How Long To Cook A Steak

Total steak cooking time depends on thickness, starting temperature, cooking method, and your desired doneness level. So when people ask how long to cook a steak, the honest answer is: it depends, but here are the exact numbers you can use tonight.

Below you’ll find times for the grill, skillet, oven, and air fryer. Pick your method, match the thickness, and use a meat thermometer to nail the result.

Use this chart as your starting point. Times are for a 1-inch thick steak at room temperature. Add or subtract based on the notes after the table.

Rare (120-125°F): 4-5 minutes per side on the grill or skillet
Medium Rare (130-135°F): 5-6 minutes per side
Medium (140-145°F): 6-7 minutes per side
Medium Well (150-155°F): 7-8 minutes per side
Well Done (160°F+): 9-10 minutes per side

These numbers assume high heat and a hot pan or grill grate. Thinner steaks cook faster, thicker steaks take longer. Always check with a thermometer instead of guessing by color.

Key Factors That Change Cooking Time

Steak Thickness

Thickness matters more than weight. A 1-inch steak and a 2-inch steak can weigh the same but cook very differently.

1/2 inch: 2-3 minutes per side
3/4 inch: 3-4 minutes per side
1 inch: 4-6 minutes per side
1.5 inches: 6-8 minutes per side
2 inches: sear both sides, then finish in a 400°F oven for 8-12 minutes

Starting Temperature

A cold steak straight from the fridge needs extra time. Let your steak sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook evenly and keeps the center from staying cold while the outside burns.

Cooking Method

Grilling, pan-searing, broiling, and air frying all run at different heat levels. A ripping hot cast iron pan cooks faster than a covered grill. The chart above works for high-heat methods. For low and slow methods like smoking, plan for hours, not minutes.

Doneness Level

Rare to medium rare is the sweet spot for most cuts. Well done steak needs roughly double the time and benefits from a quick sear followed by lower heat so it doesn’t dry out.

Step-By-Step: How To Cook A Steak In A Skillet

Take the steak out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking.
Pat it dry with paper towels. Moisture steams the meat instead of searing it.
Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until it just starts to smoke.
Add a tablespoon of oil, then lay the steak away from you.
Cook 4-6 minutes per side for medium rare on a 1-inch steak. Don’t move it around.
Add butter, garlic, and thyme in the last minute and spoon the melted butter over the top.
Check the internal temp with a thermometer.
Rest the steak on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Resting matters. If you cut too soon, the juices run out and you lose flavor. A 1-inch steak needs about 5 minutes. A thick steak needs 10.

Grill Times By Doneness

Set your grill to high, around 450-500°F. Close the lid between flips for thicker cuts.

Rare: 4 minutes per side
Medium rare: 5 minutes per side
Medium: 6 minutes per side
Well done: 8-9 minutes per side

For a 2-inch steak, sear 3-4 minutes per side over direct heat, then move it to indirect heat and close the lid for 6-10 more minutes.

Oven And Air Fryer Times

Oven Method

Preheat to 400°F. Sear the steak in a skillet for 2 minutes per side first, then transfer the pan to the oven.

1 inch: 6-8 minutes
1.5 inches: 10-12 minutes
2 inches: 14-16 minutes

Air Fryer Method

Preheat to 400°F. Cook a 1-inch steak for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Add 3-4 minutes for thicker cuts.

How To Tell When Your Steak Is Done

Use a digital meat thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part, away from bone and fat.

120-125°F: rare
130-135°F: medium rare
140-145°F: medium
150-155°F: medium well
160°F and up: well done

Pull the steak 5°F below your target. The temperature rises as it rests.

Common Mistakes That Add Time Or Ruin The Steak

Cooking a cold steak straight from the fridge
Using medium heat instead of high heat for the sear
Flipping the steak every 30 seconds
Skipping the rest period
Cutting into the steak to check doneness instead of using a thermometer

Fix these and your steak will cook in the time ranges above with no surprises.

Quick Recap

For a 1-inch steak cooked medium rare, plan on 5-6 minutes per side in a skillet or on a hot grill. Thicker steaks need a sear plus oven time. Thinner steaks need less. Always verify with a thermometer and rest the meat before slicing. That’s the whole method, and it works every time.

How Long To Cook A Steak