How to prepare a steak at home before cooking it 

It's date night. Candles flicker, jazz drifts through the room, and your favourite dish sizzles in the pan. But what's that! Butter smears, herbs, and stray fat spit themselves across the counter as your partner lovingly prepares your steak. There's enough on the floor to make up an entire feast for the dog... But what's a little bit of grease between lovers? It’s date night! Nothing a quick wipe can’t fix later.

If it’s perfect steak you want, it’s perfect steak you shall get! And if you want to know how to prepare a steak before cooking it, the key lies in the prep, especially when it comes to drying meat and seasoning it properly. Do that, and when the plate reaches the table, it feels like more than just dinner. It really is date night.

Whether you're learning how to prepare a steak at home for date night or just brushing up on the basics, we’ve got you covered. We’ll even throw in a few steak hacks along the way to help you feel more confident in the kitchen!

1. Take the chill off before preparing a steak for cooking 

If you’re wondering how to prepare a steak for grilling or searing, the first step is letting the meat come to room temperature. Never throw a cold steak straight into the pan – it won’t cook evenly and can even affect how it tastes. Not ideal.  

Letting it rest out of the fridge for 30-60 minutes is a crucial step in preparing a steak for cooking. A little bit of patience goes a long way in ensuring tenderness and flavour, which is exactly what you want when you’re cooking your steak. And while the meat slowly comes to temperature, it gives you extra time to spend grilling your loved one on the day’s gossip! 

2. Pat meat dry for the perfect sear 

Here’s where most people go wrong: they skip drying steak. But if there’s moisture on the surface, your steak will steam, not sear. The solution? Pat meat dry thoroughly with Plenty Kitchen Roll, which is absorbent and strong even when wet, making it perfect for drying meat before you go anywhere near that pan.

3. Season generously when you prepare steak 

Now that your steak is at room temperature and has been patted dry, it’s time to season. Whether you’re grilling, frying or pan-searing, seasoning is a must when you prepare steak before cooking. Salt and pepper are crowd favourites, but you can add other herbs or spices depending on your preference. And look – your partner has conveniently left them all out on the side for you! 

One of the best steak hacks is to marinate overnight. This step is essential in knowing how to prepare a steak for grilling, and it takes a little forethought. But so does date night! And when the aroma fills your kitchen and your partner hovers nearby asking, “is it ready yet?”, you’ll know that the lingering spice granules you can’t see on your hands but you know are still there (based entirely on the fact your eyes are now watering after you just rubbed them), make the effort all worthwhile.  

4. Oil the steak, not the pan 

Once your meat has marinated in all those juicy herbs and seasoning, it’s time to turn up the heat! For even searing, lightly oil the steak directly, rather than the pan. This is all part of learning how to prepare a steak before cooking it, and a crucial step to take your date night dinner up a notch. 

5. Use the right pan (or fire up the grill) 

If you’re serious about learning how to cook a tender steak, your tools make all the difference. A cast iron pan or griddle plate is your best friend; they hold the heat and reward you with that unbeatable sear and sizzle. And if you're firing up the grill instead, make sure it’s properly preheated until it’s really hot –you want an instant sputter!

And yes, we will say it again: make sure you pat dry steak before cooking. It might feel like overkill, but it’s the difference between serving up a glorious char that might just seal your date night with a kiss, or a grey disappointment that has you both reaching for separate takeaway menus… 

When it comes to “doneness”, it’s all about personal taste. Some like it rare, cool and red in the middle; others lean toward medium rare, warm and pink, or even medium-well and well-done. Just remember: the thicker the steak, the longer the cook. 

Here’s a rough guide:

• Rare: 2 mins each side
• Medium rare: 3–3.5 mins each side
• Medium: 4–5 mins each side
• Well done: 6 mins each side, lower heat to finish 

6. Rest after cooking

Not you – the steak! After you’ve finished cooking, resist the urge to slice straight away. Resting your meat allows juices to set in, keeping it tender and flavourful. Place it on a clean plate or wooden board for a few minutes and put that time to good use by grabbing a sheet of Plenty kitchen towel to catch any drips or splatters on, under, and all around your cooker. Keeping your kitchen clean and tidy as you go is efficient – and gives you more time for cuddling up on the couch watching your favourite series with bae! 

When the steak is done resting, slice it with a sharp carving knife. And voilà! You now know not only how to prepare a steak at home, but also how to cook it to tender perfection. Sure, the kitchen miiiight look like it’s been hit by a grenade. But that gleeful grin on your partner’s (and your dog’s!) face? That’s what makes cooking for your loved ones so rewarding: the mess can be cleaned, but the memory of sharing that meal lasts… What’s for dessert?