If you want to know all about pellet grill steaks and how to grill and smoke them to perfection then you’ll be glad you found us.

Pellet grills are really well set up for either grilling steaks hot and fast, or smoking steaks slow and low to infuse flavour.

Pellet Grill Steaks – A Grilling & Smoking Guide

Choosing the Right Steak Cut

In terms of taste and the environment organic, grass-fed beef is always the best choice. Try your local butcher and don’t be afraid to ask how the animal was raised.

The steaks you get from the supermarket can contain growth hormones, antibiotics and may not have been pasture-raised. At the very least they have been stuck inside plastic wrapping for a while, which affects the taste.

Here are some of our favourite cuts of steak for grilling or smoking.

• Ribeye
• Sirloin
• Tomahawk Steak
• T-Bone Steak
• Porterhouse
• Tri Tip Steak
• Rump Steak

Seasoning Pellet Grill Steaks

Steak has already got a rich, bold flavour so it’s best to go easy on the seasonings.

The classic Texan seasonings for beef are essentially just salt and pepper which allows the flavour of the beef to come through very nicely indeed. If you want to add a little garlic powder for extra flavour that can work well too.

It might be worth considering that pepper burns at a high heat and can become bitter, so you may want to add your freshly cracked black pepper after searing.

If you like your steak well charred on the outside, you might like to use a charcoal activated rub.

TOP TIP – For extra flavour take the dry brine approach to steak. Sprinkle your steak with coarse salt on each side, and leave it to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

The Reverse Sear Method for Smoking Pellet Grill Steaks

If you want to smoke steak low and slow for extra flavour, but still want that perfect sear and crispy exterior this method will suit you.

• Add your wood of choice to the hopper
• Preheat your pellet grill to 225F (107C)
• Allow the smoker to burn off any unwanted chemicals for 10-15 minutes with lid open
• Season your steak
• Place the steak directly on your pellet grills and close the lid
• Smoke for around 45 minutes to an hour until the internal temperature reaches 100-110F (38-43C)
• Increase the heat to 500F (260C) and sear the steak on all sides until the internal temperature reaches desired doneness (see infographic below). If your pellet grills don’t go as hot as 500F (some only go to 450F) just sear in a pan on your hob with some butter
• Rest for 5 minutes or so and serve

You can watch the reverse sear process along with compound butter for steak on our Instagram video.

Method for Grilling Pellet Grill Steaks

If you want to grill steaks on the pellet grill hot and fast, you’ll find it’s one of the quickest and easiest meats to grill.

• Add your choice of wood to the hopper of your pellet grill
• Get the heat up to 500F (260C) and leave the lid open for 10 minutes or so to burn off any ash
• Season your steak
• Cook your steak on the hot grills over direct heat – see table below for cooking times
• Rest steak for 5 minutes and serve

How Long to Cook Steaks on a Pellet Grill?

What Are the Best Woods For Pellet Grill Steaks?

The bold flavours of beef can hold up well to strong smoky flavours, such as mesquite, oak or hickory.

However, if you prefer a milder, fruity smoke flavour cherry is an excellent choice.

What to Serve with Pellet Grill Steaks

There are so many great steak sides and sauces out there. One of our favourites has to be cowboy butter but here are a few other ideas for steak sauces and sides.

• Bearnaise Sauce
• Blue Cheese Sauce
• Fries
• Mashed potatoes
• Roast Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Baked Potatoes
• Green Beans
• Broccoli
• Green Salad
• Tobacco Onions
• Mac and Cheese
• Coleslaw
• Corn on the Cob
• Refried Beans
• Grilled Asparagus
• Peppercorn Sauce

FAQ’s About Pellet Grill Steaks

What Temperature do you Cook a Steak on a Pellet Grill?

If you want to grill your steaks quickly at high heat it’s best to aim for 500F (260C). However if you would like to smoke your steak on a pellet grill start it off at 225F (107C) for around an hour and then finish it off at 500F (260C) for a nice seared exterior.

Are Pellet Grills Good for Steaks?

Pellet grills are a versatile way to smoke or grill meats in general, and steaks are no exception.

How Long to Cook Steak at 225F on a Pellet Grill?

It will take around an hour to smoke a steak at 225F (107C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 100-110F (38-43C). Then you can sear it at high heat to bring your steak up to your desired level of doneness – rare, medium rare, medium or medium well.

Obviously this will depend on the size of the steak – larger steaks will take longer than this.

How Long to Cook Steak at 200F on a Pellet Grill?

Depending on the thickness of the steak it will take around an hour or so to cook steak at 200F (93C). The internal temperature is more important than the timings however and it will be 120-125F or 49-52C for medium rare.

Can you Slow Cook a Steak on a Pellet Grill?

You certainly can slow cook a steak on a pellet grill. It will take around an hour to smoke your steak, depending on the size of your meat.

How Long to Cook Steak on Traeger at 450F?

At the high heat of 450F you should be able to cook your steak to your desired doneness in around 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the steak and how you like it.

Related Articles – ‘Best Pellet Grill Steaks Recipes,’ and ‘Smoked Steak Recipes Collection.’

You might also enjoy our ‘Best Z Grills,’ Article.