# Steak cooking times

How long to cook steak: **2–3 min per side pan-fried, 3–5 min per side under the grill, 3–5 min per side on the barbecue and 8–12 min in an air fryer at 200°C**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/steak-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook steak

Times are for a sirloin, ribeye or rump steak 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick.

Steak: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (Rare) | 2–3 min per side | in a very hot pan | For rare. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (Medium rare) | 3–4 min per side | in a very hot pan | For medium rare. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (Medium) | 4–5 min per side | in a very hot pan | For medium. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (Well done) | 5–6 min per side | in a hot pan | For well done; turn the heat down a little after searing. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 3–5 min per side | under a very hot grill | For medium rare to medium; 2 minutes per side for rare. |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) | 3–5 min per side | over very hot direct heat | For medium rare to medium. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 8–12 min | 200°C (400°F) | For medium rare to medium; turn halfway. It won’t get the crust of a pan. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Thick steaks, pan then oven) | 6–8 min | 220°C (200°C fan), 425°F, gas 7 | For thick steaks (4 cm or more): sear in an ovenproof pan for 2 minutes per side, then finish in the oven for medium rare. |

Also see: [Roast beef cooking time](https://feastflow.co.uk/roast-beef-cooking-time) (rare, medium or well done).

## Before you start

Take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before, pat dry and season well with salt. Oil the steak, not the pan.

## How to tell it’s done

Use a thermometer in the middle: rare 50°C (120°F), medium rare 55°C (130°F), medium 60°C (140°F), well done 70°C (160°F). It rises a few degrees as it rests.

**Food safety:** Whole steaks are safe served rare, as long as the outside is seared: bacteria are on the surface, not inside.

**Tip:** Rest the steak for 5 minutes on a warm plate before cutting. Thicker steaks need longer: a 4 cm steak takes about half as long again.

## Questions

### How long to pan-fry steak?

Rare: 2–3 min per side in a very hot pan. For rare. Medium rare: 3–4 min per side in a very hot pan. For medium rare. Medium: 4–5 min per side in a very hot pan. For medium. Well done: 5–6 min per side in a hot pan. For well done; turn the heat down a little after searing.

### How long to grill steak?

3–5 min per side under a very hot grill. For medium rare to medium; 2 minutes per side for rare.

### How long to barbecue steak?

3–5 min per side over very hot direct heat. For medium rare to medium.

### How long to cook steak in an air fryer?

8–12 min at 200°C (400°F). For medium rare to medium; turn halfway. It won’t get the crust of a pan.

### How long to cook steak in the oven?

Thick steaks, pan then oven: 6–8 min at 220°C (200°C fan), 425°F, gas 7. For thick steaks (4 cm or more): sear in an ovenproof pan for 2 minutes per side, then finish in the oven for medium rare.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/