5 Grilling Porterhouse Steak Tips for Juicy and Flavorful Results

Imagine biting into a massive, perfectly grilled porterhouse steak, its flavors exploding in your mouth. This culinary masterpiece, combining the robust beefy flavor of a New York strip and the buttery tenderness of a tenderloin, can be yours with simple grilling techniques and the right seasoning.

Porterhouse and T-bone steaks both hail from the short loin area and feature a T-shaped bone dividing the tenderloin and New York strip. The key difference? Porterhouse has a larger tenderloin—at least 1.25 inches thick per USDA standards—offering more filet mignon than a T-bone. The name ‘porterhouse’ likely originated in 19th-century American taverns known for serving porter beer with hefty steaks. These “porter houses” lent their name to the substantial, flavorful cuts they served, embedding a rich cultural legacy in each porterhouse steak.

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Essential Tools and Ingredients for Grilling Porterhouse Steak

Elevate your porterhouse steak from good to unforgettable with the right equipment and flavors. Here’s what you need to transform your grilling game:

Choosing Your Grill: Charcoal vs. Gas

• Charcoal Grills: For a richer, smokier flavor, charcoal is the way to go. It reaches higher temperatures perfect for searing, though it takes longer to preheat and requires more skill to control.
• Gas Grills: More convenient and easier to control, gas grills are ideal for a quick dinner. They offer consistent cooking temperatures but don’t provide the same depth of flavor as charcoal.

Must-Have Tools

• Instant-Read Thermometer: Essential for ensuring your porterhouse hits the perfect internal temperature. Aim for 130-135°F for medium-rare or 135-145°F for medium.
• High-Quality Tongs: Choose long-handled, sturdy tongs for control without getting too close to the heat.
• Grill Brush: Keeps your grill grates clean, preventing sticking and ensuring an even sear.
• Basting Brush: Perfect for applying marinades or compound butter to add layers of flavor.
• Meat Probe: For larger cuts, a meat probe offers real-time temperature readings while the steak grills.

Incorporate these tools and considerations into your routine to enhance the flavor and texture of your porterhouse steak, making every grilling session more rewarding and stress-free.

Preparing Your Porterhouse for Grilling

Getting your porterhouse steak ready for the grill is crucial to unlocking its full, mouth-watering potential. Here’s how to season your steak properly and bring it to the perfect temperature for grilling.

How to Season Your Steak

Starting with the basics, seasoning is what elevates your porterhouse from just another piece of meat to a culinary masterpiece. First, pat your steak dry with paper towels. This step ensures that the seasoning sticks well and helps form a perfect crust on the grill. Next, season generously with salt and pepper. Think of the salt not just as a flavoring, but as a tenderizer that will bring out the meat’s natural juices and flavors.

If you’re feeling adventurous, mix in some garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite steak seasoning with salt and pepper. Remember, the large size of the porterhouse can handle more seasoning than smaller cuts. Lastly, don’t shy away from pressing the seasoning into the meat to make sure it adheres well.

Bringing the Steak to Room Temperature

Bringing your steak to room temperature before grilling helps ensure even cooking. Let it sit out for 30 to 40 minutes to prevent toughness caused by sudden heat on cold meat. This small step enhances the juiciness and doneness of your steak. Just be mindful of safety. Once your porterhouse is seasoned and at the right temperature, grill it to perfection for a delicious result.

