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There are plenty of ways to cook a steak, but pan-searing/oven roasting is by far the best way to consistently cook a perfect steak every time. For my T-bone steak recipe, I use garlic, butter, and fresh rosemary-infused pan drippings to really enhance the flavor of the steak. The below method is what I like to refer to as the “steakhouse method,” utilizing high heat and real butter.

The T-bone steak is a fantastic cut because it contains some of the tenderloin and a NY strip steak in a single cut. The bone in the T-bone is also believed to add flavor and help lock in juices. It’s also a great steak for sharing between two people!

Porterhouse Steak Versus T-Bone

At a glance, the T-bone and porterhouse look like very similar cuts of beef. Both the strip and tenderloin are separated by the iconic T-bone running through the middle of the steak. The biggest difference lies in the tenderloin or filet mignon portion of the steak.

A true porterhouse has an entire sirloin and entire filet/tenderloin on either side of the bone, while the T-bone steak usually has a smaller sliver of the tenderloin. Of course, the porterhouse is much larger and is a more expensive cut of beef.

The Best Way to Cook T-Bone Steak

The secret to cooking the perfect T-bone steak (or any steak), is to combine pan searing with an oven finish. This gives you a slightly crusted outside with a juicy tender inside. The oven is better at providing indirect heat, while pan-searing gives you the much desired, grilled, and a slightly charred exterior.

Sear T-bone steaks for 2 minutes per side on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet on high heat with butter or oil, and then immediately transfer to a preheated oven at 415°F. Bake for 3-4 minutes for medium-rare. This recipe is ideal for steaks 1-1 1/2 inches thick. Steaks less than 1 inch thick should only be seared for 1 minute per side before transferring to the oven.

That’s the beauty of cooking with cast iron, you can easily transfer from stovetop to oven. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, I highly recommend you get one. Cast iron gives you a “char-grilled finish” unlike stainless steel or nonstick pans. It’s like grilling indoors.

Temperature and Cook Times For Steak

Timing is everything when it comes to preparing steak. I use my phone to precisely clock each step as written in the chart below. If you really adhere to cooking times I promise you will never overcook a steak again.

Always shoot for a temperature a little cooler than your final desired serving temp. Beef will continue to cook during the rest period after it’s taken off the heat. A digital thermometer is a worthwhile investment.

Doneness	Temperature Range	Oven Duration
Very Rare/rare	120° F to 125° F	4 minutes
Medium rare	125° F to 130° F	4-5 minutes
Medium	135° F to 140° F	6-7 minutes
Medium well	145° F to 150° F	7-8 minutes
Well done	160° F and above	10+ minutes

Note: Cooking steaks at high temps in a skillet tends to get smokey. Open a kitchen window and turn on your kitchen’s overhead vent fan before you start to help with ventilation.

Let Steaks Rest

The legend, Anthony Bourdain once said, the most important aspect of cooking any steak is the rest period after you take it off the heat. Letting a steak rest for 5-7 minutes before cutting is critical for two reasons. One, it continues to actually cook the steak. Second, the juices evenly distribute throughout the meat, yielding the perfect bite every time.

I like to finish my steak by spooning the garlic and herb-infused pan drippings over the steak before serving. This will deliver so much fantastic flavor in every bite.

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