5 Different Ways on How to Reheat Leftover Steak

When it's steak night at your house, everyone comes to the table on time. No matter if you are a beginner in the kitchen or someone who really knows how to properly cook, still the next day, you will want to be sure to find the best way to reheat steak so the left-overs don't lose their flavor and texture.

That 'melt in your mouth' steak from last night could become dry and tasteless if you aren't careful. You have invested a lot of time on them. Read on to find a few ways to make your left-overs taste just a good as freshly served steaks.

To produce a medium-rare steak, a chef would begin the cooking process in the oven. The meat would then be removed to sear it in a hot skillet. If you are reheating steak in a low heat oven then searing it, it will be only a little less juicy than a fresh one. The crusts will turn out even more crispy. Here is a simple method for reheating.

Step 1: First, start by placing your left-over steaks on a wire rack that is set over a rimmed baking sheet. In an oven preheated to 250°F, put the baking sheet on the oven's middle rack. 

Step 2: Allow the steaks to warm up to a temperature of 110°F. This should take approximately 30 minutes for 1½ inch steaks. The timing will be different depending on the thickness of your steak. Check the temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. Remove them from the oven when they have reached this temperature.

Step 3: In a 12-inch skillet, heat one Tablespoon of vegetable oil on high heat until it begins to smoke. While it is heating, use a paper towel to pat the steaks dry. When the oil has begun to smoke, very carefully place to steaks into the skillet and let them sear on each side for 60 to 90 seconds. This will make them crisp.

Step 4: Remove them from the hot skillet and let them rest for five minutes after which they should be medium-rare at the center, about 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit. You can test them again with your meat thermometer. They are ready to be served. 

Sous-vide is a French term that simply means cooking in a vacuum. Your left-over steaks will be placed inside a heat-resistant bag, vacuum sealed and placed in water for a few minutes to a few hours.

The sous-vide method is perfect for super tender steaks like filet mignon. This will let the meat warm up evenly and allow the steaks to retain moisture.

Step 1: You will need to find name brand plastic bags made for steaming, able to withstand the heat. 

Step 2: Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them come up to the room temperature. This will take around 30-40 minutes and will make the time needed to reheat much faster. 

Step 3: Find a pot large enough to hold the steaks and the plastic bag without touching the sides. Fill it with water and turn on the heat. Let the water heat but you don't want the water to boil. For meats, It is recommended to not be more than 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Step 4: After the water is warmed, place the steaks in the plastic bag. Make sure to remove all the air that you can before you seal it.

Note: You can even buy a sous-vide machine to remove the air and make the whole process much simpler but it is not necessary. 

Step 5: The compressed bag shouldn't touch the edges of the pot while the steaks are reheating. If necessary, hold the bag away from the sides of the pot with a pair of tongs, otherwise, the meat won't heat evenly. Depending on how thick your steaks are, this will take between five and eight minutes. 

Step 6: The meat can be left in the warm water until you ready to eat. Basically, once the meat reaches the water temperature, it will stop heating, so there is not over-heating or over-cooking.

Note: This is a optional step but I think it gives the final touch to the steak and you should do it.

Step 7: Preheat a skillet, stainless steel or cast iron and carefully place each steak in the hot skillet. Quickly sear the meat on each side and then it is ready to be served.

Another great method for reheating your steak is by using the oven. In about 30 minutes you will have a tasty repeat of delicious steaks if you reheat them in the oven. It will be well worth the time.

Step 1: First, start by preheating the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Step 2: Get out your baking tray and a wire rack to set inside. Using a wire rack allows the steaks to reheat on both sides completely. Put the steaks on top of the rack.

Step 3: Place the tray in the oven, leaving them there for 20 to 30 minutes. Check them often so they don't overcook and dry out. Let them reach an internal temperature of 100 – 110 degrees Fahrenheit. After they have reached the recommended internal temperature, remove them from the oven and let them sit for a few minutes before serving.

Warming your steak using beef broth is probably one of the most easiest and simpliest methods. The only things you will need besides your steaks are a skillet, preferably one that is non-stick and some beef broth. It really is that simple.

Note: It is recommended to use a non-stick skillet, so you won't need to add any oil to keep the steak from sticking later in the process.

Step 1: Add the beef broth to your skillet and let the liquid heat up until it just begins to boil. 

Step 2: After the beef broth reaches the boiling point, add the steak to the skillet. The hot beef broth will warm up the meat in only a minute or two. The hot broth will keep the steak from drying out and losing its texture.

Using microwave to reheat food is one of the most common and popular ways. But, when it comes to reheating steak, it is not the best method to use. You should only use a microwave to reheat a steak if you just do not have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

One thing that you must do in advance is to make sure you save the juices that were left in your skillet or pan when you originally cook it. Keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight bag or container along with the leftover steaks.

Step 1: Put your steaks in a microwave-safe dish and then pour the juices from the original cooking over the meat. However, if the juices were not saved, you can use a small amount of an alternative such as an Italian dressing, a thin gravy or steak sauce. 

Step 2: The dish should be covered with some kind of plastic wrap. This will keep the moisture in the steaks.

Step 3: Move the heat setting of the microwave to low or medium. Heat them for 30 seconds at a time. You will need to constantly watch and keep checking the temperature. The steaks need to reach a temperature of between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. A microwave will heat your steaks very quickly, so take care that they aren't left in there for too long or they will dry out completely and lose all its moisture.

The second recommended method for reheating leftover steak is the sous-vide method. This method will warm up the steak evenly and will keep it moist. The only downside of this method is that not everyone will have access to the sous-vide materials. Some of the other options may be faster, but we feel that slowly reheating your steaks in the oven is the best.

It really depends on the reheating method. The best method for reheating steak without drying it out is the sous-vide method. It will warm up the meat evenly and keep it moist.

If you are using another method, then just make sure to check the meat often and always keep the temperatures at the recommended levels. Using high temperatures just to speed up the required time will also dry out the meat fast.

If you are going to reheat steak in oven, preheat the oven at 250°F and place the meat to warm up for 20-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 110°F.

You can reheat steak in the microwave although it is not the best reheating method. Microwave will dry out the juices from your steak and the only way to keep the meat moist with this method is to save the meat juices from the original cooking.

Different kind of meats have different storing rules. Cooked meat in general, including steak, can be stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.

Let us know what was the best way to reheat steak in your household. Please feel free to leave a comment about your experience with one of these methods.