In the video, GreenhornBBQ explains –

• Grill Type: The video demonstrates cooking Porterhouse steaks on a Weber 22-inch Kettle Grill using charcoal and grill grates for sear marks.
• Seasoning: The steaks are seasoned with a mix of salt, pepper, and granulated garlic in a 25-75-25 ratio, emphasizing simplicity and flavor.
• Charcoal Preparation: Paraffin cubes are used to light the charcoal, with an estimated 20 minutes needed to get the coals ready.
• Oil and Butter Mix: A mixture of 100% real butter and avocado oil is prepared to increase the flash point, along with fresh garlic cloves and rosemary for additional flavor.
• Grill Technique: The steaks are turned 45 degrees after a few minutes to create grill marks, flipped, and then drizzled with the butter-oil-garlic-rosemary mix.
• Instant-Read Thermometer: The importance of using an instant-read thermometer to monitor steak temperature is highlighted, recommending an inexpensive model.
• Drizzling Technique: Instead of brushing, the butter-oil mix is drizzled over the steaks after flipping to avoid wiping away the seasoning.
• Resting Period: After grilling, the steaks are tented with foil and rested for about 10 minutes to ensure juices redistribute.
• Final Temperature Check: The internal temperature of the steaks is checked to ensure they are cooked to the desired doneness.
• Serving Suggestion: The steaks are served with sautéed mushrooms cooked in garlic oil and butter, complementing the rich, caramelized flavor of the steak.

GreenhornBBQ

Mastering Porterhouse Steak Grilling Techniques

Mastering the art of grilling a perfect porterhouse steak hinges on mastering the techniques. From preheating the grill to executing the flip, every step is crucial for that succulent, flavorful result.

Preheating Your Grill

The journey begins with preheating your grill to a high temperature, around 450-500°F, essential for creating that mouthwatering crust. A light coat of olive oil on the grates ensures a non-stick surface and beautiful grill marks, guaranteeing even cooking.

Grill Time and Temperature Guidelines

Once seasoned and on the grill, aim for around 2 ½ minutes per side for a medium-rare finish. Adjust for medium doneness with slightly longer intervals. Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer, aiming for about 130°F.

The Art of the Flip

Contrary to tradition, don’t shy away from flipping your steak multiple times for an even cook and crust development. Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes after achieving the desired internal temperature, allowing the juices to redistribute for ultimate juiciness.

Each step in this process contributes to a culinary masterpiece, ensuring a memorable dining experience from start to finish.

Reverse Searing: A Game Changer

Reverse searing might sound like a high-tech cooking method reserved for professional kitchens, but it’s a game-changer for home grillers, especially when it comes to mastering the art of the perfect porterhouse steak. Here’s how you can elevate your steak game with this technique.

• Start with Room Temperature Steak: Begin by taking your porterhouse out of the fridge 30 minutes before grilling. This step ensures your steak cooks evenly, avoiding that dreaded cold center.
• Season Generously: Don’t hold back on the kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. A hearty seasoning on both sides not only enhances flavor but also aids in creating that crave-worthy crust.
• Prepare Your Grill: Set it up with one side on direct heat and one on indirect. Crank up your grill to a gentle 200-250°F. This temperature range is key for the reverse sear method, allowing the steak to cook slowly and evenly.
• Cook Low and Slow: Place your steak on the indirect heat side of the grill. Wait until it reaches an internal temperature of 80°F before flipping it over. Continue cooking until it hits 115°F. This low and slow approach ensures maximum tenderness.
• Get the Sear: Once your steak reaches the target temperature, it’s time to move it over to the direct heat. Turn up your grill as hot as it can go. Searing the steak now, flipping every 20-30 seconds, creates a beautifully caramelized exterior without overcooking the interior. Aim for an internal temperature of 130°F for that perfect medium-rare.
• Rest and Serve: Resting your steak is as crucial as any cooking step. Wrap it loosely in foil and let it rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, ensuring every bite is as flavorful and juicy as the last. Serve with compound butter for an extra layer of richness that compliments the smokiness of the grill.

By applying the reverse sear method, you’re not just cooking; you’re crafting an experience. This technique offers a remarkable depth of flavor and tenderness, turning your dinner into a culinary event. Remember, patience is key. The slow initial cook paired with a final, high-heat sear unlocks a texture and taste that’s hard to beat, making every bite of your porterhouse steak truly magnificent.

