Steak is usually cooked in a pan, on a griddle, or over a BBQ, but cooking steak in the oven can be a great option too, especially if you are cooking a thicker steak or want a more controlled finish.

The oven gives you steady heat, helps cook the steak more evenly, and means you do not have to stand over a smoking-hot pan for the whole cook. You can cook steak fully in the oven, or sear it first in a hot pan and then finish it in the oven for a better crust.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to cook steak in the oven, how long it takes, what temperature to use, which cuts work best, and how to rest the steak properly before serving.

Why Cook Steak in the Oven?

Cooking steak in the oven gives you more control, especially with thicker cuts.

A hot frying pan is great for building a crust, but it can be easy to overcook the outside before the middle is where you want it. The oven gives a gentler, more even heat, which can help you reach your preferred doneness without burning the outside.

It is also handy if you are cooking more than one steak at a time, or if you want to sear the steak first and then let the oven finish the cooking.

What Steaks Can You Cook in the Oven?

Most thicker steaks can be cooked in the oven.

Good options include:

• Ribeye steak - Rich, juicy and full of flavour thanks to its marbling.
• Sirloin steak - A good all-rounder with a balance of flavour and tenderness.
• Fillet steak - Very tender and well suited to gentler cooking.
• Rump steak - Full of flavour and good value, but best not overcooked.
• T-bone or porterhouse steak - Larger steaks that can benefit from finishing in the oven.

Thin steaks are usually better cooked quickly in a pan. Oven cooking works best for steaks around 1 inch thick or thicker.

Should You Sear Steak Before Putting It in the Oven?

For the best flavour, yes, searing first is usually worth it.

Searing the steak in a hot pan gives you colour, crust and extra flavour. The oven then finishes cooking the steak more gently in the middle.

You can cook steak fully in the oven without searing, but it will not have the same browned crust. If you want that proper steakhouse-style finish, sear it first, then finish it in the oven.

How to Cook Steak in the Oven

This method is best for a boneless steak around 1 inch thick, such as sirloin, ribeye, rump or fillet.

Ingredients

• 1 boneless steak, around 1 inch thick
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper, to taste
• Optional: butter, garlic, rosemary or thyme

Method

1. Bring the steak to room temperature - Remove the steak from the fridge around 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.
2. Preheat the oven - Preheat your oven to 200°C / 190°C fan / Gas Mark 6.
3. Season the steak - Rub the steak with olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper.
4. Sear for flavour - Heat a frying pan until very hot, then sear the steak for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until browned.
5. Transfer to the oven - Place the steak on a baking tray, or keep it in an oven-safe pan if using one.
6. Cook to your liking - Roast in the oven until the steak reaches your preferred doneness. Use the timings below as a guide.
7. Rest the steak - Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
8. Finish - Add a little butter, garlic or herbs while resting if you want extra flavour.

How Long to Cook Steak in the Oven

For a 1 inch thick steak cooked at 200°C / 190°C fan / Gas Mark 6, use these timings as a rough guide.

Oven-only method

• Rare: around 10 minutes
• Medium rare: around 12 minutes
• Medium: around 14 minutes
• Medium well: around 16 minutes
• Well done: around 18 minutes

Sear first, then finish in the oven

• Rare: 5 to 6 minutes in the oven after searing
• Medium rare: 6 to 8 minutes in the oven after searing
• Medium: 8 to 10 minutes in the oven after searing
• Medium well: 10 to 12 minutes in the oven after searing
• Well done: 12 to 14 minutes in the oven after searing

Steak Internal Temperatures

If you are using a meat thermometer (which we would highly recommend), use these internal temperatures as a guide:

• Rare: 52°C
• Medium rare: 57°C
• Medium: 63°C
• Medium well: 66°C
• Well done: 71°C and above

The temperature can rise slightly while the steak rests, so take it out just before it reaches your final target if you want to be precise.

Can You Cook Steak in the Oven Without Searing?

Yes, you can cook steak in the oven without searing, but the outside will not be as browned.

If you want a simple oven-only method, season the steak, place it on a baking tray, and cook at 200°C / 190°C fan / Gas Mark 6 until it reaches your preferred doneness.

This works, but for better flavour and texture, I’d recommend searing either before or after oven cooking.

What Is Reverse Searing?

Reverse searing means cooking the steak gently in the oven first, then finishing it in a hot pan at the end.

This method is great for thicker steaks because the oven brings the middle up to temperature gently, then the hot pan gives you a crust right before serving.

To reverse sear, cook the steak in the oven until it is just below your target temperature, rest briefly, then sear in a very hot pan for 1 to 2 minutes each side.

Should You Rest Steak After Cooking?

Yes, always rest steak after cooking.

Resting gives the juices time to settle back through the meat. If you slice into steak straight from the oven, more of those juices will run out onto the plate.

For most steaks, rest for around 5 minutes before serving. Larger or thicker steaks may benefit from a little longer.

What to Serve with Oven-Cooked Steak

Oven-cooked steak works with all the classic steak sides.

Good options include:

• Chips or fries
• Mashed potatoes
• Roast potatoes
• Peppercorn sauce
• Garlic butter
• Grilled vegetables
• Green salad
• Mushrooms
• Onion rings
• Roasted tomatoes

Tips for Cooking Steak in the Oven

• Use thicker steaks for best results.
• Take the steak out of the fridge before cooking.
• Season just before cooking.
• Sear first if you want a better crust.
• Use a meat thermometer if you want accurate results.
• Rest the steak before slicing.
• Do not overcook lean cuts like fillet or rump.

Final Thoughts

Cooking steak in the oven is a useful method, especially for thicker cuts like ribeye, sirloin, fillet, rump and T-bone.

For the best result, sear the steak in a hot pan first, then finish it in the oven until it reaches your preferred doneness. Rest it for 5 minutes, then serve with chips, potatoes, salad, sauce or whatever you fancy.

Once you get the timing right, oven-cooked steak is simple, reliable and a lot less smoky than frying it from start to finish.

FAQs

How do you cook steak in the oven?

Season the steak, sear it in a hot pan for 1 to 2 minutes each side, then finish it in the oven at 200°C / 190°C fan / Gas Mark 6 until cooked to your liking.

How long does steak take in the oven?

A 1 inch thick steak usually takes around 6 to 10 minutes in the oven after searing, depending on whether you want it rare, medium rare or medium.

Can you cook steak in the oven without searing?

Yes, but the steak will not have the same browned crust. Searing before or after oven cooking gives better flavour and texture.

What temperature should you cook steak in the oven?

For a simple oven steak method, cook at around 200°C / 190°C fan / Gas Mark 6.

What steak is best for oven cooking?

Thicker steaks work best in the oven, including ribeye, sirloin, fillet, rump and T-bone.

Should you cover steak in the oven?

No, you do not usually need to cover steak in the oven. Leaving it uncovered helps avoid steaming the outside.

Do you rest steak after cooking?

Yes, rest steak for around 5 minutes after cooking so the juices settle back through the meat.