How to Grill Steak on Any Grill | DDR BBQ Supply

How to Grill Steak: Mastering Juicy Grilled Steak on Any Backyard Grill

Mastering juicy grilled steak on any backyard grill starts with understanding how to grill steak the right way for your cut, grill type, and preferred doneness. Whether you’re figuring out the best steak to grill for Saturday night, how to grill medium rare steak over charcoal, or how to cook steak on a gas grill without drying it out, the fundamentals stay the same: pick the right cut, season it well, control your heat, and hit the right internal temperature.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the best steaks to grill, how to grill steaks on gas grill and charcoal grill setups, how to grill steak on pellet grill cookers, and how to grill the perfect steak for medium-rare or medium. You’ll learn how hot the grill should be for steak, how to grill thick steaks and tender steaks, how to bbq ribeye steak, and how to grill beef cuts like sirloin, strip, flank, and skirt steak with confidence.

Best Steaks to Grill (Gas, Charcoal, and Pellet)
Best Way to Season Steak for the Grill
Grill Temps, Doneness, and Internal Temperatures
How to Grill Steaks on a Gas Grill
How to Charcoal Grill Steak
How to Cook Steaks on a Pellet Grill
Thin Steaks, Thick Steaks, and Tomahawks
How to Grill Flank Steak, Skirt Steak, and Kabobs
How to Grill Pork Steaks the Right Way
Troubleshooting: Tough, Dry, or Gray Steak
Grilled Steak FAQs

Best Steaks to Grill (Gas, Charcoal, and Pellet)

When people ask about the best steak to grill or best steaks to BBQ, they’re usually talking about cuts with good marbling, enough thickness to handle high heat, and rich beef flavor. The best steak to cook on grill grates is at least 1 to 1.5 inches thick so you can build a crust without overcooking the center.

Some of the best steaks to grill include:

Ribeye: Heavy marbling and great flavor make ribeye a top choice for any grill. If you’re wondering about the best way to grill a ribeye steak or looking for the best ribeye steak recipe grill style, ribeye should be near the top of your list.
Strip (New York strip / Kansas City strip): A great balance of tenderness and chew. Strip is an excellent best steak to grill on charcoal or gas because it handles high heat well.
Sirloin: Leaner but still flavorful. A good sirloin steak recipe grill method is a fantastic value option for feeding a crowd.
Tenderloin / filet: Very tender, milder flavor, benefits from aggressive seasoning and a careful cook. Great if you’re asking how to grill a tenderloin steak for special occasions.
Flank and skirt: Perfect for marinated steak recipes on the grill. These lend themselves to fajitas, tacos, and steak salads.

For charcoal fans, the best steak to grill on charcoal is often ribeye or strip. The combination of marbling and high heat gives you that classic steakhouse crust. If you’re a pellet grill person, thicker ribeyes and strips also shine when you’re dialing in how to cook steaks on pellet grill cookers with a hot finish.

Best Way to Season Steak for the Grill

The best way to season steak for grill cooking is to keep it simple but intentional. Salt is non-negotiable, and a well-built steak seasoning or beef BBQ rub can give you steakhouse flavor without overcomplicating things. A light layer of fat on the surface helps conduct heat and lock in moisture.

For a classic, all-purpose steak profile, a dedicated blend like DDR BBQ Steak Seasoning Rub is an easy way to upgrade how you grill beef without needing a dozen different spices. It’s built for ribeye, strip, and sirloin, whether you’re learning how to grill the perfect steak on charcoal or how to grill steaks on a gas grill for a weeknight dinner.

If you like a competition-ready beef profile, a pitmaster-style beef BBQ rub like Heath Riles Beef BBQ Rub layers savory, pepper, and subtle sweetness that works especially well on ribeyes, strips, and steak kabob recipe grill cooks. It’s a great option when you’re chasing the best steak recipe grill style for a crowd.

For a Texas-inspired steak profile, a beef rub like Texas Beef Rub Kosmos Q leans into pepper and beef-forward flavor, which is perfect when you’re figuring out how to grill beef ribeye steak or how to grill steak on charcoal grill grates for a real backyard steakhouse vibe.

