Have you ever craved a perfectly seared steak, juicy on the inside and bursting with flavor, but the weather outside is less than ideal? Don’t let a little rain or snow stop you from enjoying a restaurant-quality steak in the comfort of your own home. With the best indoor grill, you can sizzle indoors like a pro, any time of year. As a registered dietitian and meal prep coach, I’m passionate about helping people enjoy delicious and healthy meals, and indoor grilling offers a fantastic way to achieve both. In this guide, we’ll explore the top indoor grills for steaks, helping you choose the perfect one to elevate your culinary game.
Why Choose an Indoor Grill for Steaks?
Indoor grills provide a convenient and healthy way to enjoy steakhouse-quality meals at home, regardless of the weather. They offer several key benefits:
Consistent Cooking:
Indoor grills offer precise temperature control, eliminating the guesswork associated with outdoor grilling. This ensures your steaks are cooked to perfection every time, from rare to well-done.
Year-Round Grilling:
Enjoy the taste of grilled steak 365 days a year, rain or shine. No more waiting for perfect weather to satisfy your cravings.
Healthier Cooking:
Indoor grills often allow excess fat to drip away, resulting in a leaner and healthier meal. This is particularly beneficial for those watching their fat intake.
Smokeless Options:
Many indoor grills are designed to minimize smoke, making them ideal for apartments and homes with limited ventilation.
Types of Indoor Grills for Steaks
Several types of indoor grills cater to different needs and preferences:
Open Grills:
These grills feature a traditional open grilling surface, similar to an outdoor grill. They’re great for achieving those classic grill marks and are ideal for larger cuts of meat.
Contact Grills:
Contact grills cook food from both sides simultaneously, reducing cooking time and ensuring even cooking. They are perfect for thinner cuts of steak and can also be used for sandwiches and paninis.
Griddle/Grill Combos:
These versatile appliances offer both a flat griddle surface and a grill grate, providing maximum cooking flexibility. You can cook steaks on the grill side and use the griddle for vegetables, eggs, or pancakes.
Best Indoor Grills for Steak
Key Features to Consider
When choosing an indoor grill for steaks, consider the following features:
Temperature Control:
Look for a grill with adjustable temperature settings, allowing you to cook your steaks to your desired doneness.
Grill Surface Material:
Cast iron and non-stick surfaces are popular choices. Cast iron provides excellent heat retention and searing capabilities, while non-stick surfaces make cleaning easier.
Size and Capacity:
Consider the size of your household and how much steak you typically cook. Choose a grill with a cooking surface large enough to accommodate your needs.
Ease of Cleaning:
Removable plates and dishwasher-safe components make cleaning a breeze.
Additional Features:
Some grills offer features like built-in timers, drip trays, and searing burners, which can enhance your grilling experience.
Top Recommended Indoor Grills for Steaks
Here are a few top-rated indoor grills that consistently deliver delicious results:
- George Foreman Grill: A classic contact grill, known for its ease of use and quick cooking times. Ideal for thinner cuts of steak.
- Cuisinart Griddler: A versatile griddle/grill combo, perfect for cooking steaks and a variety of other foods.
- Breville Smart Grill Pro: A high-end option with precise temperature control and advanced features for perfect searing and grilling.
- Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill: A multi-functional appliance that combines grilling, air frying, baking, roasting, and dehydrating.
Tips for Grilling Steaks Indoors
- Pat your steaks dry: Removing excess moisture ensures a good sear.
- Season generously: Use your favorite spices and rubs to enhance the flavor.
- Preheat the grill: Allow the grill to reach the desired temperature before adding the steaks.
- Don’t overcrowd the grill: Leave space between steaks for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer: Ensure your steaks are cooked to the desired internal temperature.
- Let the steaks rest: Allow the steaks to rest for a few minutes after cooking before slicing and serving.
- INTERCHANGEABLE GRILL & GRIDDLE PLATES: From char-grilled strip steaks to sizzling fajita veggies, unlock delicious flavors any time of the day using the interchangeable grill and griddle plates.
- 500°F MAX HEAT: Reach temperatures of up to 500°F for high-heat grilling and searing and get better char-grilled marks right from your kitchen. (vs. PowerXL Smokeless Grill Elite).
- ENJOY OUTDOOR FLAVOR INDOORS. Grill your favorite foods year-round in any weather with this Hamilton Beach indoor grill. There's no need for a bulky, time-consuming outdoor grill that needs propane, charcoal or lighter fluid to heat up.
