We’ve all been there. You splurged on a gorgeous steak dinner, only to face a sad, gray hunk of leftover meat the next day. You know there’s not many leftovers when you grill the perfect steak, right? Luckily, with the right methods, you can revive that steak and enjoy a delicious meal without sacrificing flavor or texture. I did all the experimenting so you don’t have to – enter my foolproof guide on how to reheat steak like a pro!
Here’s the truth: reheating steak isn’t rocket science but it does require a basic skill set. I’m giving you my favorite all kinds of kitchen setups, from the trusty oven to the speedy microwave.
So, grab your leftover steak (or that forgotten one hiding in the back of the fridge), and get ready to enjoy a second chance at steak night!
🥩 Best Methods for Reheating Steak
You can enjoy a perfectly juicy and flavorful reheated steak with the right approach! The popular methods below are convenient, and each comes with its own advantages.
📌Tip: Better safe and sorry! Check out how to tell if a steak is bad before reheating if those leftovers have been waiting in the fridge for a while.
⏲️ Oven
👉Option 1: Wire Rack Method | Heat the oven to 250°F. Remove the steak from the refrigerator for 20 minutes and up to 1 hour to bring it down to room temperature. Place the steak on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Cook until internal temperature reaches 110°F.
👉Option 2: Foil Pouch Method | Place the steak in an aluminum foil pouch and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil. Heck, add a little bit of butter instead as butter and steak is never a bad thing. Reheat until the internal temperature reaches 110°F.
👉Option 3: Finishing Sear | Use one of the methods above and when the steak reaches about 105°F, pull it out of the oven and sear it on a hot cast iron skillet for 1-2 minutes.
👑Best for: Preserving texture and flavor.
📟 Microwave
The microwave is not the ideal way to reheat steak but it’ll work in a pinch. Keep in mind the microwave can easily turn your steak dry or tough.
The steps below will help you revive that leftover meat while maintaining its moisture and tenderness.
- Always remove the steak from the refrigerator to come to room temperature for at least 20 minutes before cooking.
- Place the steak on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel.
- Heat at 30-45-second intervals, flipping the steak in between, until the internal temperature reaches 110°F.
👑Best for: Speed and convenience.
🍳 Cast Iron Skillet
👉Option 1: Whole Steak | Remove steak from the refrigerator to come to room temperature for 20 minutes. Heat the cast iron skillet to medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil in the skillet and place the room-temperature steak in the skillet and cook until the internal temperature reaches 110°F.
👉Option 2: Sliced Steak | Cut the steak into thin slices and heat them up in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes.
👑Best for: Outer crust.
♨️ Air Fryer
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator to come to room temperature for 20-60 minutes.
- Heat the air fryer to 350°F and cook the steak until the internal temperature reaches 110°F.
- Check the steak every 2 minutes as the air fryer will cook this faster.
👑Best for: Speed and a slightly crispy exterior.
🔥 Grill
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Make sure the steak has time to come to room temperature for at least 20 minutes (and up to 1 hour) so it doesn’t dry out.
- Brush the steak with a little bit of olive oil and place on the grill grate.
- Reheat until the steak has an internal temperature of 110°F.
👑Best for: Adding a smoky, charred flavor.
📌Important Tips for Perfect Reheated Steak
Nailing reheated steak is not impossible. Follow these tips and you’ll never face a sad, dry steak again!
🥩 Bring to Room Temperature
Remember how you shiver when you step out of a warm shower into a cold room? Your steak feels the same way!
Bringing it to room temperature (about 20 minutes minimum, ideally an hour) before reheating prevents it from seizing up and ensures it cooks evenly.
🌡️ Internal Temperature is Key
Even if your eye is trained to determine the doneness when cooking a steak from fresh, it’s a bit trickier when reheating one.
A meat thermometer is your best friend when it comes to reheating steak. Aim for an internal temperature of 110°F (43°C) if your steak was originally cooked medium-rare and you want the same doneness after reheating. It’s tough to not overcook and achieve a true medium-rare for re-heating. The best best for it is to bring the temp down and not overcook.
Given that, you might want to aim higher for a medium steak – around 145°F (63°C), which is also USDA’s recommendation for safe reheating.
🌿 Additional Flavor Boosters
Reheating is your chance to get creative! Here’s how you can add a little extra oomph:
- A pat of butter: Melted over your steak as it rests? Pure indulgence.
- Fresh herbs: A sprinkle of chopped rosemary or thyme adds a touch of freshness.
- Sauces to the rescue: Got a favorite sauce? Try a spoonful of black garlic aioli or a dollop of herb butter. I’m a big fan of a zesty kick – avocado corn salsa or a bright chimichurri sauce are some of my favorite ways to dress up a steak.
FAQs
In terms of food safety, yes, steak can be reheated more than once. However, this is not a forgiving cut of meat to reheat. With each reheating the steak will progressively dry out and become tougher.
Ideally, you should reheat steak only once, so try not to reheat more than you can eat.
Reheating steak with sauce is a great way to add moisture and extra flavor. Here are method-specific tips:
🔹Oven: Cover your steak loosely with foil to prevent the sauce from drying out.
🔹Microwave: Cover with plastic wrap or reheat in a microwave-safe dish with a lid to prevent splashes and drying out.
🔹Skillet: This method works well for sauced steak. Reheat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm. Monitor closely to avoid burning the sauce.
🔹Grill & Air Fryer: These methods are not recommended for sauced steak, as high direct heat can cause the sauce to burn before the steak is fully warmed.
The wire rack allows for better air circulation and more even reheating compared to a baking sheet, heat-proof skillet, or baking dish.
Nevertheless, these alternatives can also be used. Line them with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and you’re good to go!
Properly stored cooked steak can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Once it’s completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a ziploc bag or an airtight container before transferring it to the fridge.
For more in-depth information on steak shelf-life, check out our guide on how long is steak good in the fridge.
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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