Sirloin steak in a cast iron skillet

Preheat a heavy cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. A hot skillet delivers the best sear. Add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pan (enough to coat the bottom). Immediately place your steaks in the hot skillet and sear them for 1 minute on each side.

Why your cast-iron skillet works so well. Better heat conduction: Your grill's grates concentrate heat wherever they touch, but the cast-iron surface helps temper those hotspots. The cast-iron also distributes the heat for more even cooking throughout, as well as for a more consistent crust over the steak's surface.

Beef sirloin just might be America's favorite cut of beef, for good reason: it's readily available at grocery stores, affordable, and tender enough for quick, high-heat cooking like grilling or pan-searing.

How Long to Cook Steak for Medium Rare? In the skillet, it will be about 3 to 4 minutes on each side to get it to medium rare temperature. Use a meat thermometer to reach the perfect medium rare steak temperature of 135°F / 57.2°C.