The Timeless Appeal of Fire-Grilled Steak
Cooking steak over fire has been practised for millennia. It’s simple. Primal. But it delivers. There’s a reason the best restaurants continue to use this cooking method, like here at Hunter & Barrel. The bare flame creates a deeply smoky flavour, while the inside stays soft and juicy. The contrast between the controlled, lightly crisp char and the tender meat within is what makes a fire-grilled steak so ridiculously good.
In this blog, we’ll cover how to cook steak over an open fire and the tips, tricks, and techniques you need to do it at home. An open flame brings something that gas stoves simply can’t compete with. Flavours that make you feel like you’re gathered around a campfire, feasting on the catch from the day. A meal that has your appetite satiated, yet leaves you wanting more.
Why choose open fire over gas or electric?
Gas and electric stoves offer unrivalled precision, but fire adds character. It infuses the steak with smoke, caramelises the edges, and provides an experience beyond just cooking. The fire warms the space around you, and people gather around to sit, watch, and converse. There’s a presence in it that makes the final result feel earned. While cooking over fire might not always be the most convenient option, nor the most controlled, it’s a way to turn cooking into something tactile, exciting, and rewarding.
Choosing the right steak for cooking steak over fire
Open flame can be intense, so not every cut is suited for it. The steak should be sizable, preferably more than 3cm thick. A thin steak will dry out and become rubbery. Look for a steak that is well marbled. The intramuscular fat will melt as the steak begins to cook, basting the meat from within. Cuts like ribeye, T-bone, or eye fillet are great options. Thick enough to give time for the crust to develop, and tender enough to handle the open fire.
What You Need to Know About Cooking Steak on an Open Flame
Preparing your station
Before the meat goes anywhere near the fire, you should have mise en place ready. Cooking over fire can move fast, so everything should be within arm’s reach. The essentials are:
- Charcoal or BBQ briquettes
- A Long set of tongs
- A grill grate
- A meat thermometer
- A clean plate or cutting board for resting the steak
Prepping your steak
When cooking over the fire, simplicity is key. Marinades and herbs can burn easily, and even pepper can turn bitter if taken too far. Make sure your steak is at room temperature, pat it dry, and season it liberally with salt on every surface. Always overseason your steak when grilling; a lot of that salt is going to get lost during the cooking process.
To ensure the steak doesn’t stick to the grate, rub it with oil. For your fire, distribute the coals so one side has more. This will be your high-heat and low-heat zone.
Cooking the steak
Grab the steak with your tongs and carefully place the steak onto the high-heat zone. Now, let it sit. Don’t touch it. Sear on each side for 1–2 minutes until a good crust has developed. Then, shift the steak to the low-heat zone to finish cooking. Flip it occasionally to ensure it doesn’t catch, and monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Pull the steak a few degrees below your target doneness, and rest it on the plate or cutting board for 5–10 minutes.
Additional Tips
Stay close and keep an eye on it the whole time. A perfect sear can turn to a bitter, blackened mess quicker than you think. If the fire flares up under the steak, this is just the moisture and fat dripping onto the fire. Simply move the steak away and wait for the flames to die down.
For an extra layer of depth, baste with butter or oil as it cooks. Just avoid anything with sugar, as it will caramelise too fast.
Ready to Taste the Difference?
You don’t have to build a fire at home to enjoy a flame-grilled steak. At Hunter & Barrel UAE, fire is the spirit of our restaurant. Our chefs know how to cook over an open fire to produce something remarkable. Finished with our signature basting, served with golden chips, salad, and a classic sauce, it’s a steak worth sitting down for. Book your table today, or explore our full menu now.
