Grilling a juicy, flavorful beef shoulder steak may seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think with the right techniques. With its robust beefy flavor and tender texture when cooked properly, shoulder steak is an underrated grilling delight. Follow these simple tips for grilling the perfect shoulder steak every time.
Selecting the Right Cut
Choosing the right cut of shoulder steak is key for success on the grill. Opt for a shoulder steak cut like chuck steak, shoulder petite tender or shoulder top blade steak. Look for a thickness of at least 1 inch to allow even cooking. Examine the marbling or intramuscular fat and select a steak with liberal marbling, which bastes the meat during cooking. Moderate marbling provides the best balance of flavor and tenderness.
Proper Seasoning
Seasoning is essential for maximizing the flavor of shoulder steak. Apply a light coating of oil to help the seasoning adhere. Generously season both sides with salt and pepper. For more flavor use a steak seasoning blend or dry rub. Typical ingredients include garlic powder, onion powder paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Allow the seasoned meat to rest at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling to absorb flavors.
Marinating for Flavor
While not required, marinating shoulder steak for a few hours adds another layer of flavor. The acidic marinade tenderizes the meat and permeates it with taste. Opt for oil, an acid like vinegar or citrus juice, and flavorful ingredients like garlic, onions, herbs, spices, Worcestershire or soy sauce. Place the steak and marinade in a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate, flipping occasionally, for 1-4 hours. Rinse and pat the steak dry before grilling.
Preheating the Grill
Allowing the grill to fully preheat ensures the steak sears and cooks properly. Heat gas or charcoal grills to medium-high or high heat, about 400-500°F. Clean and lightly oil the grates for optimal browning. Leave the lid open as the grill preheats for 10-15 minutes.
Searing for Caramelization
Searing develops delicious browning and caramelization on the steak’s exterior. Place the shoulder steak on the preheated grill and sear uncovered over direct heat 2-4 minutes per side. Resist the urge to move the meat until a dark crust forms. Use tongs instead of a fork to avoid piercing the steak and losing juices.
Indirect Grilling
After searing both sides, move the steak to indirect heat to finish cooking through. On gas grills, turn one burner off. For charcoal, push the coals to one side. Grill over indirect medium heat with the lid closed until the center reaches the desired doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer to test for doneness. For medium-rare, remove at 135°F.
Resting for Juiciness
After grilling, resist cutting into the steak immediately. Let it rest 5-10 minutes, tented loosely with foil. This allows the juices redistributed throughout the meat for better moisture and tenderness. Meat continues to cook slightly during resting.
Slicing Against the Grain
Look closely at the meat grain direction and slice perpendicular to it. This severs the tough muscle fibers for more tender bites. Make sure your knife is sharp to cleanly cut the meat and avoid compression that squeezes out juices. Cut into 1⁄4-inch thick slices.
Cooking Over Different Heat
Another method is to sear the steak over direct high heat before moving to indirect medium heat. Grill 2 minutes per side over direct heat, then 8-12 minutes over indirect heat to reach desired doneness. Avoid flare-ups from fat drippings by keeping the grill clean.
Add Smoky Flavor
To infuse smoky taste when grilling, use hardwood chips or chunks. Soak them first in water 30 minutes, then scatter over the lit charcoal or place in a smoker box for gas grills. Popular woods include hickory, oak, cherry, apple, or maple. Close the grill to trap smoke.
Grill on a Cast Iron Pan
For an easy grilling option, heat a cast iron skillet on the grill. Add oil and sear steak 2-3 minutes per side. Move the pan to indirect heat and grill covered until cooked through. The heavy pan distributes heat evenly.
Try Recipe Flavor Twists
Marinate or season the steak to complement different cuisine tastes. Mexican: lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, garlic. Asian: sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger. Italian: olive oil, basil, oregano, garlic. Steakhouse: butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme.
Monitoring Temperature
Regardless of grilling method, use an instant-read thermometer to perfectly cook shoulder steak. Insert into the thickest part without touching bone. For medium-rare, remove from heat at 135°F. The temperature increases 5-10 degrees during resting. Shoot for 140-145°F before resting.
With the right preparation, seasoning, and grilling technique, shoulder steak becomes a tender, juicy, and flavorful meal. Vary the cooking approach to find your favorites. Mastering shoulder steak on the grill provides a satisfying dining experience with family and friends.
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The Shoulder Steak is a delicious boneless cut. It is characterized by low fat, rich flavor, and large connective muscles and tissues, making cooking a bit challenging. The flavor, fat content, texture, and tenderness are some of the qualities that make the steak quite popular among BBQ enthusiasts. Moreover, it is one of the most delicious yet inexpensive steaks you can purchase.
The best methods to cook a beef shoulder steak include braising, broiling, and pan-frying the chuck steak. As long as you know how to cook the steak correctly, you will have a delicious meal regardless of the cooking method you choose.
However, it is essential to remember that beef shoulder steak is characterized by a high large amount of muscles and connective tissues. Therefore, you will have tough and chewy steak if you fail to cook it correctly. Read on to learn how to cook the best steak.
