Here is an absolutely foolproof, easy, and quick way to make a juicy steak with a crisp, peppery crust in the oven. Add a loaf of bread, a salad, and a bottle of wine, and you have an easy and delicious dinner you can make for weeknights and special occasions alike.
Good Steak Is Worth It
The first and most important step in cooking a great steak is to buy a great steak. The best way to do this is to go to a local butcher, preferably one who either raises the animals himself or sources them from a local farm, or find a store that sources sustainably and humanely raised meat. Besides being a more ethical buying choice, this meat is usually of better quality and tastes significantly better.
I buy my steak from a butcher at my local market, Bluescreek Farm Meats. They raise the animals on a farm nearby and dry-age the beef for at least a couple weeks — I love their steaks! There is always a difference in taste when buying from good folks like them.
Bottom line: Buy the best steak you can.
No matter how expensive it is, it will still be cheaper than eating out. Expect to pay top price per pound of steak. If the price seems too good to be true, in this case it probably is.
Which Cut to Buy?
Rib-eye steaks are my personal favorite, although this method will work with any favorite cut of steak: rib-eye, T-bone, filet mignon, strip-steak, or any others.
Make sure the steak you buy is at least one-inch thick — if it’s thinner, shorten the cooking time and check the steak early so you don’t overcook it. Also, buy steaks that have some white fat around the edge and a good amount of fat marbling the interior.
One pound of steak will easily feed two, and can be stretched to three or even four people.
Our 15-Minute Oven Method
This method takes 15 minutes, tops. Have the rest of your meal ready, the candles lit, and the wine poured before you start cooking. You’ll have a beautifully juicy, medium-rare steak, with crisped and crunchy edges, before you know it! This is probably our favorite way to cook a steak — it’s even easier than grilling.
5 Easy Sauces to Dress Up a Steak
This steak is so quick and easy that it leaves you time for making a little special sauce to go along with it. This can be as simple as great guacamole, or as special as a mustard-shallot sauce. If you’re looking for extra-easy sauces, check out these three-ingredient steak sauces.