If you are a big fan of beef steak, I am sure your new favourite is Wagyu Steak. A few grams of Wagyu Steak can cost you an arm and leg.
You don’t need to sprinkle salt some particular way or be a culinary pro. All you need is halal wagyu steak, this guide, and faith in yourself.
Assuming that you are not new to steak-making, and have made beef steak plenty of times. Only then you can try your hand at this expensive meat.
Philosophy Behind Cooking Wagyu Steak
All top chefs around the world follow a cooking philosophy that emphasises simple and quality ingredients over quantity.
They believe that good food should speak for itself. Hence, when prepping wagyu steak one must ensure that the natural flavour of wagyu remains intact and doesn't get overshadowed by lots of spices and sauces.
If you want the steak to be cooked to perfection, you have to season it minimally to allow the natural flavours of the meat to shine through.
To achieve this you should season the steak with only salt and pepper, these will enhance the natural flavour of your wagyu steak.
When frying the steak, you can also use some garlic pods, and rosemary in butter or oil.
Prepping Your Wagyu Steak
To get the best texture and an evenly cooked steak you have to follow some important steps.
Properly Thaw the Wagyu Steak
If the wagyu meat is frozen, it is essential to properly thaw it before you cook as this will help the steak to cook evenly.
For best results, thaw the meat overnight by keeping it in the refrigerator. This way the meat thaws evenly throughout at a cool temperature.
However, before cooking the steak remove it from the fridge and let it rest for around 30 mins to warm up to room temperature. Bringing it to room temperature ensures the steak remains juicy and tender.
Season Your Steak
Now is the turn to season the steak. I prefer using kosher salt to season the wagyu steak.
Those large flaky salt grains not only season the steak but also, draw out some of Wagyu’s natural moisture that helps in attaining that deep golden brown crust.
Season both sides of the steak with salt and black pepper. Avoid over-seasoning with other spices like garlic powder or paprika powder etc. You want the flavour of the Wagyu beef to be the star of the show.
Preheat Your Pan
The ticket to a steak that is perfectly seared on the outside but cooked evenly from the inside is a piping hot pan.
Whichever kind of pan you are using, be it a cast-iron skillet (which gives the best results) or a non-stick or stainless steel pan, the key is to preheat the pan at high temperature.
Did you notice that I subtly hinted at what to use for the best results?
Cook Wagyu With Butter Or Oil?
Technically, you can use either to grease your pan but to achieve the best taste, renowned chefs around the world use the wagyu’s fat around the edges.
You can do this in two ways:
- Cut some of the fat on the edges of your steak and allow it to melt in the pan, once it gets melted you can place the steak into the pan.
- Using a steak spatula, press the steak flat against the pan so that the fatty sides are touching the surface of the pan. Soon, the fat will start melting in the heat as the pan will become greased with the steak’s fat.
Required Meat Temperature For Wagyu Beef
Before we venture into different ways of cooking wagyu, it is imperative to understand the best-required temperature for the meat to reach.
In other words, how far should a wagyu steak be cooked?
Culinary experts around the world agree that wagyu tastes best when cooked between rare to medium-rare.
This is the temperature when the marbling starts melting down and its highly tasty juices start spreading all over the meat.
If you require a rare steak its internal temperature should reach 125℉ and for a medium-rare steak, the temperature should reach 135℉. You usually achieve this in three to four minutes of cooking time per side.
Three Different Techniques To Cook the Wagyu Steak
Although you need not be a pro to cook wagyu steak. However, wagyu being such a delicacy, needs some special attention when you are attempting to cook it for the first time.
It's imperative to be aware of the best cooking techniques for wagyu steak. There are three main techniques that you can use to achieve the perfect wagyu steak.
Pan Searing (Best method)
This is the most famous and genuine way of cooking wagyu. Its result is the closest to the original Japanese method of cooking teppanyaki.
To pan sear the wagyu steak you will require a cast iron skillet or a stainless steel. If not available, a nonstick pan will also do:
- To begin, heat your cast-iron skillet on high flame until it is piping hot.
- Meanwhile, season the steak with salt and black pepper.
- Add fat to the pan from the steaks' own fatty edges or you can use butter.
- Place the steak on the hot pan and let it cook for approximately 3-4 mins on each side for a medium-rare result.
- Let the steak rest for a while to allow its juices to redistribute and settle.
- Slice the steak into thin strips and serve.
Oven-Broiled
This method is perfect when you are entertaining guests, or you need to cook quite a few pieces of steak and you are juggling different chores at a time. To broil your steak:
- Preheat the oven to 275℉.
- Season the steak with salt and pepper.
- Place the steak on a broiler pan and cook for 4 - 5 minutes on each side until both sides are golden brown.
- Make sure to check the temperature using a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Before slicing, allow the steak to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Grilling
This is the perfect method for those who prefer their steak with a side of fresh air and the aroma of outdoor cooking. This method gives the perfect smoky, char-grilled flavour to the steak.
However, you need to be extra cautious when you cook the steak on a grill as the steak’s juices and high-fat content can lead to lots of flare-ups.
To grill the steak:
- Take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it rest for around 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to high heat and lubricate the grates of the griller to prevent the steak from sticking.
- Season the steak with salt and pepper, and carefully place it on the griller.
- Let it grill for 3-4 minutes on one side before flipping it, cook likewise on the other side.
- The Wagyu steak cooks faster than other steaks so be cautious to avoid overcooking.
The Resting Period
This is the most essential stage of cooking a wagyu steak. Once the steak is seared it is ideal to let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it.
This period allows the juices to redistribute through the loaf of meat resulting in a juicy, and tender steak.
For best results, wrap the steak in an aluminium foil so that the steak remains warm.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the cooking technique you choose, wagyu steak is surely going to be the star of the show. You can easily cook it on special occasions or a fancy dinner party.
With its tender texture and rich flavour it's the perfect choice to treat yourself. And if you are worrying about where to get A5 quality halal wagyu steak, you need not worry anymore. As it is easily available at SaveCo.
So, go ahead and grab yourself a juicy, fresh Wagyu steak and treat yourself and your loved ones.
