How Long To Cook 1.5 Inch Steak

ByLily

Steak thickness determines everything when you’re aiming for the perfect sear and interior doneness. If you want to know exactly how long to cook 1.5 inch steak, the answer depends on your cooking method, your desired doneness, and a few simple rules.

A 1.5 inch steak is thick enough to build a great crust without overcooking the middle. But it’s also thick enough to go wrong fast if you guess at the timing. This guide gives you real numbers you can use tonight.

How Long To Cook 1.5 Inch Steak

Here are the base times for a 1.5 inch steak at room temperature, cooked on a hot cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Flip once at the halfway point.

  • Rare (120-125°F): 4 to 5 minutes per side
  • Medium Rare (130-135°F): 5 to 6 minutes per side
  • Medium (140-145°F): 6 to 7 minutes per side
  • Medium Well (150-155°F): 7 to 8 minutes per side
  • Well Done (160°F+): 8 to 9 minutes per side

These times assume a stainless or cast iron pan, a thin layer of high smoke point oil, and a steak that sat out for 30 to 40 minutes before cooking. A cold steak straight from the fridge needs 1 to 2 extra minutes per side.

Why Thickness Changes Everything

Heat moves through meat slowly. A thin steak cooks through in a couple minutes, so you can focus on the crust. A 1.5 inch steak needs time for heat to reach the center without burning the outside.

That’s why high heat alone won’t work. You need a strong initial sear, then a slightly lower heat to finish the inside. If you keep the pan screaming hot the whole time, the crust burns before the middle hits medium rare.

Pan Seared 1.5 Inch Steak: Step By Step

  1. Take the steak out of the fridge 30 to 40 minutes before cooking. Pat it completely dry with paper towels.
  2. Season both sides generously with salt and coarse black pepper.
  3. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add a tablespoon of avocado or canola oil.
  4. Place the steak in the pan away from you. Press it down gently for 10 seconds to get full contact.
  5. Sear for 5 to 6 minutes without moving it. You want a deep brown crust.
  6. Flip once. Add a tablespoon of butter, a smashed garlic clove, and a sprig of thyme if you like.
  7. Cook another 5 to 6 minutes, spooning the butter over the top.
  8. Check the internal temp with a meat thermometer. Pull it 5°F below your target. It will rise while resting.
  9. Rest the steak on a board for 5 to 8 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Grilling A 1.5 Inch Steak

On a grill, set up two zones. One side hot, one side medium. Sear over the hot side for 4 to 5 minutes per side, then move to the cooler side to finish.

  • Rare: 4 min sear per side, 2 min indirect
  • Medium Rare: 5 min sear per side, 3 min indirect
  • Medium: 5 min sear per side, 5 min indirect

Keep the lid closed during the indirect phase. This helps the center cook evenly without drying the surface.

Oven Finish Method

Some cooks prefer to sear on the stove and finish in a 400°F oven. This works great for a 1.5 inch steak because the even oven heat cooks the middle gently.

  1. Sear 2 to 3 minutes per side in an oven safe pan.
  2. Move the whole pan into a 400°F oven.
  3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes for medium rare, 8 to 10 minutes for medium.
  4. Use a thermometer. Oven times vary more than pan times.

How To Tell Doneness Without A Thermometer

If you don’t have a thermometer, use the palm test. It’s not perfect, but it gets you close.

  • Rare feels like the fleshy base of your thumb when the hand is relaxed.
  • Medium rare feels like that same spot when you touch thumb and index finger.
  • Medium feels like thumb and middle finger touching.
  • Well done feels firm, like thumb and pinky touching.

For a thick steak like this, a thermometer is still the better tool. Guessing on a 1.5 inch cut is risky because the center changes fast in the last two minutes.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Cooking a cold steak. Always let it sit out first.
  • Moving the steak too much. Leave it alone to build a crust.
  • Using low heat. You need high heat for a good sear.
  • Skipping the rest. Cutting too soon loses all the juice.
  • Not drying the surface. Wet meat steams instead of sears.

Resting And Serving

Resting is not optional. A 1.5 inch steak needs 5 to 8 minutes loosely covered with foil. This lets the juices redistribute so they stay in the meat when you slice it.

Slice against the grain into half inch strips. Serve on a warm plate. Add a pinch of flaky salt on top right before eating.

Final Timing Cheat Sheet

For a quick recap, here is the simple version for a 1.5 inch steak on the stovetop:

  • Rare: 8 to 10 minutes total
  • Medium Rare: 10 to 12 minutes total
  • Medium: 12 to 14 minutes total
  • Medium Well: 14 to 16 minutes total
  • Well Done: 16 to 18 minutes total

Use these numbers as your starting point. Every stove, pan, and steak runs a little different. Check the temp early the first time, then adjust. After one or two tries, you’ll know exactly how long to cook a 1.5 inch steak on your own setup.

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