- LOCK IN JUICES AND FLAVOR — SEAR AT 450° F. The high searing heat of 450° F (232° C) locks in juices and flavors to provide perfect grilling results for everything you sear on this electric grill, from steak and burgers to pork chops and fish fillets.
- EASY CLEAN SUBMERSIBLE GRILL: Dishwasher-safe design for easy cleanup—remove the control panel and wash all parts. Avoid aerosol sprays to maintain nonstick efficiency.
- FAST HEAT-UP & ADJUSTABLE HINGE: Preheats 30% faster* for quick meals. The 3/4" hinge adjusts to thick foods; ensure even thickness for perfect browning (*vs. GRP0004B).
- GRILLED FLAVOR, LESS SMOKE: This grill produces less smoke than traditional indoor grills, so you can enjoy perfectly grilled food year-round without having to brave the cold weather. To achieve that perfectly smoke-free grilling indoors, the water tray must be filled with water between the minimum and maximum line. The water instantly cools the grease that falls on it, preventing it from sticking to the tray or from smoking.
- COOKING IN THE ZONE: The temperature on this grill varies by heat zone, so you can cook anything and everything just the way you like! With an extra-large cooking surface, you can cook multiple foods at the same time for a complete meal. Control knob goes from warm to sear, which allows for cooking a variety of food; grilled veggies, burgers, steak, chicken, fish and more!
- NINJA FOODI SMART XL GRILL: Updated, sleek design with the same functions & benefits. Indoor countertop Grill and Air Fryer with the Smart Cook System & Thermometer.
- SMART COOK SYSTEM & THERMOMETER: The Foodi Smart Thermometer enables you to achieve the perfect doneness, from rare to well-done with 4 protein settings & 9 customizable doneness levels. Do it at the touch of a button with no more guesswork, hassle-free.
- ENJOY OUTDOOR FLAVOR INDOORS: Grill steaks and all your favorite foods year-round in any weather with this Hamilton Beach indoor grill. There's no need for a bulky, time-consuming outdoor grill that needs propane, charcoal or lighter fluid to heat up.
- LARGE NONSTICK SURFACE FITS 4 TUNA STEAKS OR BURGERS: The 100 sq. in. nonstick, cooking surface on the indoor electric grill has plenty of space for cooking a variety of meats, veggies or panini sandwiches.
- HIGH SEARING HEAT LOCKS IN FLAVOR AND JUICES: The high searing heat of 450°F (232°C) locks in juices and flavors to provide perfect grilling results for everything you sear on this electric grill, from steak and burgers to pork chops and fish fillets.
- ENJOY INDOOR GRILLING ALL YEAR: Enjoy your favorite grilled foods in any kind of weather and without the hassle and expense of prepping an outdoor grill. Simply close the lid on the indoor grill while cooking for signature grill marks and flavor.
- SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: The Cuisinart Griddler Indoor Grill offers five ways to grill as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle.
- 5-IN-1 COOKING: This Cuisinart panini press and grill can handle everything from pancakes and sausages to grilled cheese to steaks, hamburgers, and panini.
- Nonstick & Easy to Clean: The Switzerland ILAG nonstick coating is very effective in preventing anything from sticking to the surface, even with minimal oil, and also makes cleaning a breeze, just wipe it with a paper towel or rinse it with water. Free of PFOA and PFOS.
- Sturdy & Durable: This grill pan is made of die cast aluminum, stury and no warp. The bakelite handle features comfortable to grip and stays cool to the touch.
- Wash the Entire Grill¹: For a complete clean, remove the control panel and place all additional components in the dishwasher. ¹ Remove control panel to wash grill
- Fast Heat-Up: 30% faster preheat* for quick and easy meals. * vs. George Foreman Grill GRP2841R
The Perfect Steak, Indoors
“A good steak is like a good book – it should be savored slowly and enjoyed to the fullest.” – Anonymous. With the right indoor grill and a little practice, you can create restaurant-quality steaks in the comfort of your home, no matter the weather.
Conclusion
Indoor grilling offers a convenient and healthy way to enjoy perfectly cooked steaks year-round. By considering factors such as temperature control, grill surface material, and size, you can choose the ideal grill to meet your needs and elevate your culinary skills. Remember to experiment with different seasonings and cooking techniques to find what works best for you. Now, fire up your indoor grill and sizzle your way to steakhouse-quality meals! What are your favorite indoor grilling tips? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
