Nothing beats the flavor of a juicy, beautifully seared steak hot off the grill. But grilling frozen steak can be tricky and result in a dry, overcooked disappointment if not done properly.

The good news is that with some simple preparation and techniques, you can grill frozen steak just as easily as thawed meat for delicious, tender results.

In this article, we will talk about how to cook frozen steak at home. So, let’s get started!

Required Items

• Steak - 1-1.5 inch thick cuts like ribeye, strip, tenderloin, or top sirloin
• Freshly cracked black pepper and Kosher salt - for seasoning
• Tongs - for flipping and handling steaks
• Instant read thermometer - for monitoring doneness
• Grill brush - for cleaning grill grates
• Charcoal or gas grill - for high-heat grilling
• Foil - for tenting steaks during rest
• Plate or platter - for resting steaks after grilling

Step-By-Step Guide To Grill Frozen Steak

Step 1 - Preheat The Grill

Properly preheating your grill is essential for grilling frozen steak. For a charcoal grill, mound the hot coals to one side to establish two cooking zones - direct and indirect heat.

Let the grill preheat for 10-15 minutes until the charcoal is glowing red and covered in grey ash. Use an oven thermometer to confirm the direct heat zone reaches 500°F or higher.

Turn all burners to high for a gas grill and close the lid. Let it preheat for 5-10 minutes until reaching 500°F. Use the temperature gauge on the grill lid to monitor the heat. You want very high, searing heat to start. The same instructions will be applied while cooking frozen steak in oven.

Step 2 - Sear The Steak

Once your grill is rip-roaring hot, place the frozen steaks directly over the direct high heat zone. Let them sear undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until a dark brown crust develops on the bottom.

With the help of tongs, flip the steaks and sear the second side for another 5-7 minutes. The high heat helps form a flavorful sear, while the icy interior prevents overcooking.

During searing, insert an instant-read thermometer into the side periodically to monitor the internal temperature. You want it to stay below 90°F in the beginning stages. If the grill is hot enough, you should develop a nice sear before the center starts to thaw too much.

Step 3 - Season The Steak

After searing both sides to your liking, use tongs to bring the steaks to the indirect heat side of the grill. The initial sear is complete. Now it's time to season the meat.

Generously sprinkle kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper over both sides of the steaks. The salty-peppery flavor combination is a steakhouse classic. Apply the seasoning to the meat with your fingers so it adheres evenly.

Step 4 - Cook The interior On Indirect Heat

Put the grill lid down with the steaks over indirect heat so the steaks can gently finish cooking without burning the exterior. Keep a close watch on the temperature using an instant-read thermometer.

Check-in a few different spots to account for uneven thawing. Remove both steaks when they are 5°F below your target doneness temperature.

Step 5 - Let Steak Rest

Once steaks are cooked, use tongs to transfer them to a clean plate or platter. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the steak. Slice into the steak - if clear juices run out, that means success! Dig into your perfectly grilled frozen steak and enjoy!

Things To Keep In Mind For Better Results

Here are some key things to keep in mind for better results when grilling frozen steak:

• Use indirect heat to cook the interior while maintaining a sear. After searing over direct heat, move steaks to the cooler side of a 2-zone fire to finish cooking. This prevents overcooking.
• Choose steaks 1-1.5 inches thick. Thinner cuts will dry out too quickly. Thickness allows searing the exterior while the inside slowly comes up to temp.
• Track temperature with an instant-read thermometer for doneness control. Remove from grill when 5°F below target temp. Probing in different areas accounts for uneven thawing.
• Don't flip constantly when searing. Let each side develop a dark, caramelized crust before flipping. Flipping too often interrupts browning.
• Use very high heat, 500°F or more, for the sear. This rapid, intense heat properly sears the surface while the frozen center remains cool. Lower heat leads to overcooking before a sear forms.
• Let steak rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. Skipping this step means losing moisture and flavor.

Warnings

Do Not Grill Steak Straight From Frozen

While it may seem appealing to simply toss a frozen steak right onto a hot grill, do not do this! Grilling steak directly from frozen leads to very uneven cooking. The outside will burn and dry out long before the inside thaws and cooks through. Always thaw steaks properly ahead of time for the most juicy, tender results.

Let Thick Steaks Rest On The Rack

When searing thicker cuts of steak over direct high heat, it's important to raise them on a grilling rack. Sitting directly on the hot grates can overcook and dry out the contacting surface before the rest finishes cooking. Use a grilling rack to allow airflow and prevent bottom scorching.

Manage Flare-Ups

Sudden flare-ups from dripping fat can burn steaks grilling over an open flame. If intense flare-ups occur during searing or indirect cooking, use tongs to move steaks temporarily to a cooler area of the grill until flames die down. This prevents charring the exterior while still cooking the inside. Monitor flare-ups and adjust steak placement accordingly.

Final Words

Grilling juicy, flavorful steaks from frozen is easy with the right techniques. Now that you know how to grill frozen steak properly, you can enjoy this satisfying meal anytime.

Even taking steaks straight from the freezer to the grill, you can achieve optimal doneness with a crispy, browned exterior in under 30 minutes. The next time your dinner plans call for perfect steaks, don't let frozen meat stop you. Fire up the grill and enjoy steakhouse quality results right from your backyard.