Testing for Doneness Without a Thermometer

While embracing the reverse sear technique for your porterhouse steak brings phenomenal results, determining when it’s perfectly done might seem like a daunting task without an instant-read thermometer. But there’s no need to worry! You can still achieve steak greatness by mastering a couple of simple methods to test for doneness without any gadgets. Here’s how:

The Hand Test Method

This age-old technique is a quick and easy way to gauge the doneness of your steak. Simply compare the firmness of your steak to different parts of your hand. Here’s the breakdown:

• Raw: Open your palm and relax it. The fleshy area below your thumb should feel quite soft. That’s what a raw steak feels like.
• Rare: Touch your index finger to your thumb. The base of your thumb now mimics the feel of a rare steak.
• Medium Rare: Touch your middle finger to your thumb. The firmness of your thumb base? That’s your medium-rare steak.
• Medium: Connect your ring finger and your thumb. The feel of the base of your thumb is now the texture of a medium-done steak.
• Well-Done: Thumb to pinky – that’s the level of firmness you’re looking at for a well-done steak.

The Face Test Method

Another intuitive method to test steak doneness is by using your face as a reference. Yes, you read that right:

• Rare: Press your cheek lightly. It’s quite tender, similar to how a rare steak should feel.
• Medium Rare: Your chin represents the resistance of a medium-rare steak.
• Medium: Now, press your forehead. Notice the firmness? That’s the medium steak texture.

The Poke Test

Lastly, gently press down on the center of the steak with your finger or a pair of tongs. If it:

• Feels very soft and leaves an indent, it’s still at the rare stage.
• Has a slight resistance but is still tender to the touch, you’re looking at medium rare.
• Springs back quickly, it’s likely reached medium doneness.

Letting Your Steak Rest: Why It’s Crucial

After you’ve expertly grilled your porterhouse steak to perfection, following the intricate steps of seasoning and searing, the next critical step is to let your steak rest. It’s a step many eager grillers overlook but it’s crucial for a few key reasons. Let’s dive into why resting your steak isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential to achieving that restaurant-quality taste and texture right at home.

• Locks in Moisture: When you let your steak rest, you’re allowing the juices that have been driven to the center of the steak during the high-heat cooking process to redistribute throughout the meat. Cutting into your steak too soon means those flavorful juices end up on the plate, not in your bite. Aim to rest your steak for about 10 minutes.
• Ensures Even Cooking: By resting your steak, you’re allowing it to continue cooking gently from the residual heat within. This means the internal temperature can rise another 5°F to 10°F, helping to ensure that perfect, edge-to-edge medium-rare or however you prefer your steak. It’s the step that separates the amateur from the seasoned grill master.
• Enhances Flavor and Texture: Resting gives time for the fibers of the meat to relax, which in turn makes the steak more tender. A rested steak will be juicier and more flavorful than one that’s sliced immediately off the grill. It’s not just about not losing juices; it’s also about giving the steak’s natural flavors time to mature and blend after the intense heat of grilling.
• Simplifies Serving: Resting your steak loosely covered with foil also makes for a more forgiving serving time. Since the steak retains heat but isn’t continuing to cook at a high rate, you have a little leeway when it comes to serving. Your steaks stay warm without the risk of overcooking, ensuring each plate is as perfect as you planned.

To maximize the benefits of resting your steak, remove it from the heat when it’s about 5°F to 10°F away from your desired final temperature, accounting for the carry-over cooking that occurs. While it rests, prepare your sides or compound butter for serving. This orchestrated timing ensures everything comes together right at the peak moment of flavor and warmth, much to the delight of your eagerly waiting guests.

Expert Tips for Slicing and Serving

After discussing the rich history, preparation nuances, and the critical resting stage of porterhouse steak, let’s dive into making that final presentation count. It’s not just about taste; it’s about crafting a meal that looks just as good as it tastes. Here’s how you can master the art of slicing and serving this majestic cut.

