What Temperature Do You Cook Steaks On A Pellet Grill?

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Shari Mason

Cooking a steak on the grill may not be as simple as it seems, but luckily, the pellet grill is here to help. This revolutionary device removes the burden of worrying about smoke, charcoal, and gas while preparing your meal.

But, you also need to consider the kind of steak, seasoning, and its doneness techniques if you want the best results. 

So, the intriguing question is, at what temperature do you cook steaks on a pellet grill? Read on and find out the ideal temperature when cooking pellet grill steak.

Ideal Temperature to Cook Steaks on a Pellet Grill 

The ideal temperature to cook steaks on a pellet grill is around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, with the grill grates heated as well.

The good thing is that cooking with a pellet grill could give a consistent result and maintains a set temperature.

However, your desired doneness will vary depending on its thickness, internal temperature, and cooking time.

But how do you cook steak in the oven without a cast iron skillet?

Factors To Consider 

Thickness

Cooking steak on a pellet grill with your preferred doneness will rely on the thickness of your steak. 

Thick steaks, 1.5-inch thick or more, usually need to be seared first for two to three minutes per side, starting on low heat. 

But if your steak is thinner, say, less than an inch thick, you can cook it quickly with a high-heat sear.

Read: Cooking Salmon On A Pit Boss Pellet Grill

Duration

The steak’s thickness correlates with the cooking duration because a thick steak takes longer to cook than a thinner steak.

You can have your thin steak ready for about eight to ten minutes. But you could cook a thicker steak of about 1.5 inches for around 12 to 14 minutes.

Meanwhile, more than 2 inches in thickness might take 16-18 minutes to cook steak. But how do you cook frozen steak in an instant pot?

Type of Meat

To cook the perfect steak, the type of meat is one of the most important things to consider. Tender cuts or meats with good marbling are the best options for easy grilling. 

Some popular types of meat for grilled steak include ribeye, filet mignon, T-bone, sirloin, and strips. [1] Learn how to cook T-bone steaks in a frying pan here.

Why Should You Cook Steaks at 400 Degrees? 

It would be best to cook steaks at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit to give you a tender and juicy texture. However, the steak’s doneness will be based on its internal temperature.

Cooking steaks usually has a wide range of opinions depending on the type of doneness you prefer. Some prefer it at a lower temperature, and some choose a high temperature for faster cooking.

However, pellet grill steaks cooked at lower temperatures might cook the steak longer and not give your desired juicy meat texture. 

Internal Temperature for Steaks 

The color and grill marks of the steak are not a reliable source of its doneness, but the internal temperature. [2]

To check it, you can use a good instant-read thermometer or a designated meat thermometer. 

Rare

A perfect rare steak cooked in a pellet grill usually takes around 2 minutes per side. Cook it at 125 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature.

A rare steak has a cool red juicy center nearly comparable to a slice of raw meat but is browned on the outside. 

Medium Rare

Medium rare steak has a 130 to 135 degrees internal temperature and a grill time of around 3 minutes per side. Its final internal temperature results in a warm red meat center.

Medium rare steak is the most recommended steak doneness by many chefs. It has the perfect amount of tender chewiness when cooked on pellet grills.

Medium

You can cook medium-done steaks on a hot grill for about 4 minutes per side at 140 degrees internal temperature. 

Medium-done steaks have pinkish meat at the center but more browned meat overall. It should have a rich brown but not black. 

Medium Well Done

Medium well-done is cooked on a pellet grill at 150 degrees for about 5 minutes per side of the steak. It has a hint of pink meat at the center from a good searing on all sides.

Medium well-done steak is for those people who don’t like pink meat on their steaks.

Well Done

You can cook a well-done steak for around 6 minutes per side at 160 degrees. It has been cooked through and has almost no pink on its meat. 

Tips When Cooking Steak on Pellet Grill 

• Always preheat your pellet grill before putting the steaks to cook them evenly.

• Pat dry your steak with a paper towel before cooking it on a pellet grill and adding seasoning. Patting it dry will remove excess moisture and keep it from cooking unevenly.

• Generously season your steak. Putting herb spices, kosher salt, and pepper on your steak will give it a more flavorful and delicious steak.

• Use the reverse searing method on thick steaks for more evenly cooked steak, controllable cooking, and to prevent them from overcooking.

FAQs 

What is the best temperature to cook a steak on a pellet grill?

The best temperature to cook a steak on a pellet grill is around 400 °F or 204 °C if it’s direct heat. 

But if you prefer the reverse-sear method, start cooking your steak on a pellet grill at around 225 °F or 107 °C. You can change it again after an hour to around 400 °F.

Do you flip steaks on a pellet grill?

Yes, you can flip a steak on a pellet grill and do it halfway through the cooking. Otherwise, one side of the steak might be overcooked. 

However, don’t flip for the first minute or two, especially when you have a larger cut of steak. 

Let’s Sum It Up 

The ideal temperature to cook perfect steaks on the grill is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. But it is best always to preheat your pellet grill with the grill grates before adding your steaks.

Also, you should consider the thickness and type of meat. Its cooking duration will vary on the thickness of the steak. The reverse sear works well with thicker steaks in a pellet grill. 

Remember that you can grill your steak on pellet grills from rare to well done or enjoy it at your desired temperature. Happy grilling!

References:

1. https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/best-steaks-for-grilling 
2. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/doneness-versus-safety