Do You Flip Steaks on a Traeger?

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One of the most commonly asked questions is whether or not you should flip steaks on a Traeger.

While some argue that flipping steaks only once is the key to a perfectly cooked piece of meat, others believe in flipping multiple times to ensure even cooking.

Below Ill take a closer look at the debate and provide some tips for flipping steaks on a Traeger to achieve the perfect sear and delicious flavor.

Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting out, read on to learn more about the best practices for flipping steaks on a Traeger.

What Makes a Traeger Different When Cooking Steak

A Traeger Grill is a type of wood pellet grill that uses indirect heat to cook food.

This cooking process is different from the traditional direct heat method.

The Traeger uses hardwood pellets to produce smoke which cooks your steak

Leaving your piece of meat tender with a smoky flavor.

But do we need to flip the steaks when smoking on a Traeger?

Can the Traeger cook like a traditional grill?

Does a steak need to have grill marks as a hallmark of deliciousness?

Let’s find out!

You Do Not Need to Flip Steaks When Traeger Smoking

A Traeger will smoke your steak recipe into tender and tasty goodness.

A simple steak doesn’t take much to be delicious…

Good quality meat, liberal seasoning, the ideal cooking temperatures, and resting.

In normal circumstances flipping steaks while high-temperature grilling gives a tasty sear.

But a Traeger pellet grill is different from a traditional hot grill.

Smoking the meat with indirect heat takes longer and imparts flavor using the smoke.

Note: We will cover further in more detail why steaks are typically flipped when grilling.

You Can Flip Steaks if Grilling on a Traeger

I have recommended not searing if smoking popular types of steak.

However, a Traeger has a higher setting and can act exactly like a charcoal grill.

If you are using a Traeger to cook steaks on high heat then by all means –  flip away!

There is a lot of personal preference for BBQ and ultimately you do you!

Read further for a little information about why you should flip steaks.

As well as how to still get a delicious brown crust and marks on a smoked steak.

The Concept of Flipping Steaks

Flipping steaks is an important step for concentrating the flavors of beef.

But with a new generation of wood pellet grills come different cooking techniques.

Flipping a steak does the following;

– Balance the heat distribution for even cooking.

– Develop natural meat flavors from the Maillard reaction.

– Change the texture by developing a nice crust and grate marks.

The Reverse Sear Method on a Traeger Smoked Steak

If you want the best of both worlds then reverse-searing a smoked steak is best!

Producing a smoked juicy steak and a tasty crust.

Below I have the ultimate guide to smoking a steak and then reverse searing.

This will mirror the best of both cooking methods without flipping.

How to Smoke Steak on a Traeger & Reverse Sear

Here is my complete guide for smoking and reverse searing steak to perfection.

Remember you don’t need to flip the steaks when smoking.

Step 1 – Preparing the Steak & Traeger Smoker

– Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 15 minutes before you plan on smoking.

– Brush the meat surface with oil and your favorite steak rub.

– Season with salt & pepper to ensure you tenderize the steak

– Load your pellets and set the smoker temperature to 225°F.

Step 2 – Smoking the Steak on a Traeger

– Place the steaks away from the bottom and directly on the cooking grates.

– Insert a meat thermometer into the larger pieces of steak.

– Close the Traeger grill lid and monitor the internal temperature.

– The ideal temperature is 150°F for medium-done steaks.

Step 3 – Reverse Searing & Resting the Steak

– Heat a cast-iron pan or griddle skillet on the highest heat.

– Lay the smoked steaks and sear for 30 seconds on each side.

– Rest covered in aluminum foil for 10 minutes.

Smoke On!

Charlie

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