Perfect Grilled New York Strip Steak: The Ultimate Recipe for Juicy, Tender Results

Mastering the art of grilling a New York strip steak can transform your backyard barbecue into a gourmet experience. With our expert techniques, you’ll achieve a steak that’s perfectly seared, incredibly juicy, and bursting with rich flavor every single time. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you get deliciously tender cuts of beef that will impress everyone at your table.

About This Grilled New York Strip Steak Recipe

Welcome to the ultimate guide for grilling an exceptional New York strip steak! After countless hours of experimentation and refining techniques, I’ve gathered the most effective tips and tricks to help you achieve perfect results consistently. This recipe isn’t just about cooking steak; it’s about elevating your grilling game to restaurant-quality standards right in your own backyard.

All you truly need is a high-quality New York strip steak and a reliable grill to bring this fantastic recipe to life. Typically, cooking a 1.5-inch thick steak to a flawless medium-rare takes approximately 12 to 14 minutes. The goal is to develop a beautiful, caramelized sear on the exterior, while preserving a tender, vibrant pink interior that will earn you rave reviews. This method ensures maximum flavor and juiciness, making every bite a memorable one.

The New York strip, also known as strip loin, Kansas City strip, or Omaha strip, is prized for its excellent balance of tenderness and robust beefy flavor. Its ideal marbling (streaks of fat within the lean meat) contributes significantly to its succulence and makes it exceptionally well-suited for high-heat grilling. By following these steps, you’ll unlock the full potential of this magnificent cut of beef.

Why This Grilling Method Delivers Perfection

Grilling a New York strip steak using this specific method is our top choice for achieving the most tender, flavorful, and consistently delicious results. Here are the key principles that make this approach so effective:

• Achieving Room Temperature: Taking your steak out of the refrigerator and allowing it to rest at room temperature for at least an hour before cooking is absolutely crucial. This step ensures the steak cooks more evenly from edge to center. A cold steak hitting a hot grill will cook unevenly, resulting in an overcooked exterior and a potentially raw interior. Bringing it to room temperature minimizes the thermal shock and allows for a more gentle and even cooking process, leading to a much more tender outcome.
• Enhanced Flavor with Marinade and/or Seasoning: While a quality New York strip steak boasts incredible natural flavor, incorporating a marinade or a well-chosen dry rub can elevate it further. A marinade, especially one with acidic components, helps tenderize the meat while infusing it with aromatic herbs and spices. A dry rub creates a flavorful crust during grilling, adding depth and complexity. These options allow for endless customization, ensuring your steak matches your desired taste profile every time you cook.
• The Critical Resting Period: After grilling, it’s imperative to let the meat rest. This often-overlooked step is vital for retaining moisture and tenderness. When steak cooks, the muscle fibers contract, pushing the juices towards the center. If you slice into it immediately, these juices will simply run out onto your cutting board, leaving you with a dry, less flavorful steak. Resting allows the muscle fibers to relax and the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the entire cut, resulting in a significantly juicier and more tender final product.

Essential Ingredients for Your Steak

For this recipe, we focus on the star of the show: a high-quality New York strip steak. Understanding this cut is key to grilling success:

• New York Strip Steak: This premium cut is also known by names like New York steak, Omaha Strip, or strip loin steak. It’s characterized by its fine marbling, which is the intramuscular fat that melts during cooking, imparting incredible tenderness, succulence, and a rich, beefy flavor. Its robust structure holds up exceptionally well to high heat, making it one of the most popular and rewarding choices for grilling. While this recipe is tailored for New York strip, the techniques can be successfully applied to other popular grilling cuts such as ribeye, sirloin, or even flank steak with slight adjustments to cooking times.
• Marinade (Optional, but Recommended): If you’re looking to infuse even more flavor and ensure maximum tenderness, consider using a simple 3-ingredient steak marinade. A good marinade not only adds layers of taste but can also help break down some of the connective tissues in the meat, further enhancing tenderness. It’s an excellent way to complement the inherent beefy flavor of the New York strip and customize it to your preference.
• Steak Dry Rub (Optional, but Highly Recommended): For an added boost of flavor and a fantastic crust, a steak dry rub is an excellent choice. You can easily make your own homemade blend with common pantry spices, or opt for a high-quality commercial rub like this Traeger beef dry rub. A thoughtfully crafted combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and other spices can truly elevate the taste of your grilled steak. Of course, for a classic approach, a generous seasoning of only coarse kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper is perfectly sufficient and incredibly delicious.
• Olive Oil: Essential for greasing the grill grates, preventing sticking, and contributing to that beautiful sear.

