Fried steak is a dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a very simple dish to make and can be done with a little bit of oil, salt, pepper and any spice you want to add. However, it can be a complicated dish to cook in the wrong frying pan. While it may seem simple, you should not underestimate or neglect the quality of your frying pan. You need a good non-stick pan that is thick and durable to hold up to this hearty meat. A flimsy frying pan will create torn and flaky steak, which is not the way you want to enjoy your meal. If you don’t have a good frying pan, you will not want to cook fried steak.
Tips For Making The Best Steak
When starting your steak, you should choose a bigger than usual size. This will allow you to coat it completely with the sauce and seasonings. You should also buy meat that is fresh or frozen, so that it can be sliced evenly and consistently throughout the piece.
Use ample seasonings for steak. Salt and pepper are the basic ingredients for steak seasoning. Your seasoning mixture should be about one tablespoon of each per pound of steaks; however, if you want it spicy then proceed based on your preference. Many people love to add salt and pepper to their meat while it is cooking. If you do not want the meat seasoned, you can choose to remove some of the seasoning. However, remember that if you remove some of the seasoning your steak may be bland. Frying Onions are one of the best things you can do for steak. If they are on your steak when cooked it brings out a more intense flavor inside of your meat. They are not added in directly but on top of what is already there. Serve with French Fries or baked potatoes with steak gravy.
Painting the pan is an important part of cooking fried steaks. Your ideal pan for this type of meat is one that has a non-stick surface, but not too advanced. A good balance of heat and heat retention is best achieved when using this type of pan. If you are really confident with the pan you are using or you have never made this dish before, coat your surface with oil immediately after heating up your pan to make sure it does not stick while cooking.
What To Look For In A Pan For Frying Steak
Heat Conduction and Retention
The best frying pan for steak will conduct and retain the heat in a very even fashion. You do not want to have a pan that has hot spots in it, as they can burn the steak and leave crisp browning on the outside of the meat. It is important to make sure that your frying pan is capable of retaining heat in a way that does not leave you with bad tasting meat.
Material
The best frying pan for steak is going to be made of a material that can withstand the high temperatures and impacts of cooking. You will not want to use an inferior pan, as it could warp and crumble underneath the intense heat. A good stainless steel frying pan is capable of holding up against this kind of pressure and it provides a durable base for your meals. Iron is another good option, but you will want to make sure that it is coated in a thermo-plastic food grade coating.
Design and construction
A good frying pan for steak would be designed to allow the fat and juices to drain from the steak. This will create a nice crust on the outside of the meat that can be torn off with ease. You do not want to trap and retain any of the juices in your pan, so you will want to use a design that has a drainage lip.
Size and Weight
You will want to make sure that your frying pan is large enough to cook all of your steaks at once. Also, it will be important that the pan weighs enough to keep the steaks and keep them from moving about. You do not want to use a super light or thin frying pan, as they will not be able to hold up under the pressure.
Seasoning
As far as seasoning goes, you will want to season your pan with a nice vegetable oil, butter or lard. You can season it with any spice that you like but be sure not to overdo it. There needs to be enough of the seasoning on the pan so that the juices and meat do not soak into the pan and become mushy. Instead, you want to have a nice thin layer on the surface of the frying pan.
Cooking Surface
A good frying pan should be able to provide you with a cooking surface that is large enough for you to cook all of your meat at once. You do not want to have the meat too close together, or it will stick together. You should allow them to sit far enough apart so that they are easy for you to flip and move about without damaging the cooking surface.
Cleaning and Maintenance
When you are finished cooking, you will want to clean your frying pan immediately. You can use a scrubber to remove the excess oil and any remnants of food from the surface of the pan. A good non-stick frying pan is designed to be safe to clean in this manner, but some people prefer to use soap and water if they do not have a dishwasher.
What Are The Best 5 Frying Pans For Steak?
- Utopia Kitchen Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet (12.5 inch)
Utopia kitchen is a popular brand that makes cast iron skillets. It is an affordable option for steak lovers who are looking for a larger skillet. The thick cast iron construction offers even heat conduction and retention, while the pre-seasoning adds extra flavor to your food.
This product has some great features including:
* Durable cast iron construction
* Professional pre-seasoning
* Easy to clean surface
* Large 12.5 inch size
The best feature about this pan or any cast iron pan is that they are naturally nonstick. The pre-seasoning also adds an extra layer of flavor, which will keep your food tasting great. Although this is a heavy pan, it is still easy to use and the handle is well designed so that you can hold onto it without any issues. One of the biggest reasons to buy this pan for frying up steak is the impressive construction. You’ll absolutely love it.
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
This item is great for frying up steak with its 12-inch size, pre-seasoning and even heat conduction capabilities. You can easily bake or grill with this pan as well. This is the favorite brand of many people around the world.
Here are some of it’s best features:
* Vintage Cast Iron
* Pre-Seasoned
* Easy to Clean
* Comfortable handle
Cast iron skillets are really great for many reasons, but the biggest is that they offer even heating and high durability.
- Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron Covered Skillet
Manufactured by Tramontina, this enameled cast iron covered skillet comes in handy when frying steak. The proper enamel coating will protect your skillet against major damages while the thick cast iron pan offers even heating and great durability.
This product has some great features including:
* High quality enamel coating
* Durable cast iron construction
* Easy to clean surface
* Comfortable handle
The high quality enamel cooked will make sure that your skillet never rust or bend. Another great thing about this skillet is that it also offers a comfortable handle for easy use. Its performance is top notch, something that really enticed me.
- Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet
This is another great product from Le Creuset, a brand with a very long history of high quality cast iron skillets. It comes with exceptional enameled construction and durability.
Why this one?
* High quality enamel coating
* Long lasting cast iron construction
* Easy to clean surface
* Comfortable handle.
This skillet is wonderful for cooking steak as well as other types of meat and vegetables. It is very easy to clean as well. It’s a really great product at a really low price.
This item is a fantastic option for those looking for a high quality cast iron skillet that will last them for years to come.
- Granite Stone Diamond Nonstick Family Frying Pan
Why this one?
* Nonstick surface allows for quick and easy clean-up
* Durable construction
* Great baking and broiling capability
* Dishwasher safe
This product comes with outstanding performance, something that I am very happy to see. This product will really appeal to you if you are looking for a non-stick frying pan with good durability. The only thing I hate about this product is that it does not come in any other sizes or designs.
Conclusion
The best frying pans for steak are a family favorite, and a very popular option for frying up fish, chicken and other types of meat. They are versatile in that they can be used to fry fish or vegetables, as well as grilling steaks and other meats. In addition, they also make excellent baking pans. So if you are looking to add a quality pan to your kitchen’s cooking lineup, make sure to look for one made from cast iron or enameled cast iron.