Steak is one of the greatest meats of all time. This tender, flavorful cut of meat has a rich taste, perfect texture, and versatility that make it irresistible. Most people know that steak comes at different cook levels, and many prefer medium-rare, but that’s not all you’re stuck with.
What are the different types, and how do they change the steak’s texture and flavor? Let’s look at every one of the different steak cook levels and compare them.
Blue Rare
A blue rare steak is as close to raw as you can get. It’s seared for a minute on each side, leaving the center cool and bright red. This cook level offers a uniquely soft, almost jelly-like texture and a bold, beefy flavor. It’s a choice for those who appreciate the natural taste of high-quality meat with minimal cooking.
Rare
A rare steak gets a little more time on the heat. It has a warm, red center and a soft texture that’s slightly firmer than blue rare. The flavor is still very much beef-forward, but the gentle cooking starts to develop a subtle crust that adds a nice contrast.
Medium-Rare
Medium-rare is often called the gold standard for steak. It features a warm, red center with a pinkish hue toward the edges. This level strikes a perfect balance between a juicy, tender interior and a well-seared, flavorful exterior. The fat has rendered just enough to add richness without the steak losing its moisture.
Medium
A medium steak has a warm pink center with very little red. The meat is firmer and has less juice than a medium-rare steak. This cook level provides a more uniform texture throughout and a milder beef flavor, which some people prefer. It’s a solid middle-ground choice.
Medium-Well
Cooked a bit longer, a medium-well steak has only a hint of pink in the very center. It’s much firmer and has a chewier texture. Most of the fat has rendered out, so the steak is less juicy but carries a pronounced cooked flavor from the seared crust.
Well-Done
A well-done steak is cooked until there’s no pink left, resulting in a uniformly brown or gray center. This steak is the firmest and driest of all the cook levels. Some people argue you shouldn’t cook steak well-done because it can mask the meat’s natural flavor and create a tough texture. Others enjoy the deep, roasted taste and chewy consistency it offers.
Find Your Perfect Steak
Now that you understand the different steak cook levels, you should have a better idea as to which will appeal to you. Maybe you prefer the classic medium-rare with its perfect balance of tenderness and flavor. Or if that’s too rare, you can also choose between medium or medium-well.
Whatever your taste preference, steak remains delicious at any level. Let’s all enjoy this incredible meat together!