Must-Have Tools for Grilling Success

Equipping yourself with the right tools can make all the difference in achieving consistently perfect grilled steaks. Here are the must-haves for your grilling arsenal:

• Meat Thermometer: Without a doubt, the most important tool for grilling steak is a reliable meat thermometer. It’s the only way to accurately measure the internal temperature of your steak, guaranteeing it reaches your desired doneness without overcooking. Guessing can lead to disappointment, but a thermometer ensures precision every time. Investing in a good instant-read thermometer will pay dividends in perfectly cooked steaks.
• Grill: You can use any type of grill for this recipe – whether it’s a gas grill, pellet grill, or charcoal grill. The principles remain the same. If you’re in the market for a new grill, I highly recommend exploring options like a Traeger grill. Pellet grills offer excellent temperature control and infuse a wonderful smoky flavor. I often use Traeger grill signature pellets, but feel free to experiment with any wood pellet flavor that appeals to you, such as hickory, mesquite, or oak.
• Tongs: A sturdy pair of long-handled tongs is essential for safely flipping your steaks on the hot grill. Avoid using a fork, as piercing the meat can release precious juices.
• Butcher Knife: Once your steak is rested, a sharp butcher knife makes slicing a breeze. A good knife ensures clean, even cuts, preserving the integrity and presentation of your perfectly cooked steak.
• Cutting Board: A large, sturdy cutting board with a juice groove is ideal for resting and slicing your steaks, catching any residual juices.

Step-by-Step: How to Grill a New York Strip Steak

Bring Steaks to Room Temperature

Whether you’ve marinated your steaks or not, a crucial first step is to remove them from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before grilling, allowing them to sit at room temperature. You can let them rest for up to 90 minutes. This step is vital because it allows the steak to cook more evenly. When a cold steak hits a hot grill, the outside cooks much faster than the inside, leading to an overcooked exterior and a potentially undercooked center. By bringing the steaks closer to room temperature, you reduce the cooking time required on the grill, minimizing the risk of overcooking and ensuring a consistently tender result throughout.

Season Your Steak Generously

Before grilling, generously season all sides of your New York strip steaks. You can use coarse kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper for a classic flavor, or opt for your favorite steak rub for added complexity. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; a good rule of thumb is about 3/4 teaspoon of salt or dry rub per 1 pound of steak. Ensure all surfaces, including the edges, are thoroughly coated to create a delicious crust and enhance the overall flavor profile. This seasoning acts as a flavor enhancer and contributes significantly to the sear.

Preheat and Prepare the Grill

Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat setting. It’s essential to give your grill ample time to heat up completely, usually at least 10 to 15 minutes, regardless of the type of grill you are using. A properly preheated grill ensures even cooking and helps achieve a perfect sear. Once hot, carefully clean the grill grates with a wire brush, then lightly grease them with olive oil using a paper towel held by tongs. This prevents the steak from sticking and helps create those desirable grill marks.

Grill to Perfection

Once the grill is hot and ready, carefully place the seasoned steaks onto the grates. Position them at a slight angle to begin forming those signature crosshatch grill marks. Close the lid to help maintain consistent internal temperature and cook the steaks to your desired doneness. For even cooking and beautiful grill marks, flip the steaks every 2 minutes, rotating them 90 degrees each time you turn them. This technique ensures a consistent sear across the surface.

Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Remember to remove the steaks from the grill when they are approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit below your target final temperature, as they will continue to cook during the resting period (this is known as carryover cooking).

• For **Rare** steak, grill for about 12 minutes total, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 120˚F (it will rise to 125˚F while resting).
• For **Medium-Rare**, grill for about 14 minutes total, or until it reaches 130˚F (it will rise to 135˚F while resting).
• For **Medium**, grill for about 16 minutes total, or until it reaches 140˚F (it will rise to 145˚F while resting).

