The Method Wolfgang Puck Uses To Cook Steak

Want to get steakhouse-quality steak at home? Wolfgang Puck's cooking method may be the answer. In a video response to a question from one of his TikTok commenters, the celebrity chef shared that when he cooks steak, he makes sure to crank the heat up as high as it'll go. As Puck explained in his video, searing the steak over high direct heat achieves the best possible crust. While you might assume that this would ultimately result in a dry, tough steak, Puck clarifies that the steak is only blasted with heat initially. For the remainder of the time, it's cooked low and slow.

This method is so effective, Serious Eats explains, because it produces the Maillard reaction. The Maillard reaction occurs when certain foods are seared or browned, imparting them with a complex, savory flavor. Therefore, the better sear a steak has, the more intense its flavor is, and most importantly, the better it will taste.

Searing steak on high and finishing it on low is a common method for cooking steak, but according to Wolfgang Puck, there's more to it than just that. The method is only effective if you start with the right steak. As Puck revealed in another one of his TikTok videos, the key is to use room temperature — not frozen — steak that's properly salted. Once the steak reaches room temperature, Puck generously seasons the meat on both sides and then rubs olive oil into it. After this, the steak is ready to be put on that high heat.

While you could just as easily do this on a stove, Puck suggests searing the steak over a firewood and charcoal grill instead for the tastiest results. Once the steak is cooked according to your preference (Puck likes his steak rare), make sure to let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.