What Is a Steak Timer?
A steak timer counts down each side of your steak so you hit the doneness you want without guessing. Cooking a great steak is mostly about heat and timing: too little time and the center stays cold, too much and a medium rare turns grey. This timer works in two stages — it times the first side, chimes so you know to flip the steak, then times the second side for the same length before telling you it is ready. Pick a doneness below and the timer loads the recommended minutes per side and a quick guide.
Steak Cooking Times and Doneness
These times are a starting point for a steak around one inch thick, cooked in a hot pan or on the grill. Thicker cuts need more time and thinner cuts need less, so use the times as a guide and a thermometer to confirm the internal temperature.
- Rare - about 2 minutes per side, around 125°F internal, cool red center
- Medium rare - about 3 minutes per side, around 135°F internal, warm red center
- Medium - about 4 minutes per side, around 145°F internal, warm pink center
- Well done - about 5 minutes per side, around 160°F internal, little to no pink
Remember that thickness changes timing more than anything else. A thick ribeye or a thin flank steak cooked for the same minutes per side will land at very different doneness, so adjust the timer up or down and check the temperature near the end.
Time Each Side and Rest the Steak
Timing each side evenly is what gives you a good crust and an even cook. Start the timer when the steak hits the pan, let it sear undisturbed for the full first side, then flip the steak the moment it chimes so the second side gets the same treatment. When both sides are done, move the steak to a board and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Resting lets the juices settle back through the meat instead of running out the moment you cut in, and the internal temperature climbs a few more degrees while it sits.
How to Use the Steak Timer
- Choose a doneness preset, or set a custom time per side using the minute and second inputs
- Heat your pan or grill until it is properly hot, then add the steak and press Start
- When the timer chimes, flip the steak — the timer then counts down the second side automatically
- When it chimes again the steak is ready, so rest it before slicing
- Press the spacebar to start or pause, and Reset to start over
Steak Cooking Tips
- Use a hot pan or grill so the steak sears rather than steams
- Dry the surface with paper towel first — a dry surface browns far better
- Salt ahead of time and let the steak come toward room temperature before cooking
- Rest the steak for about 5 minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute
- Use a thermometer to check internal temperature — it is the most reliable way to nail doneness