How to Cook Steak in the Oven Without a Cast Iron Skillet?

Last Updated on May 6, 2023 by Shari Mason

Steak is always a good idea, whether for celebrating a special occasion or a Monday night dinner. Juicy and tender steaks make for hearty comfort food.

However, few people cook steak because it’s a complex meat to cook. They think they need a cast-iron skillet to cook the steak perfectly, but what happens if you don’t have a cast-iron skillet?

Keep scrolling if you’re wondering how to cook steak in the oven without a cast-iron skillet.

Page Contents

Top 3 Ways to Cook Steak in the Oven Without a Cast Iron Skillet

1. Cook in Oven Safe Pan or Skillet

Whenever I cook steak at my sister’s house, and there’s no cast iron skillet, I use an oven-safe pan or skillet as a substitute for a cast-iron skillet.

I find an oven-safe pan or skillet more versatile because you can use it in the oven and stovetop.

I also noticed that when cooking steak with an an oven-safe pan, the meat becomes more flavorful than in other cooking methods. Even without a cast iron, you can still enjoy your T-bone steak, ribeye steak, or strip steak.

Preheat the oven to 400° F. Put the steak in the oven-safe pan or skillet for 8 minutes or until it reaches your preferred doneness.

Read: Steps To Cook Frozen Steak In Instant Pot

2. Use A Baking Sheet

Cooking a steak in the oven is one of the most popular methods of preparing it. However, not all ovens have a cast iron skillet that you can use to cook the steak. You can still have an oven-grilled steak even without cast iron.

Baking it on a baking sheet doesn’t require any special equipment. It’s simple. I usually place the steak on the baking sheet and cook it at 400° Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes per side or continue cooking until the desired doneness is reached.

3. Utilize a Wire Rack Inside of a Baking Sheet

While using a cast-iron skillet is one popular way of cooking steak, you can still cook without it. I use a wire rack inside a baking sheet to cook the steak in the oven.

Using a wire rack allows the steak to be cooked evenly and prevents the steak from sticking to the bottom of the pan. This also allows air to circulate around it. I find this method brilliant because it also produces more flavor.

It’s important to remember to use an oven-safe wire rack and not just any metal cooking rack. Also, check how to cook T-bone steaks in a frying pan here.

How Long to Cook Steak

Rare

For thick steaks around 1 1/2 inches and cooking at 450° F, it’s best to sear for 2 minutes and cook for 13-16 minutes in the oven. The internal temperature of the steak should reach 125° F. But at what temperature should you cook steaks on a pellet grill?

Medium Rare

For steaks around the thickness of 1 1/2 inches and cooking at 450° F, sear them for 2 minutes in medium-high heat. Then, bake them in the oven for 16-19 minutes. The meat’s temperature should reach the 135° mark if you want a medium rare steak.

Medium

For steaks around the thickness of 1 1/2 inches and at 450° F, sear them for 2 minutes. Then, bake them in the oven for 16-19 minutes. The steak’s temperature should reach the 135° F mark. Set your desired temperature and leave the meat thermometer in the oven while cooking a steak.

Medium Well

If you want medium well, sear the steak for 2 minutes and cook for 18-20 minutes in the oven. This is for 1 1/2 inches-thick steaks at 450° F. The steak should be 150° F to ensure it’s cooked properly.

For thin steaks, about 1 inch and cook at 450° F, sear for 2 minutes, and cook for 10-12 minutes in the oven.

Well Done

For thick steaks, about 1 1/2 inches at 450° F, sear for 2 minutes, and bake for 20-24 minutes in the oven. The temperature should reach 160° F in the meat thermometer.

Read: Right Way To Cook Fish In The Oven Without Foil

Steak In The Oven Without Cast Iron Skillet Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

1 (1 pound, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick) filet mignon, T-bone, or rib-eye steak)
1 tbsp Kosher salt
2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly Ground black pepper

Instructions:

Leave the steak for 30 minutes until it reaches room temperature. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel.

Turn the broiler to high heat. Place the oven-safe skillet on the oven rack. Place the oven rack at least 6 inches below the heating element and heat the skillet under the broiler for 20 minutes.

Rub the steak with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Season steak with salt and pepper. Spread it evenly on the sides and over the steak. Flip the steak and do the same on the other side.

Place the skillet over high heat. Then, remove the skillet from the oven using an oven mitt. Then, sear the steak for 30 seconds in a hot pan. Flip and sear the other side.

Put the skillet back below the broiler and cook for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, flip the steak and broil the other side.

Remove the skillet from the oven. Transfer the steak to a cutting board. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes.

Serving: 2

“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.”
-Julia Child, American Cook

Tips When Cooking Steak

Here are some tips I usually follow when cooking steak without cast iron skillet:

Preheat your oven to 400° F before you cook a steak.
Choose steak cuts that can be cooked in the oven.
Trim the steak’s excess fat.
Before you cook a steak, season the steak with your favorite seasonings.
Let the steak rest for 5 minutes. By letting it rest, the juices redistribute, making the meat nice and tender. [1 ]
Don’t use a thin nonstick pan because the temperature is too high.

FAQs

What is the best way to cook steak in the oven without a cast iron skillet?

The best way to cook a steak in the oven without a cast iron skillet is by using an oven-safe skillet or pan. Using this method produces more flavor. But what’s the best way to cook a bottom round steak in the oven?

Is it better to cook steak in the oven than on the stove?

Not really. You need the oven and stove to cook a juicy and impeccable steak. To produce the best steak, you need the stove to pan-sear the steak. It gives the steak a browned flavor. The hot oven cooks the steak through.

Can you cook steak in the oven with a regular frying pan?

No, you cannot cook steak in the oven with a regular frying pan. You have to ensure that the pan you use is oven-safe to avoid kitchen mishaps.

Why do chefs put steaks in the oven with a cast iron skillet?

Chefs put steaks in the oven with a cast iron skillet because cast iron heats evenly and retains heat well.

However, using our tricks above, you can still cook a good steak without a cast iron skillet.

Final Thoughts

A delicious steak dinner would sound good if you’re a meat lover. However, steak cooking might be complicated for some. They think they need cast-iron skillets to have a perfectly cooked steak.

You can still cook steaks without a cast iron pan or skillet. Steak cooking is possible using a baking sheet, oven-safe skillet, or wire rack inside a baking sheet. However, take note of cooking temperatures and cooking times needed for various steak cuts.

For food safety reasons, USDA recommended a minimum internal temperature of 125° F and a rest time of at least 3 minutes for beef, pork, lamb steaks, chops, and roasts. [2 ]

References:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/cook-the-perfect-restaurant-steak-336360
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2011/05/25/cooking-meat-check-new-recommended-temperatures

Author
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Shari Mason

Co-Founder & Senior Writer at Eat Pallet

Hey, I'm Shari! After more than a decade in the restaurant industry, I've decided to share my experience online with you here. Learn more about us here or you can contact me directly [email protected].