium steak, cook it for 4-5 minutes per side. For a well-done steak, cook it for 5-6 minutes per side.

Q: How do I know when my steaks are done?
There are a few ways to tell when your steaks are done. The first is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak and take the temperature. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 135 degrees Fahrenheit. For a medium steak, the internal temperature should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit. For a well-done steak, the internal temperature should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another way to tell when your steaks are done is to check the color. A medium-rare steak will be pink in the center, with a brown crust on the outside. A medium steak will be brown all the way through. A well-done steak will be brown all the way through, with no pink in the center.

Q: What are some tips for grilling steaks on a charcoal grill?
Here are a few tips for grilling steaks on a charcoal grill:

  • Use a good quality charcoal.
  • Light the charcoal properly.
  • Preheat the grill to the desired temperature.
  • Oil the steaks before grilling them.
  • Grill the steaks for the correct amount of time.
  • Let the steaks rest before serving them.

By following these tips, you can cook delicious, juicy steaks on your charcoal grill every time.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to cook steaks on a charcoal grill. We covered everything from choosing the right steak to preparing the grill and cooking the steak to perfection. We hope that you found this information helpful and that you will enjoy cooking steaks on your charcoal grill soon.

Here are some key takeaways from this blog post:

  • Choose a steak that is at least 1 inch thick and has good marbling.
  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  • Oil the steak and season it with salt and pepper.
  • Grill the steak for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
  • Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

With a little practice, you will be able to cook perfect steaks on your charcoal grill every time. So what are you waiting for? Get grilling!

Author Profile

Kelsey Hammons
Kelsey Hammons
I was born and raised in the fabulous state of Maryland but recently decided to pack up my stuff and move to the Midwest city they call Chicago.

I hope to capture all of my life’s adventures of living in the windy city. AKA the food I cook, my journey to the Chicago Marathon, the books I read and the trashy TV shows I watch. I’m a health-nut, book-worm and exercise fiend.

Join me, Kelsey, on this exciting journey as I embrace the challenges and joys of my new life in Chicago. From mastering the art of healthy cooking to hitting the pavement for marathon training, my blog is a window into my world of self-discovery and fun.

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