Detailed temperature guidance for all doneness levels is provided further down in the post for your convenience.

Allow the Steak to Rest

Upon reaching the desired internal temperature, remove the steaks from the grill and transfer them to a clean cutting board. It is crucial to let them rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes (and up to 15 minutes for thicker cuts). You can loosely tent them with foil to keep them warm. This resting period allows the juices, which have been drawn to the center of the steak during cooking, to redistribute throughout the entire cut. Skipping this step will result in a dry, less flavorful steak as the juices will simply escape when you slice it. After resting, slice against the grain and serve as desired.

Is New York Strip Steak Ideal for Grilling?

Absolutely, New York strip steaks are exceptionally well-suited for grilling! This cut is renowned for its perfect blend of characteristics that make it a favorite among steak lovers and grill masters alike. With its rich marbling – the fine streaks of fat distributed throughout the muscle – the New York strip offers both tenderness and a deeply beefy flavor. This fat renders beautifully on the grill, basting the meat from within and ensuring an incredibly juicy steak with a fantastic crust. Its relatively thick, uniform shape also allows for even cooking and excellent heat retention, making it forgiving for beginners and rewarding for experienced grillers. You’ll consistently achieve a succulent, flavorful steak right off the grill.

What if My Steaks Are Thinner Than 1-inch?

If your New York strip steaks are thinner than the recommended 1 to 1.5 inches, you will definitely need to adjust your cooking time significantly to prevent overcooking. Thinner steaks cook much faster, making it challenging to achieve a good sear while maintaining your desired internal doneness. We generally recommend sticking to steaks that are at least 1-inch thick for optimal results. Thicker cuts allow for more time on the grill to develop that desirable caramelized crust (the Maillard reaction) on the exterior without the interior becoming overdone. If you must grill thinner steaks, increase your grill temperature slightly, aim for very quick flips (every 60-90 seconds), and monitor the internal temperature with your meat thermometer even more frequently.

What Is the Best Grill Temperature for New York Strip?

For grilling a New York strip steak, we highly recommend setting your grill to a medium-high temperature, which typically ranges between 375˚F and 450˚F. This temperature range is ideal because it’s hot enough to create a fantastic sear and develop a flavorful, caramelized crust on the outside of the steak – crucial for that delicious char and texture. At the same time, it allows the interior of the steak to cook more thoroughly and evenly without burning the exterior. For the best possible sear and to maximize the Maillard reaction (the chemical reaction responsible for browning and flavor development), we suggest aiming for the higher end of this range, closer to 450˚F. This high initial heat quickly locks in juices and creates an incredible crust.

Can I Use a Gas Grill, Pellet Grill, or Charcoal Grill?

Absolutely! This versatile grilling method can be successfully applied to any type of grill you have available. Whether you’re using a convenient gas grill, a smoky pellet grill, or a classic charcoal grill, the core principles of direct heat grilling, proper temperature management, and steak doneness remain consistent. The most important factor is understanding your specific grill and its hot spots. With a charcoal grill, for example, you’ll need to be mindful of creating distinct direct and indirect heat zones to manage flare-ups and ensure even cooking. Simply aim to match the recommended medium-high temperatures mentioned in the recipe as closely as you can, and always rely on your meat thermometer for accurate results, regardless of your grill type.

Why Is Resting Steak So Important?

Resting your steak is arguably one of the most critical steps in achieving a truly juicy and tender result, and it’s a step often overlooked by home cooks. Here’s why it’s so important: When a steak cooks at high temperatures, the muscle fibers contract and tighten, forcing the internal juices towards the center of the meat. If you were to slice into the steak immediately after removing it from the grill, these juices, still under pressure, would simply gush out onto your cutting board. This results in a dry, less flavorful steak, as all that precious moisture is lost.

By allowing the steak to rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes (or even longer for thicker cuts), you give the muscle fibers time to relax. As they relax, the juices, which have accumulated in the center, begin to redistribute evenly throughout the entire piece of meat. This re-absorption ensures that every bite of your steak is moist, tender, and incredibly flavorful. Don’t rush this step – patience is key to a perfectly juicy steak!

What Temperature Defines Medium Rare Steak?

