Some people have heard that searing a steak will seal in its juices, thus making it taste better. Some have never heard of this method. Of those who have heard of it, many are unsure from where they received the information, whether they learned it from a relative, a cook book or a cooking show on television. But, is this method a myth or a fact? Does searing a steak really seal in all of its juices? Or, is this just a pointless extra step in the steak cooking process that is simply a waste of time?
Why Would Searing Work?
The idea behind searing a steak to seal in its juices is simple. You should heat up a pan or grill very high first. Then, you should put the steak on for a short period of time, usually a couple minutes, on each side until just the very outside of the steak looks done and has a dark crust. This is supposed to create a barrier from which the juices within the steak cannot escape.
Why Does the Steak Keep Sizzling?
If you have tried this method for yourself, you may have noticed that the steak will still keep sizzling even after you have seared both sides. You may wonder why it does so, if searing the steak is supposed to stop the inside juices from coming out. Well, even after the outside of a steak is seared, you simply cannot stop all of the juices from escaping. Fluids from the muscle of the meat, unlike blood, does not clot and will drain through the meat when heated, since searing does not form a complete barrier on the outside of the steak.
Is Seared Steak Juicier?
Searing a steak does make a juicier steak, but it is all relevant. While a shorter cooking time will allow less loss of juices, this depends greatly on how people prefer their steak. Someone that likes steak well-done will have a less juicer steak than the person that likes theirs medium-rare. But, this is the case whether the steak was seared or not.
A steak that has not been seared will have to cook longer to have the same pleasant outward appearance as a seared steak. This, in turn, gives that steak longer time to cook out its juices, making it less juicy than a seared steak. However, some people do not prefer the dark outer crust of a seared steak, believing that the outside is too dry. But, even so, a seared steak seems to taste better to most people than a non-seared steak, whether it is actually juicier or not.
Other Ideas for a Juicy Steak
Another way people choose to make their steaks juicier is through marinading. You can marinate your steak, preferably overnight, in many different ingredients for a juicy, delicious steak. Try rubbing a steak in olive oil and seasoning, steak sauce, a little bit of butter, or a steak marinade sold in any grocery store. There are many different flavors to try out. Also, many prefer cooking a steak on a grill for better taste.
