Grilling is one of the common ways of cooking a juicy slab of steak. But when you’re grilling a premium kind of meat like a Wagyu steak, there are certain ways of preparing to ensure all the natural flavors of the meat are retained and the smoky aroma is fully absorbed. Likewise, Wagyu requires a special way of cooking since this type of meat doesn’t contain many connective tissues and the meat breaks down easily.
So if you’re going to grill a sumptuous slice of Wagyu ribeye today, then we suggest you continue reading as we are going to share some helpful tips to cook a Wagyu ribeye steak and enjoy it the right way.
Here’s The Secret To Grilling Wagyu Ribeye
The first thing that you have to do is to prepare the gar grill and make sure that it is already preheated to 500 degrees before grilling. This is important to ensure that the exterior part of the steak will be nice and crusty and the inside of the meat is packed with delicious juices.
Most grillers have to be pre-heated at least 15 minutes before cooking to reach the right temperature.
And while you are waiting for the griller to warm up, get a paper towel and use it to wipe the exterior of your Wagyu steak. This is needed to remove any excess moisture which might prevent the Maillard reaction from happening. The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction that reduces sugars and amino acids to produce a brown appearance and gives the meat its distinctive flavor. Once the steak is dried out, you can now salt it and add all the other ingredients you want to rub onto the meat.
Then, place the Wagyu steak diagonally to create that distinct grill marks. Make sure that the slab is close to the lid of the grill and leave it there for 2 to 3 minutes before turning it on the other side. Once rotated, cook the stead for another 2 to 3 minutes.
If you like it rare with a cooled raw center, remove the steak immediately after the cooking time indicated above. But if you like it cooked, close the grill again for a couple of minutes more before removing it. Most chefs say that the steak gets 10 to 15 degrees warmer once you leave it on a closed grill for another 3 minutes.
Set aside the steak for another 5 minutes and let it cool before serving at the dinner table.
Never Overcook Your Steak
The basic rule of cooking a Wagyu steak, especially if you’re going to grill it, is to avoid overcooking. So if you’re grilling it for the first time and you’re not really sure how to go about with the process, then it’s best to try undercooking the meat first. In fact, some people prefer having the steak rare (almost rare).
But if a raw steak does not appease your palate, you can always put it back on the grill if you want to cook it a bit more. The key is not to have the steak well-done as it will lose its natural flavors and ruin the texture of the meat.
The truth is, cooking Wagyu, especially the A5 variety requires little to moderate technical skills only. But it also demands a standard knowledge on your part so you’ll be able to cook it properly, regardless if you’re going to grill, smoke, or pan-sear it.
Secret Ingredients You Can Add More Flavor To Your Grilled Wagyu Steak
Experts say that steaks will be fine with a bit of salt and pepper. But you’re adventurous and want to have a great tasting steak, you can try using these ingredients to level up your gastronomic experience:
1. Rosemary – Adding rosemary is one of the easiest tricks that take minimal effort and yet works exceptionally well. All you need to do is place a rosemary sprig on top of the ribeye steak and allow the flavoring of the herb to mix with the natural juice of the meat. Then, use a tong to grab the sprig once you flip the steak on the other side and place it back on top to achieve the same infusion of flavors.
2. Spicy Or Smoky Ingredients – To take your taste buds’ pleasure to new heights, you can choose to rub cayenne pepper, chili powder, ground cumin, or smoked paprika to add more depth and to emphasize the natural beefy flavor of the steak.
3. Fresh Herbs – Sprinkling your Wagyu steak with freshly sliced parsley is more than enough to complement the natural flavors of the meat. But you can also use a combination of fresh herbs and turn them into gremolata or chimichurri so you can spread it all over the meat to balance the beefy and buttery taste of the meat.
4. Freshly Grounded Black Pepper – If you don’t like to complicate the flavor of the meat, you can also choose to add freshly grounded black pepper as the spiciness of this herb accentuates the beefiness of the meat, making it more delectable and mouthwatering.
5. Garlic – If you’re not really into fancy steak rubs, then simply rubbing your slab of steak with garlic cloves will be enough. You can also place the cloves on top of the meat as it becomes soft and tender on the grill.
Wagyu Cooking Tips
Now that we’ve already shared all the things you need to know to grill a Wagyu steak, allow us to share a few more tips to help you with your next Wagyu steak:
Allow The Steak To Thaw – Don’t cook the meat right away, and let it sit for about an hour or so until it reaches room temperature. Having excess moisture on the meat prevents the steak from being cooked quickly and evenly.
Always Be Aware Of The 3 Elements – Heat, Wagyu fat, and salt, when properly combined, creates a crispy and delicious steak. So make sure your grill is pre-heated to the right temperature to sear the exterior of the meat and lock the natural juices before turning it down to moderate heat as you finish cooking.
Use A Thermometer – Relying on estimated cooking time will often lead to varied results. So it’s recommended to invest in a meat thermometer to get the right results at all times.
Rest It Before Serving – Allowing the steak to rest for a few minutes will let the juices be distributed evenly so the meat will be juicy and tender the moment you eat it.
Don’t Spare The Salt – And lastly, don’t forget to season the steak with salt and pepper on both sides when it reaches room temperature before plating.
If you’re looking for a place to buy high-quality wagyu beef online, you can check out Maries River Wagyu today.
