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What type of oil should I use for pan-frying steak? If you are going to be cooking steak in a cast iron skillet, you have to go with oil that has a high smoke point which means not all cooking oil is ideal for searing steak.
However, if you are going to be frying your steak, you will have to rely more on lower heat to brown your steak.
The best oil for steak also depends on how you cook it. Whether you are cooking steak on the grill or skillet, the oil is the most important part of that cooking process.
If you are going to pan-fry a delicious and tender steak, you will need oil with a high burning point, this will prevent your steak from burning and turning acrid. You can fry raw steak and cook one provided you have the right oil to work with.
People love steak, and most admit it’s because of how it feels in their mouth. A well-prepared steak delivers a juicy tenderness and flavor that can’t be rivaled by other meat.
Steak cooked to perfection will have you creating more, and it also has a minimum amount of fat. The juiciness of the meat is made from the oil mixed with other ingredients that will be added. So, keep reading to learn the best type of oil for frying!
The Best Oils For Frying Steak
The first step to frying the best steak is to select a good piece of a boneless thick, or thin slice of red meat. The next step that can be easily ignored is getting the best cooking oil.
You will want an oil that is stable at high temperatures, and also choose ones that don’t oxidize easily. To make this easier, we have helped select the 7 best oils that are useful for high and low-heat cooking.
1. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is gotten from the peanut seed and has been used in cooking and medicine for a very long time. You can pan-fry or sear your steak using peanut oil since it has a high smoking point, so you can fry your steak on low heat on all sides and not burn it.
This is a very healthy oil option, it is used to prevent heart disease and cancer, a much-preferred choice to vegetable oil. It has a smoke point between 231 and 246 degrees.
Fry your steak in peanut oil for about 7 minutes before flipping it to the other side and fry for another 4 minutes. Some smoke is inevitable, but you can be sure this won’t fill your kitchen in any choking way.
2. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is another very common oil used in frying steak. This is an edible oil that has been extracted from the pulp of avocados, it can be used raw and for cooking. Avocado oil has a high smoke point so that it can be used for all kinds of high-heat cooking.
This is one of the best oil for stir fry. The smoking point is high as 520 degrees, so you can ensure your steak is pan-fried on all sides. This does not have much flavor hence it won’t affect the taste of your steak.
3. Canola Oil
Whether you are creating the perfect stir fry, frying the perfect steak on low heat, or concocting the best marinade, canola is a healthy cooking oil you can use. Canola oil is made from rapeseed (canola seed); it is a vegetable-based oil and has a very high smoke point which makes it good for cooking all kinds of dishes.
You can use it in cooking, searing, or frying your steak. Simply put 2 tablespoons of canola oil in the pan and add one spoonful of butter to complement the taste. Put the steak in the pan and reduce to medium heat; cook each side for 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Olive Oil
The smoking point of cooking oil is at the point where the oil begins to smoke, and if you want an oil that can heat at both low and high smoking points, olive oil is a great choice. Olive oil does not have a high smoke point, but you can use it in cooking steak, it helps set the perfect balance for pan-frying steak.
To use olive oil for frying steaks, rub both sides of your steak with oil; it is perfect for grilling. Sear for 4-6 minutes before turning. Olive oil is the ideal option if you are going for a rare medium steak or rare steak.
5. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is one of the best oil you can use for pan frying or grilling steak. Vegetable oil is extracted from seeds, animal fat, or other parts of fruits. It often consists of sunflower, soybean, olive, canola, and coconut oil.
Vegetable oil smoke point can hold your steak temperature at high or low heat and also works to enhance the flavor. This is the perfect oil for making chicken fried steak, it can withstand the high heat of the stove without burning.
6. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is another cooking oil that is ideal for making chicken fried steak. This oil is usually used in salad dressing, salads, and mayonnaise due to its high polyunsaturated fat content. It is considered the ultimate oil for making perfect steaks.
To use grapeseed oil for pan-fried steaks, preheat your pan, apply the grapeseed oil, then pan fry your steak on each side for 4 minutes. Grapeseed oil has a light clean taste that will enhance the flavor of your steak.
7. Coconut Oil
Not many people take note of coconut oil as cooking oil, but it’s a great oil, and it’s suitable for pan-frying steak on a high smoke point. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, so it’s often avoided, but studies have shown that pure coconut oil has several health benefits. It is highly resistant to oxidation on high heat.
If you do not like olive oil, coconut oil makes a much better alternative for pan-frying steak or grilling. Coconut oil has a high-fat concentration with high smoke points, so it’s perfect for searing, frying steak, and searing.
Pan Frying Vs Pan Searing: How to Pan Fry Steak
Pan-fried steak is different from searing steak, although both require oil with high smoke points, they are not the same. Pan searing is actually easier than pan frying, but pan frying is the fastest way to cook and enjoy your steak.
Pan frying gives your steak a deep layer of flavor in a short time, and it’s an incomplete process, it makes your steak moist and tender but not done. Pan frying is a complete cooking technique, when something is pan-fried then it means it is ready to eat.
This is why a high smoke point is very important if you are going to pan fry your steak, the oil has to withstand high temperature without burning. Here is how to pan-fry a steak with any of the oil above.
- Put your cast iron skillet for 3 minutes on medium heat
- Ensure your steak has been seasoned with salt and pepper properly
- When the skillet is slightly hot, add your preferred oil and let it heat for about 2-3 minutes
- Put the steak flat in a pan and press down with a spoon then let it sear on both sides for 3 minutes
- Fry for another 3 minutes on the stovetop until it’s completely brown
- Add your butter and other ingredients till your steak is nicely slattered with it.
- Take the skillet off the heat and let your steak rest for a few minutes before cutting.
Wrapping Up
Pan fry steak is one of the easiest and fastest ways you can enjoy steak, you can have it made on the stove and skillet. However, the cooking technique can ruin the steak if you are not using the right oil.
So, ensure the oil you are using is from the list above. The rule of thumb for choosing the best oil for frying steak is to keep in mind that the higher the smoke point, the better.
