How to Cook a New York Strip Steak

When you are learning how to cook a New York strip steak, there is one thing that you must focus on learning above all others - getting the doneness right.  This is the number one aspect that restaurants focus on when training cooks, and it is the key to producing a quality meal at home.  To do this, you will need to use a two stage cooking process, grilling it hot and fast at first, then letting it finish slowly over gentle heat.  Just keep a few simple guidelines in mind and you will find that it is not nearly as hard to learn to cook a New York Strip Steak as you may have feared.

1. Start by preheating your grill or skillet over high heat, as hot as you can make it.  The key when learning how to cook a New York strip steak is balancing a seared, crusty exterior with a moist, juicy interior.  If you are using a grill, turn one side as hot as it will go and leave the other side off.  If you are using a cooktop, heat your skillet as hot as it will go and preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Rub your steak down with a little canola or vegetable oil.  This is partially done to prevent sticking, but also to help meat move into the meat and cook it properly.
3. Season the meat thoroughly on both sides.  Use whatever you like, but keep it simple.  Salt and pepper are a great starting point.
4. Place the meat in the pan and sear on both sides.  When learning how to cook a New York strip steak, you may be tempted to keep checking and moving the meat.  Resist this urge.  Leave it alone for three minutes before you flip it.
5. Transfer the meat to indirect heat, either the oven or cold side of the grill, so that it can finish cooking.  This two stage cooking process is key to how to cook a New York strip steak properly.  Temperature is the only way to know when your steak is done at this point.  126 - 132 degrees F is medium rare, widely considered to be where beef is at its finest.
6. Remove the meat from the heat and allow it to rest for five minutes before consuming.