Have you ever been in the mood for a delicious steak, only to find out that your steak is still frozen? Most people think they have to thaw the steak first before cooking it, but that’s not always true! Food expert Dan Souza has an amazing tip: you don’t need to thaw frozen steaks before cooking them. In fact, cooking a steak straight from the freezer might make it even juicier and tastier!
Dan Souza, who is the editor-in-chief of Cook’s Illustrated and the host of America’s Test Kitchen, did an experiment to test if cooking frozen steaks works. He made a video about it, and it has been watched by over 6.2 million people! In this video, Dan shows how cooking frozen steaks can still give you a perfectly cooked, juicy steak without thawing it first.
Source: YouTube
Dan Souza’s Frozen Steak Experiment
For his experiment, Dan took a large strip loin steak and cut it into four pieces. He froze all four pieces by sealing them in vacuum bags. But here’s where the fun starts: the night before cooking, Dan took two of the steaks out of the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. The other two pieces stayed frozen.
On the day of cooking, Dan seared both the thawed and frozen steaks in a hot skillet for 90 seconds on each side. This is just long enough to give the outside a nice, brown crust. After searing, he moved the steaks to an oven that was preheated to 275°F. He left the steaks in the oven until they reached an internal temperature of 125°F, which is the perfect temperature for medium-rare steak.
The thawed steaks took about 10-15 minutes to cook in the oven, but the frozen steaks took a little longer, needing about 18-22 minutes. Even though the frozen steaks took more time, they cooked perfectly and looked just as good as the thawed steaks!
Source: YouTube
The Surprising Results
Dan’s experiment gave some surprising results. You might think that frozen steaks would cook unevenly or not taste as good, but the opposite happened! The frozen steaks actually cooked better in some ways. Dan noticed that the frozen steaks had thinner “gray bands” of overcooked meat just below the crust. This means more of the steak stayed pink, juicy, and tender.
Not only did the frozen steaks have less overcooked meat, but they also lost less moisture while cooking. The frozen steaks lost about 9% less moisture than the thawed steaks. This is really important because keeping the moisture inside the steak helps it stay juicy and full of flavor. No one likes a dry steak, so this was a huge win for the frozen steaks.
What About Taste?
The taste test was the final step in Dan’s experiment. Both the thawed and frozen steaks looked amazing, but when people tasted them, they found something interesting: the frozen steaks tasted just as good as the thawed steaks, and some people even liked the frozen steaks better! They were juicy, flavorful, and had that perfect crust on the outside.
This experiment proved that you don’t always need to thaw your steaks. Frozen steaks can cook just as well and might even be juicier and more delicious!
Source: YouTube
Why Frozen Steaks Cook So Well
Now you might be wondering: why did the frozen steaks cook so well? The answer lies in the science of cooking. Because the outside of the frozen steak is colder, it browns without overcooking the inside as quickly. This means you get a nice, crispy crust on the outside while the inside stays juicy and tender.
Another reason is that frozen steaks cook more slowly, which gives you more control over the cooking process. When you cook a thawed steak, it can overcook quickly if you’re not careful. But with a frozen steak, the cooking happens more slowly, which reduces the chance of overcooking.
How to Freeze and Cook Steaks Perfectly
If Dan Souza’s experiment convinced you to cook steaks from the freezer, you’ll want to know the best way to freeze and cook them.
Here’s what Dan suggests:
- Freeze Properly: When you’re freezing steaks, don’t just throw them in the freezer. First, lay the steaks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them uncovered for a few hours or overnight. This helps dry out the surface and prevents ice crystals from forming. Ice crystals can make the steak taste watery when you cook it.
- Wrap Them Right: After the steaks are frozen, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then put them in an airtight freezer bag. This keeps them from getting freezer burn and helps them stay fresh.
- Sear and Cook with Extra Oil: When it’s time to cook your frozen steaks, Dan suggests using a little more oil than usual. Add enough oil to your skillet to create a layer about 1/8 inch deep. This helps the steak sear properly. Using a big skillet can also help keep your kitchen cleaner by reducing oil splashes.
- Watch the Time: Remember, frozen steaks take longer to cook than thawed ones. Keep an eye on the steak’s internal temperature, and don’t worry if it takes longer in the oven. The extra cooking time will be worth it when you take a bite of that juicy steak!
A Game-Changer for Busy Cooks
For many of us, the idea of cooking a steak straight from the freezer is a real time-saver. If you’ve ever forgotten to thaw your steak or decided last-minute that you want steak for dinner, this method can be a game-changer. You don’t have to wait hours for the meat to thaw, and you still get a juicy, flavorful steak in the end.
Dan Souza’s experiment shows that cooking frozen steaks works really well. While fresh, never-frozen steaks might still be the best, cooking a steak straight from the freezer is a great option when you don’t have fresh meat on hand.
Conclusion: You Don’t Need to Thaw Steak Before Cooking
Next time you’re craving a steak but realize it’s still in the freezer, don’t worry! You can cook it straight from frozen and still get a delicious, juicy steak with a perfect crust. Thanks to Dan Souza’s experiment, we now know that frozen steaks can be just as tasty as thawed ones. So, save yourself some time and try cooking your next steak straight from the freezer!
Make sure to check out Dan Souza’s video for even more tips and tricks on cooking frozen steaks. And don’t forget to share these handy tips with your friends and family!
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