It is totally possible to make a restaurant quality steak right at home on the stove. This Cast Iron New York Steak recipe is my go to recipe for a delicious, perfectly home-cooked steak.

two New York steaks cooked in a cast iron skillet with garlic and thyme sprigs — Cast Iron Skillet New York Steak Images by Sarah Alvord

Cast Iron New York Steak

Do you ever have a craving for a juicy, hot steak, but don’t want to pay the heavy price tag at a steakhouse? I do!! That’s why my fam is crazy about this cast iron New York Steak recipe. It is easier than you might think to make a perfectly cooked steak right at home.

The trick is cooking the steak in a cast iron pan. It can get screaming hot and is perfect for getting the tastiest sear on the outside of the steak. I’ve got all the steps and tricks to help you create the most delicious home-cooked steak.

Why Cast Iron

While using a cast iron skillet to cook a New York steak might take you back to your grandma’s kitchen, it really is the best option for making a perfect steak at home.

Cast iron is famous for its heat-retaining abilities, like its superpower, which helps cook foods evenly and make that perfect crispy crust on the outside of the steak. Cast iron has a lovely non-stick finish that makes cleaning up a breeze. Who doesn’t love that on a busy weeknight?

With so many reasons to love and use it, cast iron is my go-to pan for making perfect stovetop New York steaks.

uncooked new york steaks on a wooden cutting board

Recommended Equipment

12 inch Cast Iron Skillet– this is the cast iron pan that I use in my kitchen. I really use it for everything from proteins to breads and even cookies!
Fish Spatula– or another spatula or even tongs, I love how wide and thin this spatula is, it makes getting under everything so easy.
Instant Read Thermometer– this will ensure that your steak is cooked perfectly every time by reading the internal temperature of the steak.

How to Choose A Good New York Steak

Before we jump into how to cook your steak, let’s talk about a few things to look for when picking out the perfect New York steak.

Marbling– look for a steak that has a good amount of marbling. This is the white lines of fat that are running throughout the steak. The fat will melt, cook, and caramelize while the steak cooks, adding a ton of flavor.
Shape– the steak should be more of an oval shape, as pictured above. Make sure it is all about the same size and thickness from top to bottom.
Thickness– there are thick and thin New York steak cuts available at my local butcher’s so make sure you are getting the size you want. I like to look for a steak that is 3/4-1 inch in thickness.

Talk to your butcher if you are unsure which steak to pick up, they truly are so helpful and you might just get the best steak available!

cooked and sliced new york steak on a wooden cutting board with thyme sprigs and cooked garlic

How to Cook New York Steak on Cast Iron

With just a few simple ingredients and a little time you can make a perfect homecooked steak for yourself or the whole fam:

Preheat– get the oven heating up to 425º F to get ready to finish cooking the steak.
Season Steaks– season the steaks on all sides liberally with sea salt and ground black pepper. Allow the steaks to sit at room temperature while the oven heats up.
Sear Steaks– heat the cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the avocado oil and butter. Cook the steaks on all sides for 2-3 minutes, until browned and slightly seared.
Place into the Oven– after the steaks are seared, add in one more tablespoon of butter, smashed garlic, and thyme leaves. Spoon butter over the steaks. Place the cast iron pan into the oven and finish cooking until the desired doneness, for an additional 5-8 minutes.
Rest– before slicing the steak, allow it to rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.

new york strip steaks cooking in a cast iron skillet in butter

Cooking Temperature for Steak

If you want the perfectly cooked steak you will need an instant-read thermometer. Using a thermometer will allow you to check the center temperature of the steak ensuring that you get it cooked just right. The following are the cooking temperatures for steak:

Rare– 120-130º F
Medium Rare– 130-135º F
Medium– 135-145º F
Medium Well– 145-155º F
Well– 155º F

I suggest cooking the steak to 125ºF and allowing it to rest before slicing.

sliced new york steak on a cutting board

What to Serve with New York Strip Steaks

New York steaks are a simple weeknight dinner. Serve with a cooked vegetable with a roll on the side, or make it for a special occasion, like Valentine’s dinner, and serve it with a baked potato, salad, and fruit crisp.

Other Cast Iron Recipes To Try:

If you love cooking in cast iron skillets, check out these other easy recipes:

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Cast Iron Smash Burger Recipe

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Cast Iron Ribeye Steak

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