Smoked Steak

When it’s steak night, you know there’s going to be a restaurant-quality dinner on your plate. But you know what makes a juicy steak even better? Smoke-kissed flavor from a pellet grill or smoker. Making smoked steak is easier than you might think, and it will result in dinner that’s intensely flavored with plenty of complexity.

Our recipe will show you how to smoke a steak—specifically, two ribeyes. When a ribeye is cooked slowly at low heat, it becomes an even more tender cut of meat. You could also choose other cuts of meat like porterhouse, T-bone or New York strip. As for the best wood to use, pair cherry, mesquite or hickory with beef for great flavor.

How long does it take to smoke a steak?

At a minimum, it will take 45 minutes to an hour to smoke a steak to medium-rare. Depending on your desired doneness—if you prefer your steaks more on the side of well-done—the steak may take additional time to cook. It’s important to use a meat thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of your steak.

Smoked Steak Ingredients

• Steak: This recipe calls for two ribeyes. You could also use T-bones or New York strips.
• Salt: Season your steak well with a bit of salt. You can also cook with a gourmet salt, like garlic salt, if you prefer.
• Pepper: Ground black pepper lightly seasons the steak for cooking without overpowering it.

Directions

Step 1: Season the steaks

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Season the steaks with salt and pepper. Preheat your smoker to 225°F.

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Add wood chips or pellets to the smoker according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Step 2: Smoke the steaks

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Place the steaks in the smoker.

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Smoke the steaks for one hour or to your desired degree of doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°F; for medium, 140°; and for medium-well, 145°).

Step 3: Let them rest

Remove the steaks from the smoker. Let them stand for five minutes before serving them.

Editor’s Tip: Letting steaks rest is a crucial part of the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the steak. This creates melt-in-your-mouth tender bites.

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Smoked Steak Variations

• Go half-smoked: If the flavor is a bit too strong for you, try smoking your steak for half the time. To finish cooking it all the way through, use a cast-iron pan on the stovetop. Melt 1/2 cup of butter, add two cloves of garlic and two stems of fresh thyme. Cook the aromatics for at least a minute. Add the steaks, and cook them for another three to four minutes, using a spoon to baste the steaks with butter during the last one to two minutes of cooking.
• Add a sauce: While you don’t necessarily need it, smoked steaks can still be basted with your favorite barbecue sauce. Slather it on once the steak is almost cooked through to add an extra a layer of flavor.
• Infuse it with rosemary: When you’re seasoning your steak with salt and pepper, try adding minced rosemary into the mix. This will bring herbaceous flavor to the steak.

How to Store Smoked Steak

Cooked steak should be stored in the refrigerator. It’s important to store it in an airtight container or wrapped in a layer of storage wrap and aluminum foil.

How long does smoked steak last?

Just like a grilled or baked steak, any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and used within three to four days.

How do you reheat smoked steak?

Freshly cooked steak is unmatched, but you can heat up any leftovers. Heat it up in a 250° oven for 20 minutes. You can also reheat steak in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Smoked Steak Tips

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How do you keep steak moist when smoking it?

A smoker is a dry environment. Smoking a steak without spraying it will still be delicious, but it will stay even more moist and juicy with a bit of help. Use a spray bottle to spritz the steak with apple cider vinegar, apple juice or beer to add another depth of flavor.

What can you serve with smoked steak?

Steak is versatile enough to serve with just about anything. Pair the smoky-flavored steak with sauteed mushrooms or Parmesan-roasted broccoli. Try it with cheesy mashed potatoes or roasted red potatoes.

How else can you use smoked steak?

While smoked steak can be served with a variety of steak sides, it can also be incorporated into many dishes. Whether right off the smoker or eaten as leftovers, smoked steak is a wonderful addition to enchiladas and tacos. You can also use it sliced over a salad, in a sandwich or even on a pizza.