How to Grill Beef Shoulder Steak Well, we all know that grilling season has finally arrived. Last week Fran camehome from a trip to the grocery store with a beef shoulder tender. This steak was packaged already and marinaded with tangy vinegar, garlic, onion,and black pepper marinade. All I had to do was grill this steak without ruiningit. The truth be known, I’ve never heard of this cut of beef before so I looked itup. Here is what I discovered. Beef tender is a cut from the shoulder and is one of the most tender cuts ofbeef it is very similar to a Filet Mignon but less expensive. Fran said this is the most tender steak that I ever cooked on the grill. Who amI to argue with that? Here is how I grilled this beef shoulder petite tender. I set my
- I grilled the first side for exactly 4 minutes.
- Turned the steak over and grilled the second side for 3 minutes.
- I lowered the grill setting to medium after 3 minutes on the second side.
- Turned the steak over again, closed the lid, and grilled for 10 minutes. Until the internal temperature reached 130 degrees.
- Then I let the steak rest for 5 minutes before cutting it.
This steak was a little less than one pound so your grill time may vary based on size. As long as you keep an eye on the internal temperature youll be fine. This method gave me a perfectly juicy, medium rare, and tender steak. I highly recommend this cut of beef, I know you wont be sorry.
Chuck Eye Steak on the Grill | Grilled Juicy Steak Recipe | Barlow BBQ
FAQ
Is beef shoulder steak good for grilling?
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Riverbend Cattle Companyhttps://www.riverbendcattlecompany.com4 ways to cook a Shoulder Steak – Riverbend Cattle CompanyGrilling. Another way of cooking beef shoulder steak is grilling it. However, for the best results, you should marinate it for several hours before you can gril…
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Pick ‘n Savehttps://www.picknsave.comYour Guide to Beef Cuts: Beef Shoulder Recipes | KrogerJul 24, 2024 — If you love that rich, beefy flavor, meat from the shoulder—also known as the chuck—is a great way to go. Shoulder cuts are budget-friendly, making …
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nosetotailapp.comhttps://nosetotailapp.comBeef Shoulder Tender – Meat Cut | Nose To TailQuite surprisingly and true to its name, the Shoulder Tender portion is high on tenderness, with its quality being close to the Filet Mignon. For this reason, t…
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Epicurioushttps://www.epicurious.comAsk Your Butcher For These Cheap Cuts of SteakMay 29, 2015 — SHOULDER TENDER Finally there’s the shoulder tender. Taken from the cow’s shoulder blade, this very tender cut of beef is a much less expensive alte…
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Grilla Grillshttps://www.grillagrills.comGrilla GrillsThese cuts offer massive flavor, but they also have a tougher texture that makes them more affordable than ribeye or filet. Give them at least 30 minutes in a m…
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Yahoohttps://www.yahoo.comThe Underrated Cut Of Pork You Should Be Using For SteakMar 8, 2025 — The best part of substituting pork shoulder steak for beef may be that pork shoulder steak is much cheaper than most popular steak cuts, including ri…
What is the best way to cook beef shoulder steak?
- Season the steak with salt and pepper.
- Sear the steak in a pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Remove the steak from the pot and sauté chopped onions, carrots, and celery in the remaining oil.
- Return the steak to the pot, add broth or wine, and simmer for 3-4 hours or until tender.
- Let the steak rest before serving.
How to grill beef shoulder steak on a gas grill?
To do this on a gas grill, light one side of the gas burners and preheat to 250ºF-300ºF degrees. We want two zones: direct heat and indirect heat. Put the steaks on the indirect heat side (the side with the unlit burners) and cook until an internal temperature of your liking.
How long does it take to grill a shoulder?
Note that this cooking time is for a 4-pound Boston butt pork shoulder. A general rule on barbecued pork is to cook it at about 215°F to 225°F for 90 minutes per pound.
How do you cook a shoulder steak on a grill?
Grilling gives shoulder steak a smoky flavor and a seared exterior. Heat your grill to high and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. Then, lower the heat and cook until it’s 145°F for medium. This method makes the outside crispy and the inside tender. Pan-searing is fast and tasty.
How to cook beef shoulder steak?
Grilling is a popular method for cooking beef shoulder steak because it allows the meat to develop a caramelized crust while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. To grill beef shoulder steak, start by marinating the meat in your favorite blend of herbs and spices.
How to choose a beef shoulder steak?
1. Choose the right cut: Look for a beef shoulder steak that is well-marbled with fat, as this will ensure tenderness and flavor. Aim for steaks that are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. 2. Season generously: Before cooking, season both sides of the steak with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices you prefer.
How long do you cook a shoulder steak in the oven?
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high, add oil, and sear the steak for 2-3 minutes on each side. Finish it in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. This way, you get a crispy crust and a juicy center. Slow cooking is perfect for tougher shoulder steak. Braising it in beef broth or wine for 4-6 hours makes it tender.
How do you cook a tough shoulder steak in a slow cooker?
Slow cooking is perfect for tougher shoulder steak. Braising it in beef broth or wine for 4-6 hours makes it tender. Or, use a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. This method turns tough fibers into a tender delight. Remember to let your steak rest for 10-20 minutes before slicing. This lets the juices spread, making it juicy and flavorful.
Is shoulder steak a good ribeye?
Shoulder steak is a well-marbled and flavorful cut of beef that is budget-friendly. Proper seasoning and cooking methods, such as pan-searing and finishing in the oven, can make shoulder steak as tender and juicy as a ribeye. Marinating the steak for at least 30 minutes helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with delicious flavors.