The Top 3 Ways to Cook Steak Indoors (No Grill Required)

Taylor Peaden
The Top 3 Ways to Cook Steak Indoors (No Grill Required)

The Top 3 Ways to Cook Steak Indoors (No Grill Required)

When the weather is cold or you don’t have access to a grill, many people wonder how to cook steak indoors without losing that steakhouse flavor. The good news is that some of the best steaks you’ll ever make can be cooked right in your kitchen.

In this guide, you’ll learn the top 3 ways to cook steak indoors that deliver incredible results every time: cast iron skillet, reverse sear, and sous vide. These methods work perfectly for ribeye, New York strip, filet mignon, and more — and they don’t require a grill.

If you keep high-quality beef in your freezer, these techniques make it easy to enjoy a restaurant-level steak any night of the week.

1. Cast Iron Skillet Steak (Best for Crust and Flavor)

If you’re looking for the best way to cook steak indoors, the cast iron skillet is the gold standard.

Cast iron holds heat better than any other pan, which allows you to get a deep, flavorful crust while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

How to Cook Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet

  1. Remove the steak from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes.

  2. Pat it dry and season generously with salt and pepper.

  3. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot.

  4. Add a high-smoke-point oil and place the steak in the pan.

  5. Sear for 2–3 minutes per side.

  6. Add butter, garlic, and herbs and baste the steak for 30–60 seconds.

  7. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Why This Method Works

  • Creates the best crust

  • Fast and simple

  • Delivers true steakhouse flavor

Best cuts for this method: Ribeye, New York strip, filet mignon

2. Reverse Sear Steak in the Oven (Best for Thick Steaks)

The reverse sear is one of the best ways to cook thick steaks indoors and get perfect doneness from edge to edge.

Instead of searing first, you slowly cook the steak in the oven and finish it in a hot pan. This gives you more control and incredibly even results.

How to Reverse Sear a Steak

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F.

  2. Season the steak and place it on a rack over a baking sheet.

  3. Cook until the internal temperature is about 10–15°F below your target doneness.

  4. Heat a cast iron skillet until very hot.

  5. Sear the steak for 60–90 seconds per side.

  6. Let rest and serve.

Why This Method Works

  • Perfect for thick cuts

  • Nearly edge-to-edge doneness

  • Hard to overcook

Best cuts for this method: Thick ribeye, thick New York strip, tomahawk steaks

3. Sous Vide Steak at Home (Most Foolproof Method)

If you want the most consistent and foolproof way to cook steak indoors, sous vide is the answer.

Sous vide cooks your steak in a temperature-controlled water bath, guaranteeing perfect doneness every single time. You then finish it with a quick sear for crust.

How to Cook Steak Sous Vide

  1. Season your steak and seal it in a bag.

  2. Cook in a water bath at your desired temperature (for example, 129°F for medium-rare) for 1–2 hours.

  3. Remove the steak, pat it completely dry.

  4. Sear in a very hot pan for 30–60 seconds per side.

  5. Serve immediately.

Why This Method Works

  • Impossible to overcook

  • Extremely juicy results

  • Perfect for expensive steaks you don’t want to mess up

Best cuts for this method: Any cut, especially premium steaks

Which Is the Best Way to Cook Steak Indoors?

If you’re wondering what is the best way to cook steak without a grill, here’s a simple breakdown:

  • Want the best crust and flavor? → Use a cast iron skillet

  • Want perfect doneness for thick steaks? → Use the reverse sear

  • Want foolproof, consistent results? → Use sous vide

All three methods are excellent and give you steakhouse-quality results right at home.

Pro Tip: Finish Your Steak with Compound Butter

No matter which method you choose, adding a slice of garlic herb or lemon butter compound butter on top of your steak while it rests will instantly take it to the next level. The butter melts into the steak and creates a rich, restaurant-style sauce with zero effort.

Why Cooking Steak at Home Saves You Money

Cooking steak at home is one of the easiest ways to eat better and save money. When you buy high-quality beef in bulk and keep your freezer stocked, you avoid:

  • Overpaying at restaurants

  • Overpaying at grocery stores

  • Last-minute takeout decisions

With great beef at home, a steakhouse-quality dinner is always just minutes away.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Grill for Great Steak

You don’t need a grill to cook an incredible steak.

  • The cast iron skillet gives you the best crust

  • The reverse sear gives you perfect doneness

  • Sous vide gives you foolproof consistency

Master these three methods and you’ll be able to cook perfect steak indoors any time of year.