Want a little more hickory depth without firing up a stick burner? A finishing sprinkle of Myron Mixon Hickory Salt Shaker 12oz can add that subtle BBQ edge to steaks hot off the grill. And if you’re looking for a steakhouse-style crust on chops and steaks, the savory punch of BBQue Texas Prime Time Steak & Chop Seasoning is tailor-made for seared ribeyes and pork steaks on either gas or charcoal.

On the fat side, instead of brushing steaks with low-smoke-point oils that can scorch, many backyard cooks like to use a high-performance spray like Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray. A quick mist on each side helps build a deep, even crust and is especially useful when you’re dialing in the best way to grill a ribeye steak or learning how to charcoal grill steaks at high heat.

Grill Temps, Doneness, and Internal Temperatures

How hot grill for steak? For most cuts, you want a hot grill and a fast cook. A good target for how to cook steak on BBQ grates is 450°F–550°F at the grate level. Hotter heat means better Maillard reaction (that brown crust) and less time for the interior to dry out.

When you’re chasing how to grill the perfect steak or how to grill the perfect ribeye steak, internal temp is your true guide:

Rare: 120°F–125°F (cool red center)
Medium-rare: 130°F–135°F (warm red center)
Medium: 135°F–145°F (pink center)
Medium-well: 145°F–155°F (slightly pink to mostly done)
Well-done: 155°F+ (little to no pink)

If you’re wondering how to cook medium rare steak on grill setups, aim to pull the steak at about 130°F–133°F and let it rest; carryover heat will nudge it up a few degrees. For how to cook rare steak on grill grates, pulling around 122°F–125°F with a short rest usually does the trick.

For charcoal, gas, or pellet grills, a two-zone setup also helps: one hot, direct side for searing, and one cooler, indirect side to finish thicker steaks gently if they’re not up to temp yet.

How to Grill Steaks on a Gas Grill

Learning how to grill steaks on gas grill burners is all about heat management and timing. Gas makes it easy to maintain a consistent temperature, which simplifies how long to grill steaks on gas grill setups for medium or medium-rare.

Here’s a basic grill steak recipe for gas grills:

Preheat the grill with all burners on high for 10–15 minutes until the grates are very hot.
Brush or spray the grates lightly with a high-heat fat such as Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray.
Pat steaks dry, lightly mist with duck fat spray, and season generously with a steak rub like DDR BBQ Steak Seasoning Rub or Heath Riles Beef BBQ Rub.
Turn one burner down to medium or off to create an indirect zone.
Place steaks over the hottest part of the grill and sear 2–3 minutes per side with the lid open to build crust.
For thicker steaks, move them to the indirect zone, close the lid, and continue to cook until they reach your target internal temperature.
Remove the steaks, rest for 5–10 minutes, then slice against the grain.

This method covers how to grill steaks on a gas grill, how to cook steak on a gas grill for even doneness, and the best way to cook a steak on a gas grill when you’re aiming for medium-rare instead of guessing how long to grill a medium steak by time alone.

How to Charcoal Grill Steak

For a lot of backyard cooks, nothing beats charcoal. Learning how to charcoal grill steak is key if you want that deep grilled flavor and a serious crust. The best way to charcoal grill steak is to run a very hot direct zone and a small safety zone where you can move steaks if they’re getting dark before they’re done inside.

Here’s a simple charcoal grill steak recipe:

Fill a chimney with charcoal and light it. Once the coals are ashed over, dump them into one half of the grill to create a hot side and a cooler side.
Put the grate on, close the lid, and let the grill preheat until very hot.
Pat your steaks dry, mist lightly with Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray, and season generously with Texas Beef Rub Kosmos Q or BBQue Texas Prime Time Steak & Chop Seasoning for a Texas-forward flavor.
Place steaks directly over the hot coals and sear 2–3 minutes per side, lid open, until a deep crust forms.
For thicker cuts, move them to the cooler side, close the lid, and finish cooking until they hit your target internal temperature (around 130°F for medium-rare).
Rest, slice, and serve.

