How Long To Cook Sirloin Steak On Grill

ByLily

Grilling sirloin steak gives it a smoky char, and the cook time depends on thickness and target temperature. If you want to know exactly how long to cook sirloin steak on grill, the short answer is 4 to 5 minutes per side for a 1-inch steak over high heat. Thicker cuts need more time, and thinner cuts need less. This guide breaks it all down so you get the doneness you want every single time.

Sirloin is lean, beefy, and fairly forgiving. But it can dry out fast if you overcook it. The key is matching time to thickness, then checking doneness with a thermometer.

How Long To Cook Sirloin Steak On Grill

Use this chart as your starting point. Times are for a grill preheated to high heat, about 450 to 500 degrees F. Always flip once, halfway through.

  • 1 inch thick: 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare
  • 1 1/4 inch thick: 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare
  • 1 1/2 inch thick: 6 to 7 minutes per side for medium rare
  • 2 inch thick: 8 to 10 minutes per side for medium rare

For medium, add about 1 to 2 minutes per side. For well done, add 3 to 4 minutes per side. These numbers shift with your grill, the weather, and the steak’s starting temp.

Why Thickness Matters More Than Weight

A 1-inch steak and a 2-inch steak can weigh the same. But the 2-inch one takes almost twice as long to cook through. Heat has to travel farther to the center. So measure thickness with a ruler or your fingers, not the package weight.

Target Internal Temperatures

Time gives you a guess. A thermometer gives you the truth. Pull the steak 5 degrees before your target because it keeps cooking as it rests.

  • Rare: 120 to 125 degrees F
  • Medium rare: 130 to 135 degrees F
  • Medium: 140 to 145 degrees F
  • Medium well: 150 to 155 degrees F
  • Well done: 160 degrees F and up

Stick the probe into the thickest part, away from bone and fat. If you dont have a thermometer, use the finger test. A rare steak feels soft like your cheek. Medium feels firm like your chin. Well done feels hard like your forehead.

Step-By-Step Grilling Method

  1. Take the steak out of the fridge 30 to 40 minutes before grilling. Room temp meat cooks more evenly.
  2. Pat it dry with paper towels. Wet meat steams instead of sears.
  3. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Use more salt than you think you need.
  4. Preheat the grill to high, 450 to 500 degrees F. Clean the grates and oil them with a paper towel dipped in oil.
  5. Place the steak on the grill. Close the lid and dont touch it for 4 to 5 minutes.
  6. Flip once with tongs. Never press down with a spatula. That squeezes out juice.
  7. Cook the second side for the same amount of time.
  8. Check the internal temp about 2 minutes before your estimated finish time.
  9. Move the steak to a cutting board and rest it for 5 to 10 minutes.
  10. Slice against the grain and serve.

Should You Close The Lid

Yes, for steaks 1 inch or thicker. A closed lid traps heat and cooks the inside faster. For thin steaks under 3/4 inch, leave the lid open so they dont overcook before they char.

Direct Heat Vs Two-Zone Grilling

For a 1-inch sirloin, direct high heat works great. For a 2-inch steak, use two zones. Sear both sides over the hot zone, then move the steak to the cooler side. Close the lid and finish cooking until it hits your target temp. This prevents a burnt crust and a raw center.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Sirloin

  • Flipping more than once. It slows cooking and dries the meat.
  • Cutting into the steak to check doneness. Use a thermometer instead.
  • Skipping the rest. Resting lets juices redistribute. Skip it and your plate gets the juice, not your steak.
  • Grilling cold meat straight from the fridge. The outside burns before the inside cooks.
  • Using a fork to flip. It pokes holes and lets juice escape.

How To Fix An Overcooked Steak

It happens. Slice it thin and serve it over a salad or in a sandwich. The added moisture from dressing or sauce helps. Next time, pull it 5 degrees earlier and trust the rest time.

How To Fix An Undercooked Steak

Put it back on the grill over medium heat for 2 minutes per side. Or slice it and finish the pieces in a hot pan for 30 seconds. Check the temp again before serving.

Tips For Better Grilled Sirloin

  • Look for steaks with good marbling. Fat equals flavor and moisture.
  • Let the grill get truly hot before the steak goes on. You want a loud sizzle.
  • Use a meat thermometer. Its the only way to nail doneness every time.
  • Rest the steak on a warm plate, not a cold one.
  • Slice against the grain. Sirloin has visible muscle fibers. Cutting across them makes each bite tender.

So the real answer to how long to cook sirloin steak on grill comes down to two things: thickness and temperature. A 1-inch steak over high heat needs about 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Thicker steaks need more time, thinner ones need less. Use the chart, grab a thermometer, and rest the meat before slicing. Do that and you will get a juicy, smoky sirloin every time you fire up the grill.

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