What Makes the Perfect Steak? Our Chefs Dig In.

At Mac’s Chophouse, we’re known for our approach to classic American steakhouse cuisine. From our locally-sourced ingredients to our extensive selection of cocktails, wine, and bourbon to pair, there isn’t an area on our menu where our chef’s don’t shine. 

But if we had to pick a favorite off our dinner menu, it would be our steaks. As a Marietta steakhouse on the square, it’s to be expected. 

But what makes these steaks so perfect? Well, we won’t give away all of our secrets, but there are a few tips and tricks our chefs are willing to share about how to make the perfect steak at home. Let's dig in. 

• It Matters Where You Buy Your Beef

Grocery stores just don’t cut it when you’re trying to reach culinary perfection with a steak. A butcher shop will supply you with the highest-quality, most fresh and flavorful cuts in the area. They’re also more likely to stock ethically-sourced, hormone-free meat than a supermarket. 

• Pick a Cut That’s Easier to Get Right

Whether you’re a beginner or just frustrated with how your steaks always turn out, the cut of meat that you’re buying could be playing a big role. Leaner steaks tend to dry out easier and have less flavor; but a ribeye steak with its extra fat and marbling means less  marinating and less fuss during preparation, for much better tasting results. 

• Prep is Key

Sometimes, the simplest ingredients make the most impact. Season your beef with a clove of garlic that’s been cut in half; simply run it over the entire steak for an easy rub. You also can’t go wrong with freshly ground pepper and sea salt on both sides of the steak: you’re looking for a light crust, so it might take more than you think. 

• Time to Cook!

Most restaurants use a particular method to get the perfectly-cooked steak. This involves not a grill but a stovetop sear in a pan to crust up both sides, followed by roasting the steak in the oven to get the inside to the perfect temperature. Don’t forget to sear the edges! Using organic butter for searing does the trick, and employing a meat thermometer should help you get to the perfect medium rare state with a nicely browned crust. 

• Let It Rest

When you've just spent time preparing the perfect steak, it can be hard to resist taking a bite right away. But letting the steak “rest” for five minutes before serving can make or break a steak, truly. Placing your steak on an oven-warmed plate and covering it with aluminum foil before serving will not only allow the inside of the steak to continue to cook to your desired doneness, but it will also help the juices within the steak to redistribute and settle inside the steak for the perfect bite every time. 

• Practice Makes Perfect

You might not want to hear this, but it will likely take several tries to get to the perfect steak at home. Without patience and practice, it will be even harder. Understanding the nature of steak and how subtle differences can influence the outcome is something that comes with time. Thankfully, you'll get to enjoy lots of steak along the way! 

Not a Steak Master Yet? Dine at Mac’s Chophouse Instead!

If you try these tips and still find your steaks are falling short of your expectations, don’t despair. It takes many years to master the art of the perfect steak. In the meantime, there are plenty of ways to get your steak on without the prep or the cleanup: For dinner in Marietta that will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about steak, visit Mac’s Chophouse! Our chefs will render you speechless with expertly-prepared certified CAB prime steaks, which are butchered in-house. Make a reservation now: 770-238-1202