How To Cook Steak On Pit Boss Pellet Grill (10 Simple Steps)

There is nothing like a perfectly cooked steak (just some simple salt and pepper is all it needs!)

But perfecting the cook, and serving the perfect smoked steak can take a bit of know-how.

Read on for some tips and tricks to cook a steak your guests will rave about!

Choosing the Right Steak

First things first, let’s talk about the best type of steak for the pellet grills.

You can smoke any cut of beef, but the general rule of thumb is the thicker the better.

Aim for something greater than 1½ inches.

Anything thinner will dry out before you can get a decent amount of smoke flavor in.

Ribeye steaks, sirloin, New York strip, and T-bone steak are great on the grill.

Just remember in bone meat also tends to release extra natural flavor.

If you use high-quality meat it will give better results.

But there are ways to improve a lower quality cut, like tenderizing the steak.

Look for cuts of meat with a little bit of connective tissue and natural fat marbling.

These will break down during the cooking process and give you nice juicy steaks.

Marinades and Seasonings

Once you’ve chosen your meat, it’s time to think about the flavor you want to infuse.

Red meats can handle a stronger flavor so the sky is the limit.

Keep it simple, to begin with, using just salt and pepper. Then experiment when you are feeling more confident.

How to Marinade Your Steak

One of the easiest ways to get some extra flavor and moisture into your steak is to marinade it

While it’s not essential to the outcome, it does infuse another level of flavor into the meat. It can also help tenderize if the cut of meat is tough.

Easy Marinade Recipe

• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey optional
• 1.5 tsp sea or kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 6 cloves garlic peeled and smashed

Combine all ingredients in a clip seal bag or container.

Place meat in and coat with the mix. Marinate the meat for at least one hour, and no longer than 24 hours.

Seasoning The Steak

You can’t go past a good shop-bought favorite steak rub to boost flavors.

Or you can make your own.

Try herbs and spices like garlic, onion powder, thyme, basil, sage, pepper, and mustard.

Preparing the Steaks 

There is very little needed to prepare steak for cooking.  

Let it come to room temperature.

This will give a more even cook, and give a better chance for a crust/bark to form.

Pat the entire steak dry, and brush with olive oil if seasoning.

So, How To Cook The Steak?

Using a pellet grill gives you a couple of cooking options.

1. Grilling Your Steak

You can cook with high heat, searing the exterior and rendering the fat.

This seals in the juices and flavor, giving a rare center and a crispy outer crust.

Ensure the surface is dry, so it doesn’t start steaming. Cooking time is several minutes on either side.

2. Smoke Then Sear Your Steak

Or you can cook your steak low and slow then sear it.

Smoking doesn’t need marinade or seasoning (but you can still add them) as the wood pellets will create all the flavor.

Smoking will take time, so patience is a must!

Once almost done, switch to reverse sear the steak and create a delicious crusty outer layer.

How Long To Cook Steak on a Pellet Grill

It takes at least 40 minutes to cook a steak on a pellet grill at 225°F.

If you want medium rare steak until the internal temperature is 120°F and that takes around 40 minutes.

However, this depends on the cut, thickness, and doneness you desire.

After the 15-minute mark, begin checking the internal temperature with a meat probe.

See the table below for timings and internal temperature for different degrees of doneness.

Internal Temperature for Steak

It can be difficult to gauge when the steak is ready, especially when starting.

The best way to know is to use a digital meat thermometer to probe and check the internal temperature.

Ideal Temperature Ranges:

Rare Steaks – Red – 120-130°F

Medium-Rare Steaks – Pink – 130-135°F

Medium Steaks – Some Pink – 135-145°F

Well Steaks – Small amount of pink – 145-155°F

Well Done Steaks – Mostly brown – 155-165°F

If reverse searing, take the temperature to 5-10°F short of the above table. 

Reverse Sear Technique

Reverse searing is a process to get a crusty, crunchy exterior on the steak.

Cook the steak to 5-10°F below the ideal temperature, and let it rest for a few moments.

Turn the grill up as high as possible.

Recoat the meat with another layer of barbecue rub.

Place steaks back on the hottest section of the grill grates.

Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. Keep an eye on them to prevent them from burning.

See the full guide to reverse searing steak here.

Wood Pellet Recommendations for Steak

For a sweeter, milder flavor go for pecan, apple, maple, or cherry wood pellets.

If you are wanting a stronger, bolder flavor try a mesquite, oak, or hickory wood chip.

Wood chip flavors are limitless, depending on your taste preferences.

I recommend filling up your hopper before you cook, so you don’t run out of pellet mid-cook.

Have You Tried Salt Block Grilling?

You can also reserve sear your steak on a salt block, this gives it a delicious savory flavor.

Got a NY Strip Steak?

Want to smoke a NY strip steak?

Follow my recipe below;

NY Strip Steak On A Pellet Grill 

Reverse Seared Steak Recipe

Method

• Preheat Pitboss smoker to 225 degrees F.
  
• Pat steaks dry.
  
• Season with your favorite bbq rub.  Make sure to do both sides. (a simple mix of Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder will do wonders)
  
• Add steaks to Pittboss smoker.
  
• Cook until the internal temp of steaks is 120°F.  Depending on cut and thickness, this could be approx. 40 mins or more.
  
• Remove steaks from the smoker, wrap in foil, and place in an esky/cooler with some towels to rest for 15-20 minutes.

• Adjust Grill to high temp (500 degrees F) and open slide plate flame broiler (if your Pitboss model has this feature).  
  
• Once up to temp, add steaks over the flame for approx. 30-45 seconds.  Turn 90* to get crosshatch grill marks for another 30-45 seconds.
  
• Turn steaks over and repeat above.
  
• Once the Internal temp reaches 130 degrees F, steaks are done to medium-rare doneness.
  
• Slice and Enjoy!

How do you like your steak cooked?

Smoke On!

Charlie

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