Steak Cook Time Calculator / Chart / Examples

Steak Cook Time Calculator

This steak cook time calculator calculates the optimal cooking duration based on multiple factors including thickness, desired doneness, and cooking method.

A 1.5-inch ribeye steak cooked from room temperature (65°F) to medium-rare (135°F) on a 400°F grill requires approximately 5-6 minutes per side, plus a 7-minute resting period.

Thick-cut Filet Mignon

  • Thickness: 2 inches
  • Starting temp: 40°F (refrigerated)
  • Target temp: 130°F (rare)
  • Cooking method: Pan-sear + oven
  • Calculation: (2 inches × 7 minutes) + 5 minutes sear time = 19 minutes total cooking time

New York Strip

  • Thickness: 1 inch
  • Starting temp: 65°F (room temperature)
  • Target temp: 145°F (medium)
  • Cooking method: Grill
  • Calculation: (1 inch × 5 minutes) + 3 minutes per side = 11 minutes total cooking time

Thin-cut Skirt Steak

  • Thickness: 0.5 inches
  • Starting temp: 65°F (room temperature)
  • Target temp: 125°F (rare)
  • Cooking method: High-heat grill
  • Calculation: (0.5 inches × 3 minutes) + 1 minute per side = 3.5 minutes total cooking time

Steak Cooking Time Chart

High-Heat Method (400°F – 450°F)

1-inch Thickness

DonenessInternal TempGrill/Pan TimeVisual Indicator
Rare125°F4-5 mins per sideRed center, cool
Medium Rare135°F5-6 mins per sideRed warm center
Medium145°F6-7 mins per sidePink center
Medium Well150°F7-8 mins per sideSlightly pink center
Well Done160°F8-9 mins per sideNo pink

1.5-inch Thickness

DonenessInternal TempGrill/Pan TimeVisual Indicator
Rare125°F6-7 mins per sideRed center, cool
Medium Rare135°F7-8 mins per sideRed warm center
Medium145°F8-9 mins per sidePink center
Medium Well150°F9-10 mins per sideSlightly pink center
Well Done160°F10-11 mins per sideNo pink

2-inch Thickness

DonenessInternal TempGrill/Pan TimeVisual Indicator
Rare125°F8-9 mins per sideRed center, cool
Medium Rare135°F9-10 mins per sideRed warm center
Medium145°F10-11 mins per sidePink center
Medium Well150°F11-12 mins per sideSlightly pink center
Well Done160°F12-13 mins per sideNo pink

Temperature Adjustments

  • Room Temperature (65°F): Use times as listed above
  • Refrigerated (40°F): Add 2-3 minutes per side
  • Frozen (0°F): Double the cooking time

Steak Cook Time Calculation Formula

The formula for calculating steak cooking time is:

Total Cook Time = (Thickness × Time Multiplier) + Method Adjustment + Temperature Differential

Where:

  • Time Multiplier: Minutes per inch (typically 4-7 minutes)
  • Method Adjustment: Additional time based on cooking method
  • Temperature Differential: Extra time needed based on starting temperature

For a 1.5-inch steak starting at 40°F (refrigerated), cooked to medium-rare:

Total Time = (1.5 × 6) + 2 + 3
= 9 + 2 + 3
= 14 minutes total cooking time

How to Calculate Steak Cooking Time?

  • Measure thickness precisely using calipers or a ruler.
  • Determine starting temperature: Refrigerated (40°F): Add 3 minutes, Room temperature (65°F): Standard time
  • Select doneness target:
    • Rare (125°F): Multiply thickness by 4
    • Medium-rare (135°F): Multiply thickness by 5
    • Medium (145°F): Multiply thickness by 6
    • Well-done (160°F): Multiply thickness by 7

For a 1.25-inch ribeye, starting refrigerated, cooking to medium-rare:

  • Base time: 1.25 × 5 = 6.25 minutes
  • Temperature adjustment: +3 minutes
  • Method adjustment (grill): +2 minutes
  • Final calculation: 11.25 minutes total cooking time

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