Strip Loin Steak (Top Loin)
Flavor: 4 Out Of 5
Tenderness: 4 Out Of 5
Alternative Names: New York Strip, Top Loin Steak, Hotel Steak, Kansas City Steak, Strip Steak, Shell Steak, Delmonico, Club Steak
Cut from the short loin, the strip loin is the larger of the two meats that make up the T-bone, the smaller tenderloin makes up the other side of the T-bone.
This steak could easily be the most popular steak if it weren’t called so many names, high end restaurants and cookbooks may list this steak as a new york strip steak recipe. A tender steak with a nice flavor is a favorite in many restaurants, it can be grilled, broiled or pan-seared without marinading.
How To Cook A Striploin Steak Indoors
Gas Grill
1. Trim off any excess fat, but leave at least 1/4" of fat to keep juices from escaping. Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper, strip loin steaks have great flavor all on their own but if you want to add more flavor, season steaks with a dry rub just before cooking, or marinade briefly.
2. First brush the grill with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. If using a gas grill, preheat on high for 10-15 minutes with the lid down.
This method of cooking works best with steaks that are 1 inch or thicker. Scrape the grill clean with a grill brush, leave one side on high and adjust the other side to medium heat.
3. The key to not overcooking a thick strip loin is to sear the steak on both sides. On the high temperature sear the steaks about 2 minutes on each side with the lid down.
4. Once the steaks are browned on both sides, slide them to the cooler part of the grill, continue grilling with the lid down to the desired doneness. For maximum flavor and tenderness cook to medium-rare (135 degrees) or to medium (145 degrees), anything more will begin to dry out the steaks.
Charcoal Grill
When cooking with a charcoal grill, build a two level fire by stacking most of the coals on one side and the remaining coals in a single layer on the other side of the grill. This works the same way as the gas grill, searing the steaks for 2 minutes per side over the high coals and then sliding them to lower heat to finish.
Sear the strip loin steak on each side for 2 minutes on high heat, then move steaks to medium heat, continue cooking following the chart per minutes on each side on the medium heat until desired temperature is reached. For example a 1 inch steak grilled to medium-rare would be 4-5 minutes on each side after the initial searing on high heat.
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Remove the steaks from the grill, tent with foil and let rest for 5 minutes, this helps to redistribute and retain more juices when sliced and promote a more even color throughout the meat. The temperature of the steaks will rise about 5 degrees as they rest, remove the steaks 5 degrees before desired doneness.
Strip Loin Steak | Rare | Medium-Rare | Medium | Medium-Well | Well Done |
1 Inch Steak | 3-4 minutes | 4-5 minutes | 6-7 minutes | 7-8 minutes | 8-9 minutes |
1.5 Inch Steak | 5-6 minutes | 6-7 minutes | 8-9 minutes | 10-11 minutes | 11-12 minutes |
Temperature125-130 degrees | 130-140 degrees | 140-150 degrees | 150-160 degrees | 160-170 degrees | |
Thin Cut Strip Steak Recipes
A strip loin steak ½-¾ of an inch should not be seared on high heat, searing a thin steak will brown the exterior but quickly dry out through the center.
1. If using a gas grill, preheat on high for 10-15 minutes with the lid down. Scrap the grill clean with a grill brush, and adjust the heat to medium-high.
2. Grill with lid down until nicely browned, turn over and continue to grill until the other side is browned.
The interior will be cooked through, this method works best with moderately thin steaks. For maximum flavor and tenderness cook to medium-rare (135 degrees) or to medium (145 degrees), anything more will begin to dry out the steaks.
3. Remove the steaks from the grill and tent with foil for 5 minutes, this helps to redistribute and retain more juices when sliced and promote a more even color throughout the meat.
The temperature of the steaks will rise about 5 degrees as they rest, remove the steaks 5 degrees before desired doneness.
Strip Loin Steak | Rare | Medium-Rare | Medium | Medium-Well | Well Done |
1/2 Inch Steak | 2 minutes | 2-3 minutes | 3-4 minutes | 4-5 minutes | 5-6 minutes |
3/4 Inch Steak | 2-3 minutes | 3-4 minutes | 4-5 minutes | 5-6 minutes | 6-7 minutes |
Temperature | 125-130 degrees | 130-140 degrees | 140-150 degrees | 150-160 degrees | 160-170 degrees |
Grilling Tips
How To Cook A Strip Loin Steak Indoors
US To Metric System Chart
Oven Temperatures
Fahrenheit (°F) Celsius (°C)
125° 52°
150° 66°
175° 80°
200° 93°
225° 107°
250° 121°
275° 135°
300° 149°
325° 163°
350° 177°
375° 190°
400° 205°
425° 218°
450° 232°
475° 246°
500° 260°