When you dial in how to grill steak on charcoal grill grates, it becomes easier to answer how long to cook steak on charcoal grill for medium-rare or how long to grill steak on charcoal grill for a perfect crust without burning. The basic pattern is always the same: sear hot and fast, then finish gently if needed.

How to Cook Steaks on a Pellet Grill

Pellet cookers are fantastic when you want repeatable results. Learning how to grill steak on pellet grill grills is a combination of preheating hot and giving yourself enough time to build color. Many pellet users like to reverse-sear: smoke at a lower temp first, then sear hot at the end.

For a straightforward approach to how to grill steaks on a pellet grill:

Preheat the pellet grill to its highest searing setting (often 450°F–500°F). If your grill has a sear plate or direct-flame mode, use it.
Dry steaks thoroughly, spritz lightly with Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray, and season with DDR BBQ Steak Seasoning Rub or Heath Riles Beef BBQ Rub.
Place the steaks on the grate and sear 3–4 minutes per side, lid closed, until you see deep color.
Check internal temp and continue to cook, flipping as needed, until your steaks reach 130°F–135°F for medium-rare or your desired doneness.
Rest before slicing.

If your pellet grill tops out at a lower temp, you can pre-warm a cast iron skillet directly on the grates and effectively pan-grill steak inside the grill, giving you deeper crust while still taking advantage of pellet smoke.

Thin Steaks, Thick Steaks, and Tomahawks

Not all steaks are created equal. How to grill a good steak depends heavily on thickness. Thin steaks (under 1 inch) do best with an all-direct, very hot cook, while thick steaks (1.5 inches or more) benefit from a sear-then-indirect or reverse-sear approach.

For thin cuts, like many sirloins or strip steaks under an inch, the best way to grill steak on charcoal or gas is often:

Preheat grill very hot.
Sear 2–3 minutes per side, lid open.
Check temperature early; they move from medium-rare to medium quickly.

For thick steaks and tomahawks, how to grill thick steaks on charcoal grill or gas often looks like:

Sear directly over high heat 2–3 minutes per side for crust.
Move to indirect heat and finish with lid closed until internal temp reaches your target.
Rest at least 10 minutes before slicing, especially for big tomahawk steaks.

Using well-balanced beef rubs like Texas Beef Rub Kosmos Q or Heath Riles Beef BBQ Rub helps you get big flavor on these thicker cuts without needing a complicated marinade.

How to Grill Flank Steak, Skirt Steak, and Kabobs

Flank and skirt are some of the best steaks to grill when you want big flavor in tacos, salads, and grain bowls. They’re thin, they love marinade, and they demand a hot, fast cook.

For a basic flank steak grill recipe or flank steak on grill recipe:

Marinate 2–4 hours in a mixture of oil, acid (like lime juice), and seasonings.
Preheat the grill to high.
Grill 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, aiming for medium-rare.
Rest, then slice thinly against the grain.

This approach also works for skirt steak recipes on the grill and for steak kabob recipe grill cooks using sirloin. A light dusting of DDR BBQ Steak Seasoning Rub after marinating can help sharpen the beef flavor without overpowering it.

How to Grill Pork Steaks the Right Way

Pork steaks deserve their own mention because they show up on a lot of backyard menus. Questions like how to grill pork steaks, how long to grill pork steaks at 350 or 400, and what temperature to grill pork steaks come up often when people transition from pan-cooking to grilling.

For pork steak recipes on the grill, think moderate heat and a slightly longer cook than beef. You’re usually aiming for at least 145°F internal with a short rest for safe, juicy pork. A savory steak seasoning like BBQue Texas Prime Time Steak & Chop Seasoning works extremely well on pork steaks and pork shoulder steaks on a gas grill.