Achieving a perfect medium-rare New York strip steak on the grill is a goal for many steak enthusiasts, typically requiring about 13 to 14 minutes of total cooking time for a 1.5-inch thick cut. However, cooking times can vary based on steak thickness, grill temperature consistency, and even external weather conditions. This is precisely why an accurate meat thermometer is your best friend in the kitchen (or backyard!).

For quick and easy reference, here’s a detailed guide to steak doneness temperatures:

• Rare: 125˚F (remove from grill at 120˚F) – Cool red center.
• Medium Rare: 135˚F (remove from grill at 130˚F) – Warm red center.
• Medium: 145˚F (remove from grill at 140˚F) – Warm pink center.
• Medium Well: 155˚F (remove from grill at 150˚F) – Slightly pink center.
• Well Done: 160˚F+ (remove from grill at 155˚F+) – Little to no pink.

Need some fresh inspiration for dinner this week? Dive into my collection of main dish recipes!

Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Grilled New York Steak

A perfectly grilled New York strip steak deserves equally delicious companions. The versatility of grilled steak means it pairs beautifully with a wide array of easy side dishes. Here are some of our personal favorites that complement the rich flavors of beef:

• Smoky Charred Corn: A simple yet flavorful side that can be cooked directly on the grill alongside your steaks. Smoky charred corn adds a touch of sweetness and char that beautifully balances the savory steak.
• Bright and Summery Salads: For a refreshing contrast, try a watermelon feta salad. Its sweet, salty, and tangy notes make it a total crowd-pleaser, especially perfect for backyard barbecue gatherings.
• Flavorful Pasta Salads: Who doesn’t love a good pasta salad? This zesty sun-dried tomato pasta salad or a bright summer pasta salad are both excellent pairings that offer a satisfying textural and flavor contrast.
• Elegant Melon Prosciutto Salad: For something a little more sophisticated, the easy melon prosciutto salad combines the sweetness of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew with the savory saltiness of prosciutto, creating a delightful appetizer or side.
• Hearty Potato Sides: If you’re craving a more substantial potato side, it doesn’t get any better than these loaded bacon potato skewers, finished with a creamy roasted garlic aioli drizzle.
• Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad: A vibrant Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad brings together all your favorite fresh, zesty Mediterranean flavors in one simple bowl.

To further enhance your steak experience, don’t forget to serve it with some delectable aioli sauces or a dollop of rich garlic herb butter. These are perfect if you’re planning to serve your grilled New York strip steak with fries, creating your own elevated “steak frites” experience. Consider roasted garlic aioli, classic garlic aioli, or even a chipotle aioli for a delightful spicy kick. You could also top the finished steak with a pat of compound butter packed with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor as it melts.

And if you’d like to conclude your magnificent meal with something sweet yet simple, be sure to try one of our favorite 3-ingredient dessert recipes!

Storing and Reheating Your Grilled Steak

Proper storage and reheating ensure that any leftover grilled New York strip steak remains delicious.

Store: To keep your leftover steak fresh, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This prevents bacterial growth and maintains flavor.

Reheat: Reheating steak while preserving its tenderness and juiciness can be tricky, but it’s entirely possible. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to dry out the meat. Instead, opt for the grill or oven for best results:

• On the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the steak on the grill and heat for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until warmed through to your liking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking.
• In the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325˚F (160˚C). Place the steak on a baking sheet and reheat for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature. A splash of beef broth can be added to the baking sheet to help keep the steak moist.

Explore More Steak Recipes

If you loved grilling this New York strip, there are plenty more steak recipes to master and enjoy:

• Our balsamic glazed grilled flank steak offers a different flavor profile and cut, perfect for pairing with fries for a fresh, easy take on steak frites.
• Ready to tackle another magnificent cut? Try out this method for the perfect ribeye steak, known for its rich marbling and incredible flavor.
• For a convenient and flavorful complete meal, these steak fajita foil packets combine tender steak, colorful peppers, and onions all in one easy-to-clean package.

Finally, if you whip up this grilled New York strip steak recipe, please be sure to show your appreciation by giving it a star rating on the recipe card and/or leaving a comment below! I genuinely love hearing about your cooking experiences, and I make an effort to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop any questions you might have as well!

Oh, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! It brings me immense joy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens – scrolling through those photos is truly my favorite thing. Your shares mean the world to me!