This Is the Best Pan for Cooking Steak, According to a Pro

Cooking a restaurant-quality steak at home is more difficult than it looks. Afterall, it can be hard to get the right amount of char and caramelization on your stovetop, and then questions like whether or not to sear or reverse-sear pop up. All of the different factors may lead you to wonder if it’s even possible to make a steak worthy of a steakhouse in your own home kitchen. 

For some expert tips, we spoke to Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina, whose restaurants across the country excel at the art of crafting the perfect steak. Mina’s nearly foolproof secret to getting a properly seared steak packed with rich flavor without the commercial equipment is not a pan. Instead, it’s a griddle. 

Lodge Cast Iron Rectangular Reversible Griddle

Lodge’s cast iron griddle is a versatile piece of cookware that Mina says, “excels in heat retention and distribution, ensuring consistent cooking results.” When it comes to steaks, this feature is critical for getting an even sear across the cut of meat, “imparting that crust-like texture and rich flavor that’s synonymous with a restaurant-quality steak,” says Mina. 

The Lodge griddle is also naturally nonstick, as it comes pre-seasoned and ready to use straight from the box. “The naturally nonstick surface makes it easy to cook and flip meat without sticking,” Mina says, “ensuring a nearly foolproof method for preparing steak at home.” Plus, it’s a purchase that gets better each time you cook with it, as the seasoning develops. 

There’s no beating the versatility of a Lodge griddle, either. It can go straight from the stovetop to the oven, or even over a campfire for outdoor cooking. For Mina, this griddle is simply “a must-have tool for home cooks seeking professional-grade performance.” Consider it a future heirloom — since it’s made from cast iron, it will last for ages with proper maintenance. 

Best of all, there are two sides, one with ribs so you can get perfect grill marks even if you’re cooking over a stovetop, and one that is flat and smooth. This allows the piece of cookware, which only measures 16.75 by 9.5 by 0.63-inches, to pull double-duty as a pan for steak, and a hot surface perfect for breakfast and grilled cheese.

If you’re ready for this cookware upgrade that will change the way you make steaks at home, take it from a Michelin-starred chef who says it’s achievable with the Lodge cast iron griddle. Grab yours now for only $35 on Amazon.

Shop More Steak Tools at Amazon: 

Messermeister Avanta 5-Inch Steak Knife Set

Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan

Ninja Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill

John Boos Boos Block Chop-N-Slice Wooden Cutting Board

Alpha Grillers Instant Read Meat Thermometer