Wagyu beef is considered one of the most luxurious and tender cuts of steak. Wagyu, or Japanese cattle, are known for producing some of the most marbled beef in the world.
Super soft and juicy, wagyu steak has a rich, buttery texture that you won’t find anywhere else. Wagyu is known for being extremely tender and giving off a high amount of fat marbling, which makes it perfect for sous vide cooking methods where heat is gently circulated throughout the meat but never directly sears it.
Here are six steps to cooking the perfect Wagyu steak.
Table of Contents
1. Season the Steak Several Hours before Cooking
Season the steak with salt and pepper several hours before cooking begins. The salt helps enhance the beef’s natural flavors and awaken the flavors of its fat.
2. Sear the Steak on a Hot Pan – Not Too Fast
A cast iron pan, sous vide bag, or similar enameled surface is recommended. Add oil to the pan, then heat over medium-high heat until shimmering hot.
Once heated, carefully place your Wagyu steak on top of the hot oil, then cook until browned all over – about 3 minutes total, depending on how thick your steak is. Try not to touch it too much during this process, as you want it to be as level as possible to cook evenly throughout.
Remove from oven, then immediately transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and let rest for 10 minutes before serving so that it maintains its true tenderness when you cut into it but doesn’t fall apart.
3. Remove Steaks from Sous vide Bag When Ready
Remove steaks from the sous vide bag when ready to plate them. If cooked in bags sealed tightly, they can go straight from sous vide into a standard oven for a start-to-finish temperature of 140°F/60°C, at which point the exterior will still be steamed but will begin to sear within two hours in normal kitchen temperatures at around 135°F/57°C.
You can tell when the steak is ready because the exterior will be a deep, dark caramel color, and you’ll be able to see an outline of the bone on the surface of each steak; when this happens, you’re ready. It’s okay if these steaks are a little undercooked at this point. It’s preferable since you will finish them off in the oven later.
4. Finish Cooking Steaks in Oven
You can start by preheating your oven to 300°F/150°C (or as high as your temperature controller allows). You can use any pan, sheet pan, or even a large platter lined with foil or parchment paper.
Either way, place each steak on top with no more than two steaks per sheet pan (and remember, keep them as close together as possible, so they cook evenly and don’t stew). If you use a foil, lightly spray it with oil, then cover tightly with foil sprayed side down. If you choose parchment paper, you must cover them completely.
Place it into the oven and cook for 10 minutes without opening doors so that all sides achieve perfection at once.
5. Remove Steaks from Oven and Rest
After 10 minutes, remove steaks from the oven and allow them to rest for two to three minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and rest so that it doesn’t fall apart when you flip it over. You can also reserve some of the juices if you want more. You should allow your steak to rest for the best results.
6. Plate Your Wagyu and Enjoy
Once you’re done, remove steaks from the pan, place them on a serving platter or plate, cover with foil or parchment paper, and enjoy. They’ll be perfect at this point. You can always serve them hot with accompaniments from your healthy kitchen.
Quick Tips for Cooking Wagyu Steak
Cooking Wagyu steak may be similar to cooking most types of beef. However, there are a few tips on how to cook wagu steaks to perfection.
- Ensure you select the best cut for your cooking expedition
- Go for minimal seasoning on salt and pepper
- Always sear on both sides equally
- Use a meat thermometer for accurate temperature reading
- Let the Wagyu steak rest before serving it
Conclusion
Everyone loves a good steak. However, there’s more than one way to cook one. It’s no surprise that wagyu has fast become one of the world’s most sought-after types of beef. Rich, tender and juicy, this premium cut of meat is an explosive combination of umami flavors.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting in the kitchen, learning how to prepare a perfect steak shouldn’t be too challenging. But if you want to get it right every time and impress your guests, take note of the above steps for cooking the perfect Wagyu steak.
