10 Mouthwatering Ways To Cook Top Blade Steak To Perfection

Looking to impress your guests or satisfy your own palate? Top Blade steak, often known as flat iron steak, might be your best bet when seeking a flavorful yet tender cut. But how do you cook this cut to perfection, ensuring every bite is as succulent and juicy as it can be? Here’s a comprehensive guide to ten mouthwatering methods for cooking top blade steak. Whether you're a grilling enthusiast or prefer the subtleties of slow cooking, we’ve got you covered with methods that will elevate your culinary skills.

🥩 Pan-Searing

The simplest, yet one of the most rewarding methods for cooking top blade steak is pan-searing.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=pan-seared%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Pan-seared top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Prepare: Season your steak with salt and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.

2. Heat: Preheat your pan over high heat until it's smoking hot. Use a cast iron skillet if possible for even heating.

3. Sear: Lay the steak in the hot skillet, cooking for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Important: Don't move the steak around too much to allow for that perfect crust to form.

4. Rest: After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.

<p class="pro-note">✨ Note: For added flavor, finish by basting the steak with butter and herbs during the last minute of cooking.</p>

🍳 Sous Vide

For those looking for precision and consistency, sous vide offers unparalleled results.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=sous%20vide%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Sous vide top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Vacuum Seal: Season the steak, vacuum seal it in a bag, ensuring it's airtight.

2. Set Water Bath: Preheat your sous vide cooker to 130°F for medium-rare.

3. Cook: Submerge the steak in the water bath and cook for 1-3 hours.

4. Sear: Remove from the bag, pat dry, and sear on high heat for 1 minute each side to create a crust.

<p class="pro-note">🌡️ Note: Sous vide eliminates the guesswork from cooking times, ensuring an even cook throughout the steak.</p>

🌶️ Marinated and Grilled

Grilling top blade steak with a marinade can infuse it with flavors that will dance on your palate.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=marinated%20grilled%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Marinated grilled top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Marinate: Prepare a marinade of your choice (soy, garlic, ginger, etc.), and marinate the steak for 2-24 hours.

2. Grill: Grill on high heat, turning once, for about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.

3. Rest: Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes before slicing.

🍖 Reverse Sear

This method cooks the steak low and slow, then sears it at the end for a flavorful finish.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=reverse%20seared%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Reverse seared top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat to 250°F.

2. Slow Cook: Roast the seasoned steak on a rack until it reaches an internal temperature of 120°F.

3. Sear: Heat a skillet to high, sear the steak for 1-2 minutes per side.

4. Rest: Rest for 5-10 minutes.

🌿 Braised in Wine

For those who love rich, deep flavors, braising the steak in wine can transform it into something sublime.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=braised%20top%20blade%20steak%20with%20wine" alt="Braised top blade steak in wine" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Sear: Sear the steak in a hot Dutch oven.

2. Deglaze: Add red wine to the pan, scraping the fond (brown bits) for flavor.

3. Braise: Add stock, herbs, and braise in the oven at 300°F for about 2 hours.

🔥 Smoky BBQ

A BBQ method can give your steak a smoky profile that’s hard to resist.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=smoky%20bbq%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Smoky BBQ top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Prepare BBQ: Set up for indirect heat with wood chips for smoke.

2. Cook: Grill over indirect heat, closing the lid, until it reaches desired doneness.

🧈 Butter-Basted

Butter basting not only imparts flavor but also helps keep the steak moist and tender.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=butter-basted%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Butter-basted top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Sear: Start with a sear in a hot pan.

2. Baste: Add butter, garlic, and herbs, basting the steak as it cooks.

🍲 Slow-Cooked

For those who appreciate the ultimate tenderness, slow cooking can break down the muscle fibers.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=slow%20cooked%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Slow-cooked top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Prepare: Sear the steak first, then add to a slow cooker with aromatics.

2. Cook: Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours.

🌡️ Sous Vide Butter Baste

Combine the precision of sous vide with the rich taste of butter basting.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=sous%20vide%20butter%20baste%20top%20blade%20steak" alt="Sous Vide Butter Baste top blade steak" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Sous Vide: Cook at 130°F as before.

2. Sear and Baste: After sous vide, sear in a skillet, basting with flavored butter.

🌊 Steak Fajitas

For a more versatile dish, turn your steak into mouthwatering fajitas.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=top%20blade%20steak%20fajitas" alt="Top blade steak fajitas" /> </div>

Steps:

1. Marinate: Marinate the steak with fajita spices.

2. Cook: Grill or pan-fry the steak, then slice and serve with sauteed peppers and onions.

<p class="pro-note">🍋 Note: Don't forget to let your steak rest before slicing to ensure juicy slices for fajitas.</p>

To conclude, top blade steak offers a canvas of flavors and textures, adaptable to various cooking techniques. Whether you want a quick sear or a slow, tender cook, each method brings out different nuances of this versatile cut. Experiment with these methods to find your favorite way to cook top blade steak, or mix and match for even more culinary adventures.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What makes top blade steak a good choice for grilling?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Top blade steak has a good balance of marbling and connective tissue, which, when cooked right, results in a tender and flavorful steak. Its flat shape is perfect for even grilling.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I use top blade steak in a stir-fry?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, due to its tenderness when sliced thin, it’s excellent for quick-cooking methods like stir-frying, ensuring quick preparation without losing quality.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How can I ensure my top blade steak is not tough?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Cook it to medium-rare or medium, slice against the grain, and let it rest after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping it tender.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>