Best Frying Pan To Cook the Perfect Steak (2024)

As I slowly laid the bright red slab of meat onto the screaming hot, smooth surface of the pan I knew it was going to be really good.  

The sizzle of the steak sounded like music to my ears and the smell that filled the kitchen was absolutely out of this world.  

​The testing was over.  I found the right pan to use when I want to make a delicious steak at home.

A guy recently asked me for my opinion on the best frying pan for steak.  I didn’t know the answer.

I make steaks at home on a regular basis.  

I know how to cook a delicious steak and I think I’ve got the cooking process down.  

But I didn’t have all of the information I needed to answer this important question.

There are a handful of steak recipes that I like to make when I cook at home. 

For example, a New York strip turned into a steak pizzaiola is really a beautiful dish.  

I make mine with olive oil, garlic, onions, tomatoes and some capers.  

When I make it, it’s important to get a hard sear on it.  Hard sears means that the steaks get a nice crust on the outside without getting cooked too much on the inside. 

The inside is going to finish cooking in the tomato sauce.

But I wasn’t confident enough to tell this guy what pan he should be using.  

I decided to do some research by cooking steak on a few different types of pans that home cooks most likely have in their kitchens.

I figured the best pans to use for the test were a stainless steel pan, a cast iron pan and a non-stick frying pan.

I chose pans that were high quality so they’d withstand high temperatures and have good heat retention. 

My goal with each test was to get a perfectly cooked medium rare steak with a great sear.

I conducted my test using thick rib eye steaks.  Being able to cook a thick steak with the perfect sear is something steak enthusiasts should master. 

So if you’re looking for the secret to making the perfect steak you came to the right place. 

Here’s what I discovered when I was trying to find the best fry pans to make a perfectly cooked steak.

Stainless Steel Frying Pan

I cooked the first steak on a stainless steel skillet. Some of the best skillets on the market are made with stainless steel.

Stainless steel cookware is usually good quality.  It doesn’t rust and it should last a long time.  

I made sure that before I cooked the steak I put the pan on medium-high heat.  Preheating a stainless steel pan is important if you don’t want your food to stick.

Also, I liked the fact that I could put the pan in the oven to finish cooking the steak.  

Stainless steel handles get really hot so make sure you use a dry towel or oven mitt when you grab the pan.

I put the steak in the hot pan with a little bit of olive oil.  

When I tried to flip the steak it was stuck to the bottom of the pan.  I gave it another minute and it wasn’t stuck any more.

I cooked it on both sides and got a good sear.  I was happy with the results.

Nonstick Frying Pan

The next test I did was with a nonstick pan.  I know that nonstick pans get a bad rap these days.  

There are some studies that show the nonstick coating isn’t good for us.

But, this test isn’t about the safest pan to use.  I’m on the hunt for the frying pan that makes the best steak.

So I fried a steak on a big, heavy nonstick frying pan with a stainless steel handle.

I preheated the pan on medium high and add a little oil.  I cooked the steak on both sides just like I did with the other pans. 

When it was time to flip the steak it looked great.  

I cooked it on the other side for a few minutes and took it out of the pan.

I was happy with the results…but was it the best pan to use?

I had to keep testing.

Cast Iron Frying Pan

My next test was with a cast-iron skillet.  A cast iron pan is something everyone should own.

I have a Lodge cast iron skillet at my house.  It’s a heavy pan.  

A couple of the features I like about lodge skillets are the pour spouts and the helper handle.

The pour spouts come in handy when you want to drain off bacon grease or cooking oil.  

The helper handle makes it easy to use two handles when the pan is filled up and too heavy for one hand.

When I tested the cast iron pan I used a little olive oil and let it preheat on medium-high. 

I let it cook on each side for the same length that I did with the stainless steel pan.

I let it rest for a few minutes and cut into it.  It was a perfectly seared steak with a beautiful crust.  

The inside was medium-rare just like I wanted it.

I ended up with a nice pan-seared steak that was cooked medium rare.  

Best Frying Pan for Steak: Test Results

I have to say that the cast iron skillet had the best results.  

It’s a heavy duty pan.

The meat looked like something you’d get at a high end steak house.  It was a beautiful juicy steak with the perfect crust.

How to Fry the Perfect Steak

If you want to know how I make a great steak, here’s a step-by-step guide.

This method will work most cuts of meat.  You can do it with thicker cuts like rib eye steak and filet mignon.  

You can also try it with thinner cuts of meat like  skirt steak and hanger steak.

I cook steak at home at least once a week.  I think this is the best way to do it. 

Step One

Coat the steak on both sides with olive oil.  Season both sides of the steak with lots of Kosher salt or sea salt and some black pepper.

Allow the steak to come to room temperature before you start cooking.

Step Two

Place your pan on the stove over medium-high heat for about two minutes. 

You’ll know the pan is ready for cooking when a water droplet quickly disappears when it hits the surface.

Place the seasoned steak on the hot pan.  There’s no need to oil the pan because you already coated the steak in oil.

Let the steak cook in the pan for 5 minutes without moving it.  This will give the steak a really good crust.  

Step Three

Flip the steak to the other side.  If the steak is sticking to the pan, wait until it releases itself and then flip it. 

Let the steak cook on the other side for an additional 4 minutes without moving it.  

Take the steak out of the pan and let it rest on a plate or cutting board for at least 10 minutes. 

I think this is the best cooking method for just about any cut of steak.   

And based on my experience, the nonstick skillet is the best option for frying pans. 

Best Frying Pan for Steak: FAQ

What is the best temperature to cook a steak?

That’s really a personal preference.  However, I like a medium-rare steak.  To get a perfectly cooked medium-rare steak you want the internal temperature to be 130-135 degrees f.  Use a meat thermometer to get an accurate reading.

What type of oil should I use when I fry a steak?

Some people might disagree with me because it doesn’t have a high smoke point, but I suggest olive oil.

Olive oil adds a lot of great flavor to the steak when you sear it. It creates a beautiful crust on the outside of the meat. 

Does this type of pan work well with other kinds of meat?

Yes.  Even though I did my test with rib eye steaks, you can use nonstick skillets with different cuts of meat.  

The cooking method I described above in this article is also perfect for pork chops.

What’s a good way to use leftover steak?

If you ever have leftover steak, don’t waste it.  

Slice it up nice and thin and make steak sandwiches with mushrooms, onions and melted Swiss cheese.

How can I get beautiful char marks on a steak when I cook it inside?

If you like those beautiful grill marks on your steak, but it’s not grilling season, don’t worry. I have you covered.

Just get a nonstick grill pan and put it on the stove at medium-high heat.  When it’s piping hot, place your oiled and seasoned steak on the pan and don’t move it. 

As the meat cooks you’ll get the grill marks you want.  This is one of the best methods for getting the outdoor cooking look when you’re indoors. 

So after all of the testing and research I think you should use a good quality non-stick skillet for your next steak dinner.