Introduction
Cooking steak on the barbecue is one of life’s great pleasures. The smoky, charred flavors are unmatched when meat hits a hot grill. However, getting the cook time right for your preferred doneness can be tricky. Overcook a nice cut of meat and you’ll end up with a tough, chewy disaster. Undercook it and you’ll be met with raw disappointment.
So how long should you actually barbecue steak for perfect results? The cooking time depends on a few key factors:
Thickness of the Steak
The thicker the cut of meat, the more time it will need on the grill. Thinner steaks like skirt or flank steak may only need 6-8 minutes total for medium doneness. A 1-inch thick sirloin or ribeye may need 12-15 minutes. And a 2-inch porterhouse or T-bone may require 18-25 minutes to reach medium doneness throughout.
Aim for these general grill times based on steak thickness:
- 1/2 inch thick – 4-6 minutes per side
- 1 inch thick – 8-12 minutes per side
- 1 1/2 inches thick – 10-15 minutes per side
- 2 inches thick – 12-18 minutes per side
Keep in mind that cooking times are per side. You’ll want to flip the steak halfway through for even cooking.
Temperature of the Grill
Hotter grills cook faster. If your barbecue is ripping hot at 500-600°F, the steak will brown quicker and require less time than grilling at a lower temp like 300°F.
Crank the heat for steaks 1-inch thick or less. Moderate heat around 400°F works well for thicker cuts so the outside doesn’t burn before the inside cooks through.
Desired Doneness
Your preferred level of doneness impacts cooking time significantly. Rare steak only needs a quick sear on each side. Medium and well-done require longer grill times to fully cook through.
Use these grill times per side as a guide for doneness:
- Rare – 2-4 minutes
- Medium rare – 4-6 minutes
- Medium – 6-8 minutes
- Medium well – 8-10 minutes
- Well done – 10-12+ minutes
Always allow thicker steaks extra grill time so the middle isn’t cold and red. Check for doneness before taking meat off the grill.
Bone-In vs Boneless
Bone-in steaks take longer to grill than boneless. The bone continues to conduct heat towards the center as it grills, slowing the cooking process slightly.
For comparison, a 1-inch boneless ribeye may take 10 minutes total cook time while a bone-in ribeye of equal thickness may need 12-15 minutes. Go by the thickness of the meat, not the overall height with the bone.
Flipping Frequency
Some cooks swear by only flipping steak once during grilling. But more frequent flips (every 1-2 minutes) can help meat cook more evenly. Don’t be afraid to flip! Just avoid poking or prodding meat too much so juices aren’t lost.
Use a Meat Thermometer
For foolproof doneness, always rely on an instant-read meat thermometer rather than guessing grill times. Insert into the thickest part of the steak and target these internal temps:
- Rare – 120-125°F
- Medium rare – 130-135°F
- Medium – 140-145°F
- Medium well – 150-155°F
- Well done – 160°F+
This way you’ll know for sure that your steak is cooked to your liking, regardless of thickness or grill temperature.
Resting Time
After grilling, always allow steaks 5-10 minutes of resting time before slicing and serving. This allows juices to redistribute so they aren’t lost on the cutting board. During resting, the internal temperature will rise 5-10°F as well.
Sample Grill Times for Popular Steak Cuts
Here are some examples of approximate grill times for specific steaks at 1-inch thickness grilled over medium-high heat to medium doneness:
- Ribeye – 10 minutes total (5 minutes per side)
- New York Strip – 8-10 minutes total (4-5 minutes per side)
- Filet Mignon – 9-12 minutes total (4-6 minutes per side)
- Flank Steak – 8-10 minutes total (4-5 minutes per side)
- Skirt Steak – 8-12 minutes total (4-6 minutes per side)
- Flat Iron – 7-10 minutes total (3-5 minutes per side)
The times will vary based on desired doneness, grill temperature, thickness, bone vs boneless, and your flipping preference. Always rely on a meat thermometer for the most accurate doneness.
Conclusion
Mastering the ideal grill time for barbecuing steak requires some trial and error. But keeping these key factors in mind will help you achieve steakhouse quality results in your own backyard. Get the grill raging hot, flip occasionally for even browning, and grill until an instant-read thermometer shows your desired doneness. After a quick rest, it will be ready to enjoy with confidence. Perfectly grilled steak is a true summer treat.