How To Cook Frozen Steak On The Grill (4 Easy Steps)

On that rare sunny day or a hectic weeknight, you’re ready to make an amazing meal with your grill. But, the steaks in your freezer turn out to be frozen solid! Don’t panic – grilling them can actually provide you with better results than thawing and then grilling them.

It may seem strange, but so many chefs and home cooks are now trying and successfully making delicious frozen steak dinners in just 30-40 minutes.

How is this possible? It’s all in the cold temperature of a frozen steak that allows the inside to gradually heat up while cooking on the grill, creating a perfectly even pink interior.

This temperature also prevents becoming tough and less juicy which can happen when there’s an uneven charring of meats. Thus, if you’re short on time yet looking for a delicious treat from your grill, frozen steaks are your answer!

Key Takeaways:
  • Is It Possible To Grill A Frozen Steak?
  • Grilling Tips And Techniques For Frozen Steaks
  • The Process Of Grilling Frozen Steak In 4 Steps

Is it possible to grill a frozen steak?

Do you ever get a craving for a juicy, delicious steak and all you have in your freezer is one that’s frozen solid?

A lot of us might think we need to wait until it thaws before cooking but here’s the good news: You can cook a steak straight from the freezer and achieve an utterly tasty result – without any gray banding!

See, when grilling a frozen steak, the extreme cold temperature provides something of an insulation to the inner meat so when its exterior sizzles on the grill, the interior is heated at a slower rate.

This ensures that your steak emerges with an even pink color from edge to edge. In addition, tests conducted by our experts discovered that frozen-to-flame steaks had limited gray banding which tends to translate into more tender and juicier bites.

So if you’ve got yourself a scrumptious steak tucked away in your freezer don’t wait for it to thaw! Get your grill hot, embrace that chill, and enjoy succulent steak like never before. Bon appétit!

Grilling Tips And Techniques for Frozen Steaks

Grilling a frozen steak requires the right know-how and techniques, but with some finesse, you can enjoy an amazing result.

Follow this guide to make sure you’re getting the best out of your frozen steaks every time:

1. Set up your grill with two zones of heat:

For gas grills, set one side on high and one on low. Charcoal grills have a higher temperature zone if all the coals are placed on one side.

Sear your steak for a few minutes in the high-temperature area, then move it to the cooler side for indirect cooking.

2. Go big-size when grilling from frozen:

As frozen steak takes longer to cook than thawed meat, use steaks that are at least an inch thick – like Ribeye, Porterhouse, or New York Strip.

Too thin and they’ll overcook by the time their surface is as crisp as you’d expect for perfect searing.

3. Keep tabs on temperature with a thermometer:

Use an instant-read thermometer to track the internal temperature of your steak while cooking so you don’t end up over or undercooking it!

Take your steak off 5-10°F below its target temp before applying additional heat over coals usually known as carryover cooking.

DonenessBlue RareRareMedium RareMediumMedium WellWell Done
Temperature115°F120°F130°F140°F150°F160°F

4. Season after searing not beforehand:

Seasonings won’t […] stick properly when applied directly onto frozen meat, so wait until after searing before adding anything like salt, pepper, and other spices but only after moving it to the cooler side!

The process of grilling frozen steak in 4 steps

Grilling a delicious steak straight from the freezer can sound overwhelming, but with expert tips, you’ll be enjoying a succulent success in no time.

1. Freezing Your Steak Right

You want to get your freezing process right if you’re aiming for a great steak. If you’re prepping in advance, lay your steaks flat on a baking sheet then pop them in the freezer.

After they’ve frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container and make sure you squeeze out any excess air.

Good wrapping is key to avoiding freezer burn Plus, aim to grill your steaks within three to six months!

Don’t forget those flat steaks are the way to go it’s equally important whether you do this yourself or buy them pre-frozen.

2. Choosing Your Cut

This method works wonders for thick cuts of steak, like Porterhouse, ribeye, or T-bone with at least 1-1 ½ inch thickness; not as much with thin cuts like flank or skirt as these tend to cook quickly and may not have time to get properly browned.

3. Setting Up Your Grill

To guarantee perfection and sizzling succulence, set up your grill for two-zone cooking: one side of high direct heat; the other side of slightly lower indirect heat.

This is so that you can sear off your steak before finishing it off with some slow cooking on the cooler side of the grill. Yum!

4. The Grilling Process

Loaded with flavourful anticipation? Let’s get started!

Begin by searing your frozen steak on direct heat until there’s beautiful caramelization – usually takes about 10-14 minutes – flipping every few minutes for even cooking.

Generously season each side with salt and pepper – a pinch of Kosher salt does wonders here due to its increased clinginess – before taking it off for another round on indirect heat; need more color?

Reseason again: it won’t hurt! Move this over the cooler side of the grill element until cooked up just how you like it; serve and enjoy!

Related >> 11 Best Meat Slicers For Home Use

Final Thoughts

Don’t be intimidated by frozen steak grilling it up can definitely be a delicious success!

All you need to do is use the two-zone cooking technique, pick thicker cuts like Ribeye, Porterhouse, or New York Strip, and keep a watchful eye on your thermometer.

Following these tips will lead to an amazing meal in no time at all!