If you’re looking for a delicious and flavorful steak to grill, the eye of round steak is a great choice. This cut of meat comes from the round primal of a cow and is known for its lean and tender texture. While it may not have as much marbling as a ribeye or a New York strip, the eye of round steak can still be incredibly tasty when cooked properly.
To start, you’ll want to season your steak with a generous amount of salt and pepper. This will help enhance the flavors of the meat and create a delicious crust when grilled. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs for an extra kick.
Next, preheat your grill to high heat. The high heat will help sear the steak and lock in the juices, giving it a nice charred exterior. Once the grill is hot, place the steak on the grates and let it cook for about 4-5 minutes per side for a medium-rare doneness. If you prefer your steak more well-done, you can cook it for a few minutes longer on each side.
After the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier and more tender steak. You can serve the eye of round steak as is, or with your favorite steak sauce or chimichurri for added flavor.
Grilling eye of round steak is a great way to enjoy a lean and tasty cut of meat. With a few simple steps, you can create a delicious and flavorful steak that will impress your family and friends. So fire up the grill, season your steak, and get ready to enjoy a delicious meal!
Preparing Eye of Round Steak
Before you begin grilling your eye of round steak, it’s important to properly prepare it to ensure a delicious and tender result.
1. Season the Steak
Start by seasoning your eye of round steak with a generous amount of salt and pepper. You can also use your favorite steak seasoning blend for added flavor.
2. Tenderize the Meat
Because eye of round steak is a tough cut of meat, it’s recommended to tenderize it before grilling. You can do this by using a meat tenderizer or by scoring the surface of the steak with a knife.
By tenderizing the meat, you’ll help break down the tough fibers and make it more tender and juicy.
It’s also a good idea to marinate the steak for a few hours to further enhance its tenderness and flavor. You can use a marinade of your choice, such as a mixture of olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.
Allow the steak to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
Now that your eye of round steak is seasoned and tenderized, it’s ready to be grilled to perfection!
Choosing the Right Cut
When it comes to grilling eye of round steak, choosing the right cut of meat is essential. The eye of round steak is a lean and boneless cut that comes from the hindquarter of the cow. While it is a flavorful and tender cut, it can be tough if not cooked properly.
When selecting an eye of round steak, look for a piece that is bright red in color with minimal marbling. The marbling refers to the white streaks of fat that run through the meat, and while some marbling can add flavor, too much fat can make the steak chewy. Look for a steak that is well-trimmed with a thick, even shape.
Thickness Matters
The thickness of the steak is another important factor to consider. The eye of round steak is usually cut thin, but you want to make sure it is not too thin that it dries out on the grill. Aim for a steak that is between 1 to 1.5 inches thick for optimal grilling.
Aging for Tenderness
Consider choosing an eye of round steak that has been aged for tenderness. Aging is a process where the meat is stored in controlled conditions to allow natural enzymes to break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender steak. Look for labels that indicate the steak has been aged for a certain number of days.
Overall, choosing a well-trimmed, evenly shaped and thick eye of round steak that is bright red in color with minimal marbling will ensure a delicious and tender grilled steak.
Tenderizing the Meat
Tenderizing the eye of round steak is crucial for ensuring a juicy and tender result. There are several techniques you can use:
1. Marinating: Marinating the steak helps to break down the tough muscle fibers and infuse flavor into the meat. You can create a simple marinade using ingredients like olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, and your favorite herbs and spices. Place the steak in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Allow the steak to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or even overnight for maximum tenderness.
2. Pounding: Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound the steak gently. This helps to break down the muscle fibers and tenderize the meat. Start at the thicker end of the steak and work your way to the thinner end. Be careful not to overdo it, as you don’t want to flatten the steak completely.
3. Salt Rub: Rubbing the steak with salt before grilling can also help to tenderize it. Sprinkle both sides of the steak with salt and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The salt draws out some of the moisture from the meat, which then gets reabsorbed, resulting in a more tender steak.
Choose the tenderizing technique that suits your preference and time constraints. Tenderizing the eye of round steak will help to ensure a more enjoyable and delicious meal.
Marinating Eye of Round Steak
Marinating eye of round steak can help to enhance its flavor and tenderize the meat. Here are some steps to help you marinate eye of round steak:
- Choose a marinade: You can use your favorite marinade or try something new. A simple marinade can be made by combining olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, and your choice of herbs and spices.
- Prepare the steak: Trim off any excess fat from the steak and score it lightly with a knife to help the marinade penetrate the meat.
- Place the steak in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
- Pour the marinade over the steak, making sure it is completely covered. Massage the marinade into the meat to ensure even distribution.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight. The longer you marinate the steak, the more flavorful it will become.
- Turn the steak occasionally to ensure all sides are evenly marinated.
- When you are ready to grill the steak, remove it from the marinade and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take the chill off.
Now you are ready to grill your marinated eye of round steak to perfection!
Creating a Flavorful Marinade
Marinating your eye of round steak is a crucial step in ensuring a flavorful and tender result. The marinade helps to infuse the meat with delicious flavors while also helping to tenderize it. Here is a simple yet flavorful marinade recipe you can use:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Place the eye of round steak in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it, making sure the steak is fully coated. Remove as much air as possible from the bag and seal it tightly.
- Refrigerate the steak in the marinade for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. During this time, turn the bag occasionally to ensure even marination.
- When you are ready to grill the steak, remove it from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off.
Note: You can also add additional ingredients to the marinade to customize the flavor, such as minced onion, red pepper flakes, or your favorite herbs and spices.
By marinating your eye of round steak with this flavorful marinade, you can enhance its taste and tenderness, creating a delicious grilled steak that will impress your family and friends.
Marinating the Steak
Marinating the eye of round steak is a great way to infuse it with flavor and tenderize the meat. Here are the steps to marinate the steak:
1. Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, mix together your choice of marinade ingredients. This can include a combination of olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, herbs, and spices. Feel free to experiment with different flavors to suit your taste.
2. Place the steak in a resealable bag: Put the eye of round steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the steak and seal the bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Massage the bag to ensure the marinade coats the steak evenly.
3. Let it marinate: Place the bag in the refrigerator and let the steak marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight. The longer you marinate it, the more flavorful and tender the steak will be.
4. Flip the bag: If possible, flip the bag halfway through the marinating time to ensure both sides of the steak are evenly coated.
5. Remove the steak from the marinade: When ready to grill, remove the steak from the bag and discard the marinade. Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
By marinating the eye of round steak, you’ll enhance its taste and tenderness, resulting in a delicious and juicy grilled steak.
FAQ
What is eye of round steak?
Eye of round steak is a lean cut of beef that comes from the round primal, which is located on the hindquarters of the animal. It is a fairly tough cut of meat that benefits from marinating and slow cooking methods to achieve tenderness.
How do I marinate eye of round steak?
To marinate eye of round steak, you can combine your choice of marinade ingredients such as soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, and herbs. Place the steak in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Can I grill eye of round steak?
Yes, you can grill eye of round steak. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the steak on the grill and cook for about 8-10 minutes per side, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.