General guidelines for how long to grill pork steaks:

Gas grill at 350°F–375°F: 18–25 minutes total, flipping every 4–5 minutes.
Charcoal grill (two-zone): Sear 2–3 minutes per side over direct heat, then move to indirect and cook 15–20 more minutes.
Target internal temp: 145°F–155°F depending on how you like your pork.

These ranges help with how long to cook pork steaks on grill, how long do you grill pork steaks before flipping, and how long to grill pork steaks on gas grill vs charcoal without overcooking them into dry hockey pucks.

Troubleshooting: Tough, Dry, or Gray Steak

If your steak is tough, dry, or gray instead of juicy and rosy in the center, you can adjust your approach and quickly improve your results.

Tough steak: Often comes from overcooking lean cuts like sirloin or from slicing with the grain instead of against it. For flank and skirt steak grill recipes, slicing across the grain is non-negotiable for tenderness.

Dry steak: Usually means the internal temp climbed too high or the steak spent too long over direct heat. Lower your finishing temp, rest your meat, and consider using a bit more surface fat via something like Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray to improve crust and moisture.

Gray, no-crust steak: Typically means your grill wasn’t hot enough or the surface of the steak was wet when it went on. Dry your steaks thoroughly, get the grill screaming hot, and use a strong, beef-forward rub like Texas Beef Rub Kosmos Q or Heath Riles Beef BBQ Rub to help build that rich, mahogany crust.

Grilled Steak FAQs

What is the best way to grill a ribeye steak?

The best way to grill a ribeye steak is to use high heat and a two-zone setup. Sear 2–3 minutes per side over very hot direct heat, then move the ribeye to indirect heat and finish to 130°F–135°F for medium-rare. Season generously with a steak rub like DDR BBQ Steak Seasoning Rub or Heath Riles Beef BBQ Rub and let the steak rest before slicing.

How hot should the grill be for steak?

For most steaks, aim for 450°F–550°F at the grate. That range gives you a deep crust without having to cook the inside forever. Thicker steaks can be seared hot and finished on indirect heat, while thinner steaks cook fully over direct heat in just a few minutes per side.

How do you grill a steak on charcoal for medium-rare?

To grill a steak on charcoal for medium-rare, sear it directly over the coals for 2–3 minutes per side, then move it to the cooler side of the grill and cook with the lid closed until it reaches about 130°F internal. Rest the steak 5–10 minutes before slicing. This pattern works well for ribeye, strip, and sirloin.

What’s the best way to season steak for BBQ?

The best way to season steak for BBQ is to keep it focused and beef-forward. Use kosher salt plus a dedicated steak or beef rub, and, if you want a touch of hardwood character, finish with a light sprinkle of Myron Mixon Hickory Salt Shaker. Avoid overly sugary blends at very high heat to prevent burning.

Can I use the same method for pork steaks?

You can use a similar approach for pork steaks, but drop your grill temp slightly and cook a bit longer. Aim for 350°F–375°F with a target internal temp of at least 145°F. A chop-friendly seasoning like BBQue Texas Prime Time Steak & Chop Seasoning works extremely well on pork steaks cooked over either gas or charcoal.

Conclusion: How to Grill the Perfect Steak Every Time

Learning how to grill steak the right way doesn’t require a fancy restaurant setup—just good cuts, smart seasoning, and solid fire management. Once you know the best steaks to grill, how hot the grill should be for steak, and how to hit your target internal temperature for medium-rare or medium, you can turn out steakhouse-quality results at home on gas, charcoal, or pellet grills.

Whether you’re searing thick ribeyes on a blazing hot charcoal grill, cooking sirloin steak recipes on a gas grill for family dinners, or dialing in steak on a pellet grill with a hard sear at the end, the fundamentals stay the same. Start with quality beef, season with proven blends like DDR BBQ Steak Seasoning Rub, Heath Riles Beef BBQ Rub, Texas Beef Rub Kosmos Q, or BBQue Texas Prime Time Steak & Chop Seasoning, use a high-heat fat like Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray for crust, and cook to temperature—not guesswork. Do that, and your backyard steaks will quickly become the benchmark everyone else tries to match.

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