10 Best Oils to Cook Steak With

Cast iron skillets are a great pan to use when cooking steak, as they already have their own seasoning if you’ve used it numerous times. And grapeseed oil is one of the best oils to cook steak in a cast iron. It has a high smoke point at 420°F and has a slight bitter taste, which is great for steaks.

There are several pros to the oil, as it’s one of the healthier options. It’s rich in vitamins and nutrients like Vitamin E and Omega-7 fatty acids, it’s natural and free of harmful ingredients. It’s very common on local grocery stores, or can be found on Amazon for a decent price.

Peanut oil has a smoking point of 450°F and has a mild nutty flavor that won’t clash with the protein’s natural flavors. However, it is an oil that not everyone enjoys, as sometimes they can pick up that nutty flavor more than others.

Pure peanut oil is also free of chemicals and solvents unlike other oils. It’s a wonderful oil for searing steaks. it’s rich in Vitamin E which can reduce the risk of heart disease. This is another ingredient that is incredibly common in grocery stores but can also be found on Amazon.

Olive oil is probably one of the most common and well-liked oils that can be used for steak. It has a distinct flavor, more herby or fruity, that is great for steaks. With a smoke point of 405°F, it’s one of the best options. Olive oil is also loaded with powerful antioxidants that can reduce chronic diseases, making it a decently healthy option.

It is all-natural, gluten free and non-allergenic, making it the perfect choice for cooking steak. Olive oil is very popular and can be found in several grocery stores and even on Amazon.

With a high smoke point of 400°F, Canola Oil is another oil that works very well with steak. It’s one of the best options for those that are frying steak. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and is trans-fat and cholesterol free.

It has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the protein and is one of the healthier options.

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Extracted from avocados, this has become a very popular oil to use in several different dishes. The oil is rich in heart-healthy fats and vitamins, like Omega 3. It also has a very high smoke point at 520°F, making it a great option. While it is a bit pricier, it’s well worth it. It has a mild nutty flavor that doesn’t impact the flavor much.

And with it, you can ensure that you’ll get an amazing sear and crust on your steak due to that high smoke point.

Safflower oil is an excellent choice for cooking steak, offering numerous health benefits alongside culinary versatility. Its high content of unsaturated fats, particularly linoleic acid, makes it a heart-healthy option, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels. Ideal for high-heat cooking, safflower oil maintains its integrity and flavor even at high temperatures, ensuring your steak is perfectly seared without any compromise in taste or texture.

This oil is also a good source of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that aids in protecting your cells from damage. With these benefits, safflower oil not only enhances the flavor of your steak but can also contribute positively to your overall health.

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Made from the meat of coconuts, coconut oil is a natural, slight tropical tasting oil with a smoke point between 400-450°F. It is more expensive than others, but it can be very worth it considering the health benefits and the flavor.

Thankfully, coconut oil is also useful in several other dishes, especially when working with vegan or dairy-free dishes, which could be a great reason to purchase it. Sometimes the tropical flavor can contrast a dish, but it’s usually a very mild taste, so you might not be able to pick up on it.

Vegetable oil can give your steak a wonderful sear and help prevent it from sticking to the pan due to its high smoke point at 400-450°F. It does take time for the oil to heat up, depending on if you are using a gas stove or an electric stove. It’s a versatile option for cooking steaks as it’s a blend of different plant-based oils.

There are some things to watch for, as it’s highly processed, may contain GMOs and usually has high omega-6 fatty acids.

Extracted from corn, the oil is high in polyunsaturated fats and has a high smoke point of 450°F, making it great for high cooking. Plus, it’s pretty affordable for those on a budget.

It’s suitable for a variety of dishes and other proteins like pork and fish. Some cons about this product are that some products may contain GMOs and high Omega-6 fatty acids.

Sesame oil is a great choice, while unique, when cooking steaks. It’s high in polyunsaturated fats and has a decent smoke point of 350°F. What makes this one of the best oils to cook steak is that it has such a distinct flavor profile that could really work with your dish.

The only downside to that is that it won’t work with every dish. It has a rich, nutty flavor that can elevate various steaks. It’s also rich in antioxidants. It can be hard to find this product as well, but thankfully Amazon has some great options.

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