• Wait Before You Slice: Remember, patience pays off. Let your steak rest for the recommended 5-10 minutes after grilling. This wait helps retain those flavorful juices, making every slice tender and juicy.
• Identify the Sections: A porterhouse consists of two distinct sections – the tenderloin and the strip. Position your steak on the cutting board so you can see where to separate these parts.
• Separate Before Slicing: Use a sharp knife to gently cut along the bone to separate the tenderloin and the strip. This makes it easier to slice and serves aesthetically pleasing portions.
• Slice Against the Grain: For both the tenderloin and strip, make sure you’re slicing against the grain. This method cuts through the muscle fibers, ensuring softer, more palatable pieces.
• Thickness Matters: Aim for slices that are about ½ inch thick. Consistent thickness across all slices not only looks great but ensures each piece cooks evenly and tastes fantastic.
• Fan It Out: After slicing, arrange the slices in a ‘fanned’ pattern around the bone on your serving platter. This showcases the steak’s perfect cook and makes for an appetizing display.
• Add Garnishes: Enhance your platter with simple yet sophisticated garnishes. Fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, add a pop of color and fragrance, while a sprinkle of flaky sea salt heightens flavor.
• Butter Makes It Better: Consider topping your sliced steak with a dollop of compound butter. As it melts, it bastes the steak in additional layers of flavor. Opt for butter mixed with herbs, garlic, or even a hint of spice for an extra kick.
• The Final Touch: Before serving, give your platter a quick drizzle of high-quality olive oil or a balsamic glaze. This not only increases flavor but adds a glossy, restaurant-quality finish to your dish.

Remember, the goal is to wow your guests not just with the remarkable taste of your porterhouse steak but with its presentation as well. With these expert tips, you’re now equipped to slice and serve a steak that’s as stunning to look at as it is to eat.

Addressing Leftovers: Storage and Reheating Tips

After enjoying a beautifully grilled porterhouse steak, leftovers can still offer a delicious encore if stored and reheated properly. Here’s how to ensure your leftover steak remains as delectable as it was fresh off the grill.

• Cool Quickly, Store Properly: Aim to refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth. Let your steak cool to room temperature quickly by transferring it onto a plate away from the heat. Once cooled, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. For optimal freshness, place the wrapped steak in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag before refrigerating.
• Fridge Life: Cooked steak will stay good in the refrigerator for up to three days. The key is keeping it at a consistent, chilly temperature. If for any reason you suspect it might not be consumed within this time frame, consider freezing it for longer preservation.
• Freezing for Future Feasts: Freeze any steak you won’t eat within three days. First, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Properly stored, frozen steak can last for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheating for Best Results: Maintaining moisture is crucial when reheating steak to avoid it turning dry and tough. A low and slow approach in the oven is best. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, place the steak on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and heat until the internal temperature reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This method gently warms the steak without overcooking it.
• Quick Reheat Method: If you’re short on time, a microwave can do the trick, though it’s not the preferred method. Place the steak on a microwave-safe plate, add a splash of water or broth for moisture, and cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Use the reheat setting or 50% power to avoid overcooking, checking every 30 seconds until it’s warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a porterhouse steak?

A porterhouse steak is a thick cut of beef that includes both the tenderloin and the top loin (New York strip) connected by a T-shaped bone. It’s known for its rich flavor and tender texture, making it a popular choice among steak enthusiasts.

How should you prepare porterhouse steak for grilling?

To prepare a porterhouse steak for grilling, it’s essential to let it reach room temperature, season it generously with salt and pepper, and preheat your grill to high heat. Cook the steak for 3 to 5 minutes per side for a medium cook, ensuring a deliciously charred exterior while maintaining a juicy interior.

What are the best techniques for slicing and presenting porterhouse steak?

After grilling, let the steak rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Cut the meat off the bone into two pieces – the tenderloin and the top loin. Slice each piece against the grain into thick slices. Fan the slices out on a plate, reassembling them around the bone for an appealing presentation.

How should leftover porterhouse steak be stored?

To store leftover porterhouse steak, cool it quickly and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days or freeze it for longer preservation.

What is the best method to reheat leftover porterhouse steak?

The best method to reheat leftover porterhouse steak is by using a slow oven. Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 250°F (120°C), and place the steak in a baking dish with a bit of beef broth for moisture. Cover the dish with foil and reheat until just warm to retain its moisture and flavorful texture. A microwave can be used with caution for a quicker option, but be sure to check frequently to avoid overcooking.