Can You Microwave Steak (And How To Do It)

It is a good job that you came to the internet to find out the answer to this question. Because if you had any chef friends, and you asked them, then things would likely end badly for you.

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Microwaving a steak is a big no no in the world of beef. This type of meat is commonly regarded as a luxury, and so should be treated as such.

But this is the 21st century, and unlike our grandparents who had to do as they were told, we can do whatever we want. And if that is cooking a steak using microwaves inside of a small metal cube, instead of a hot grill, or a sizzling frying pan, then so be it.

The short answer is yes, you can microwave a steak, and in this article we will tell you how to do it.

Microwaving Steak

It is best for you to understand how a microwave will actually cook steak before you go and do it. So let’s quickly look at that first.

When you press the heat button, a microwave will blast whatever is inside it with…microwaves. These are absorbed by the food’s molecules, and they become agitated. This simply means that they move and this movement produces heat.

There is an old wives tale that microwaves cook from the inside out, but this is not exactly true. Unlike the heat from a flame or regular cooker, microwaves do penetrate beyond the surface of food. But they do not reach much further down than an inch.

Although microwave heat penetrated into food, it does not always cook evenly. More modern models of microwaves with rotating plates help to minimize the effect of this.

Despite this., it can still be difficult to get a consistently cooked piece of meat from the microwave.

Microwave Steak Recipe

A microwave always simplifies things, and this recipe keeps it plain and simple. So you are going to need:

And for sides? Well a steak dinner always goes down well with some veggies. Mashed or roasted potatoes are a good choice. And so are carrots, peas, and caramelized onions.

We will not go into detail about the sides, and will let you discover how to cook them. But those are some good options.

How To Microwave Steak

Now for the part you have all been waiting for. Let’s get down to business and learn how to actually do it.

The first thing that you are going to want to do is remove the steak from the fridge, and leave it out for an hour or so. This will give the steak time to warm up to room temperature. And this helps prevent it from becoming dry and flavorless when microwaved.

Now grab some paper towels and gently pat the steak with it. You should do this because it will remove any excess residue created whilst the steak warms to room temperature. And excess residue can cause the steak to cook unevenly. So this simple trick makes a big difference.

And now the steak is ready to log into the microwave. If you choose to season the meat, then you can either do this now, just before you pop it in, or after it has cooked. Some say to cook a steak on high heat in the microwave, and for about 7 minutes.

But we disagree with this, unless you are after a well done texture. Otherwise, pop it in for 10 – 12 minutes, but on a medium heat.

Microwaves dehydrate food, so cooking for longer on a lower heat can help reduce this. Not too different from turning your oven down a few degrees, and leaving the food in for longer.

Make sure to take the steak out at the halfway mark, and flip it over. This way, both sides will cook evenly, and you will hopefully get consistent texture and flavor throughout.

At this point some people like to be extra cautious, and place a piece of paper towel on top of the steak before it goes into the microwave.

This is for the same reasons as before, because as the steak cooks, it will produce more moisture, and this can change the texture slightly.

When microwaving steak, do not, we repeat, do not use oil. Unlike in a frying pan where oil adds more flavor, helps to sear, and stops the meat from sticking, in the microwave, oil can ruin the meat.

Oil will likely burn the steak, and leave it crispy and flavorless on the surface.

Microwave Steak Vs Grilled/Fried Steak

The main difference between cooking steak in a regular way compared to in the microwave, is that you can achieve a nice browning on the surface. This is popular with many steak eaters, as it adds another texture to the meat, and creates different flavors.

Takeaways

Hopefully the day that you have to microwave steak will never come. But if it does, then remember the following key points which we covered:

And that is the end of this guide. Now you should be clued up, and know just the right way to microwave your steak.

But if you do go ahead with cooking a steak this way, you might want to keep it a secret.

Although we did say that it is the 21st century, and that you can do what you want, you are probably still going to be judged harshly for microwaving such a succulent and rich piece of meat.

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!