Reverse Seared Steak Fajitas Recipes

THE CORRECT WAY TO REVERSE SEAR A STEAK

Steps:

• Season steaks generously with either coarse salt and pepper or your favorite steak rub. You can do this step several hours or even a day in advance.
• Preheat an oven or smoker to between 225 and 275 degrees. A lower heat setting will yield a juicier steak because the heat is gentle, but it takes much longer to reach the desired internal temperature.
• Drizzle the steaks with a thin layer of oil and place them on a metal rack set inside a cookie sheet to catch drippings. If you're using a smoker, you can set the steaks directly on the grilling rack. This allows airflow and keeps the exterior dry. You'll need that to achieve a good crust when you go to sear it at the end.
• Insert an oven-safe thermometer in the meat at the thickest point and place the meat in the oven or smoker. You'll need to know where the internal temp stands throughout the process to avoid having to constantly open the door and prick the meat with a probe. Pull the steaks when they reach about 15 degrees below your target temperature.
• For a final target temp of 125 degrees (rare), pull from oven at 110 degrees. For a final target temp of 130 degrees (medium-rare), pull from oven at 115 degrees. For a final target temp of 135 degrees (medium), pull from oven at 120 degrees.
• Let the steaks rest on the counter while you pre-heat a frying pan over high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and swirl to coat the bottom. When the pan is smoking hot, lay the steaks down and sear for about 30 seconds on each side. At this point you can add herbs and butter and baste the steaks for more flavor.
• You don't need to let the steaks rest because they were cooked so gently in the oven. Don't feel guilty about digging right in!
• *If cooking bear or hog loin, you'll want to make adjustments so that the final target temp is 165 degrees, which means you'll take it out of the oven at 150 degrees. For a thick turkey breast, you want to aim for a final temp of 155 to 160 degrees and remove it at 140 to 145 degrees.

THE BEST REVERSE-SEAR METHOD FOR THICK STEAKS

Steps:

• Remove steaks from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before cooking to bring them to room temperature.
• Position racks in the middle and lower third of the oven. Place a cast iron skillet on the bottom rack. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
• Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and season generously on all sides with salt and pepper. Place on the wire rack on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Continue baking, checking internal temperature every 10 minutes, until steaks reach 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) for medium-rare. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Use an oven mitt to remove the hot cast iron skillet from the oven. Set it over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add oil; heat until it barely starts smoking. Carefully add the steaks, releasing them away from you so the oil doesn't splatter in your direction. Cook until a golden crust forms, turning only once, 2 minutes per side. Use tongs to stand steaks on their sides to render any fat.
• Reduce heat to low and add butter, rosemary, and garlic. Baste steaks with the butter mixture using a spoon, about 3 minutes. Move steaks onto a cutting board and let rest for about 10 minutes.
• Serve steaks whole or sliced, finished with sea salt flakes.

SEARED-STEAK FAJITAS

Steps:

• In a shallow dish or bowl, combine steak, soy sauce, and 1/4 cup lime juice. Refrigerate 1 hour, turning steak occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice. Set garlic oil aside.
• Remove steak from marinade and blot dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. In a cast-iron or heavy skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high. Cook steak until medium-rare, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and loosely tent with foil.
• Add peppers and onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in reserved garlic oil. Thinly slice steak and serve with vegetables, tortillas, cheese, tomato, and cilantro.