How To Broil T-Bone Steak

T-bone steaks are an incredibly popular beef cut that can be prepared and cooked in many ways. This cut is so tasty in fact, that most steakhouses use it as their number one steak cut!

But, we are always looking for new and exciting ways to prepare meat. And while pan-frying and grilling work great for T-bone steaks, there are always some alternative methods to try.

So, how do you broil T-bone steaks? First, set your oven to its broiling setting and allow it to preheat a couple of minutes. Then, simply add the steak and cook it for 4-5 minutes per side. It’s as easy as that! For larger cuts, pre-roast them a couple of minutes and finish them off with the broiler.

In this article, we will look at the best ways to cook T-bone steaks, including exactly how to broil them. And, we have even included how to broil food items in case you weren’t sure.

What Is T-Bone Steak?

A T-bone steak refers to a specific cut from the short loin, specifically where the loin narrows. This cut comes from cows are also contains a T-shaped bone in it.

Overall, it contains a moderate amount of marbling (fat) which adds some moisture and flavor.

Now, it is important to know that different countries have varying definitions of a T-bone steak. So, just make sure you know exactly which cut your recipe refers to.

These steaks can be cut into a range of thicknesses. However, they are usually about an inch thick. Naturally, the thinner the steak the quicker it cooks.

The same goes for T-bone steaks that don’t contain a lot of fat. They will cook quickly and have a higher risk of coming out dry.

Choosing A Good Quality T-Bone Steak

There are a couple of factors to consider when choosing the perfect T-bone steak. These rules also generally apply to all other cuts of meat.

First, you have to choose the size and thickness. Now sizes will vary depending on what size (and age) the cow was. The larger the steak, the more it weighs and the more you will ultimately pay.

Furthermore, the thickness of the steak is important to consider. Again, this will affect the price of the steak.

However, it will also affect the preparation and cooking method you need to use. Thicker cuts take longer to cook and may dry out with some cooking techniques.

However, a cut that is too thin will definitely dry out, but can also become tough. So again, the technique you choose has to factor in the size of the steak.

Next, you can have a look at the physical characteristics of the meat. Fresh meat should always have a bright fresh color. T-bone steaks have a red color with some white marbling.

If your product has been vacuum sealed and isn’t tight anymore, it means that the package has been punctured.

And finally, the meat shouldn’t be wet. If there is a ton of moisture or liquid inside the packaging, it was either defrosted or kept under the wrong (and potentially dangerous) conditions.

Choosing The Best Cooking Method

T-bone steaks are made to be cooked on high heat for a short period of time. This allows the meat to cook while remaining juicy on the inside. And, it is also the perfect cut of meat that can be cooked to varying degrees. 

These cooking methods include grilling, broiling, and pan-searing. The longer you leave the T-bone steak on the heat, the more it will be cooked. And, the thicker the steak will be, the longer it will take to cook.

You can also cook this steak in the oven, but first, you have to sear or broil it.

Searing the steak will help develop some delicious roasted flavors and, most importantly, help build a golden-brown, crunchy crust on the exterior of the steak.

What Is Broiling?

Now, before looking at exactly how we will broil a T-bone steak, you have to understand what broiling is and how to set your oven to the broiling setting. 

Broiling is a popular cooking technique that uses only the top heating element in your oven.

Usually, when roasting or baking items, you use all the heating elements from the top, bottom, sides, and back (whichever your oven contains). This supplies heat from all sides to evenly cook your food item.

But, by broiling items, you are only using heat radiated from the top. This method works great for thin pieces of meat or leaner cuts.

The technique will also help add additional color to the item, help crisp it up, and ultimately, add some more flavor. It works at around 500-550°F.

How To Use The Broiler In Your Oven

All ovens will have a broiler setting, whether they are convection ovens or conventional ovens. If it has a top heating element, it can broil.

Now, the oven will have some type of knob or button that has a little symbol on it. The symbol will often show a line or squiggle at the top of a block.

This indicates which heating element will work. The symbol should only show the top heating element.

A straight line indicates heat that applies. While this will work, the squiggly line refers to a much higher heat being used. So, if you have that option, use it. 

Safety Issues

Now, broiling is a bit dangerous because of the intense heat used. For older ovens, it can cause a temperature build-up that could lead to a fire breaking out. 

So, first, make sure about the ovens instructions on broiling. If it indicates that you keep the door open, then do so. If you are unsure, have a look at the age of the oven.

If it is more than a decade old (which uses old technology), then you should rather crack the door.

But, if it is a newer model, you should be safe with a closed door. Regardless, always keep an eye on the food when broiling it. Rather safe than sorry.

How To Broil A T-Bone Steak

Below is an in-depth guide for broiling T-bone steaks. It is incredibly easy and produces delicious juicy cooked steaks!

1. First set your oven on the broiler setting before allowing it to preheat. Again, make sure whether your oven door should be open or closed to prevent any accidents.
2. Next, add the seasoning of your choice onto the steak. This can be anything from simple salt and pepper, to a specialty steak rub. You can also add some garlic, ginger, or dried herbs. But, stay away from fresh ingredients as they will burn and not add any flavor.
3. Place the T-bone steak in an oven tray.
4. Allow the steak to broil for 4-5 minutes. Then, turn the meat over and repeat on the other side. For thicker steaks, you may want to leave it in for another minute or two per side, just to ensure it is fully cooked.
5. Once cooked, remove the steak from the oven and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes. This prevents moisture loss and will keep the steak juicy when cut.

Tips And Tricks For Broiling T-Bone Steaks

• If you have very thick T-bone cuts, then roast the cut first before finishing it off with the broiling setting.
• You can use a wide variety of seasoning ingredients, but always make sure they are dried. Rubs are our go-to option for T-bone steaks. They add a ton of flavor and won’t burn. Burnt flavoring ingredients (like garlic or fresh herbs) will add a bitter flavor to the meat that isn’t appealing.
• Your steak has been cooked to perfection when it has reached an internal temperature of 125-130°F, which is a perfect medium-rare.
• There are a variety of pans you can use for broiling that will all affect the final outcome of your steaks. We prefer using a broiler pan, which consists of a pan and grid. The grid allows the hot air to circulate around the food, which evenly cooks it too. You can however also use a foil-lined sheet pan, which is much easier to clean and provides extra heat from the bottom to cook the meat.
• Never use your broiler for more than 15 minutes. This is just a standard rule that professionals use. The heating elements simply become too hot which has some risks. So, if you need longer cooking times, rather pre-bake or roast the item before finishing it off on the broiler setting.
• Never use glass or non-stick cookware to broil T-bone steaks. The intense heat required will shatter glass (even if it is oven-proof). Non-stick pans will heat so much that they could potentially release toxic vapors.

If you’re a fan of the show “Parks and Recreation”, here’s a fun video on cooking a t-bone steak from the folks over at Babish Culinary Universe!

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