

Turn the heat to medium-high and continue cooking the steak in this refined oil until it reaches your desired doneness once the crust has formed. However, keep in mind that all unsaturated oils break down with time. It has a 450☏ high smoke point and a neutral flavor. Sunflower OilĪnother great choice of high smoke point oils for searing steaks and cooking steak in cast iron skillets is sunflower oil. One thing to note is that Extra Virgin olive oil has a low smoke point, which rules it out for cooking as a traditional vegetable oil. Extra virgin olive oil is dark green, while light olive oil is immediately distinguishable as being yellowish. It has a much higher smoke point and a longer shelf life than extra virgin olive oil.

Since searing takes place at about 400☏, this olive oil is more than sufficient for steaks.Īfter the initial pressing of the extra virgin olive oil, light olive oil is made using heat. The smoking point of this olive oil is 465☏. Light Olive Oilsįor grilling steaks, use refined and extra light olive oil. However, the steak is unlikely to burn rapidly in high-heat cooking because of the high smoke point. You’ll preserve the steak’s natural flavor when you cook it in refined avocado oil. However, because of their low smoke points, most unrefined oils are not ideal for cooking steak or searing steaks. Remember that unrefined oils are not heated, filtered, or bleached during processing they are left in their natural state. The smoke point of refined avocado oil is 520☏, which is more than adequate for searing steaks. High smoke points and a bland flavor characterize refined oils. Continue to cook the flavorful steak until it is how you like it. The high-temperature oils here are used for pan-searing or grilling steak.īefore turning the heat to medium, place the steak on a grill or in a hot pan and give it a beautiful sear for about two minutes on each side.
Best oil for searing steak full#
Pick the wrong oil for cooking steak, and you’ll have a kitchen full of smoke and a less-than-desirable steak to eat. High smoke point levels are necessary for cooking steak because they must reach temperatures of 400☏ and higher to be the best oil for steak. In our guide, you can learn more about what oil to cook steak in and the benefits you get from each.īy the end, you’ll find the best oil to sear steak and what health benefits you get besides the oils offering a high smoke point when cooking. In addition, you can use clarified butter, which has a high smoke point and gives your steaks more complex flavors. Avocado oil, refined olive oil or extra light olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and grapeseed oil are the best oils for searing steak. High smoke points and a lack of overpowering flavor are characteristics of the ideal oil for searing steak.
