The Truth About Letting Steaks Come to Room Temperature

TLDRLetting steaks come to room temperature before cooking them is a myth. There is no scientific evidence to support this practice. The tenderness and juiciness of the steak are not affected by letting it sit at room temperature. The best methods for cooking steaks are using sous vide or reverse sear techniques.

Key insights

🥩Letting steaks come to room temperature before cooking is believed to result in more even cooking.

🌡️The FDA recommends not leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.

🍖Cooking steaks using the sous vide method or reverse sear method ensures a perfect medium-rare temperature throughout.

🍳Traditional pan-frying methods do not require letting the steak come to room temperature.

💡There is no significant difference in tenderness or juiciness between steaks that were let to come to room temperature and those that were not.

Q&A

Why do some chefs recommend letting steaks come to room temperature?

Some chefs believe that letting steaks come to room temperature allows for more even cooking.

Is it safe to leave steaks at room temperature?

According to the FDA, food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth. It is safer to keep steaks refrigerated until ready to cook.

What is the best method for cooking steaks?

The sous vide method or the reverse sear method are both excellent techniques for cooking steaks to perfection.

Do traditional pan-frying methods require letting the steak come to room temperature?

No, traditional pan-frying methods do not require letting the steak come to room temperature. The steak can be cooked directly from the refrigerator.

Is there a noticeable difference in tenderness and juiciness between steaks that were let to come to room temperature and those that were not?

There is no significant difference in tenderness or juiciness between steaks that were let to come to room temperature and those that were not. The cooking method has a more significant impact on the final result.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Letting steaks come to room temperature before cooking is a common practice.

02:59The FDA recommends not leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.

06:18Cooking steaks using the sous vide method or reverse sear method ensures a perfect medium-rare temperature throughout.

08:30Traditional pan-frying methods do not require letting the steak come to room temperature.

10:15There is no significant difference in tenderness or juiciness between steaks that were let to come to room temperature and those that were not.