Pan Fried Steak and Gravy – How to Pan Fry a T-bone Steak

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Steak isn’t just for grilling. Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook steak on the stove top. Follow these easy steps for how to pan fry a steak in a pan or skillet.

After you are done frying, do NOT wash your skillet until you use what’s in it to make a pan gravy to serve over your steak, potatoes or whatever you want!

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

Pan Fried Steak and Gravy

All these years, I’ve been saving my beef steaks for the warmer weather in summer so that I can toss them on the grill for dinner. Typically, I marinade my beef steaks in an easy marinade (like this 3 ingredient steak marinade), and then give them a quick grill until they are medium rare.

Unbeknownst to me, steaks can be prepared on the stove top for an equally delicious dinner option.

As I was reading Food From an American Farm, which has a treasure chest of old fashioned recipes, I stumbled upon this Pan Fried Steak with Gravy recipe.

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

Pan Fried T-Bone Steak Recipe

It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.

I’m not talking about cubed steak which is traditionally fried up and served with gravy. That’s something that I cook often for my hungry family. Find that recipe here!

This pan fried steak recipe is for T-bone steaks or a ribeye steak.

Yes, you can pan fry a ribeye or pan fry a T-bone steak in a skillet, and it can still be juicy inside.

There are a few tips that you need to know to ensure you get a juicy, pan-fried T-bone steak.

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

How to Get a Juicy Pan Fried T-Bone Steak

There’s several important steps to follow to ensure you avoid getting a dry, tough pan-fried steak.

  1. Be sure your steaks are at room temperature. If you pull the meat straight from refrigerator and the meat is cold, it affects the cook time of the steak. Let the steak sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before pan-frying.
  2. Use the right types of fat to fry the steak. Different types of oils have differing smoke points which is the temperature in which smoke appears and foods can burn resulting in off-flavors. A combination of vegetable oil and butter works great for frying.
  3. Get your frying pan or cast-iron pan with the oil screaming hot. If your oil isn’t hot enough, several things could happen including your steak sticking to the bottom and not browning properly.
  4. Don’t crowd your pan. You may need to use multiple skillets or fry up in batches if you are frying more than two steaks.
  5. Use a thermometer to get the exact temperature you are wanting.
    120º F – 125º F = rare                                                                                                                                          125º F – 135º F = medium rare
    135º F – 145º F = medium
    145º F – 155º F = medium well
    155º F or higher = well done
  6. Once cooked, let the steak rest for 5 minutes before cutting to prevent the juices from leaving the meat.
  7. If all else fails and you get a dry steak, hide it with homemade gravy. No one will know!

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

Ingredient List for Pan Seared Steak

Beef Steak (preferably T-bone or Ribeye steaks)

Black Pepper

Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil

Butter

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

Old Fashioned Pan Gravy Ingredients

Pan drippings (from the meat you fried)

Flour

Beef Broth

Boiling Water

Milk (optional)

Salt

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

How to Pan Fry a T-bone Steak

For the full ingredient amounts for how to cook steak in a pan, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  1. Bring steaks to room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes.
  2. Season steaks with black pepper.
  3. Heat vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet or cast iron skillet until very hot.
  4. Add steaks, turning over 3 – 4 times until the outside is crusty brown. Cook the inside to personal preference.  A meat thermometer is the best way to gauge the doneness
  5. Remove steaks to a platter and cover with foil.  Make pan gravy to serve with the pan fried steaks, if desired.

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

How to Make Pan Gravy

  1. Add flour to the pan drippings, stirring until the flour is the color of a brown paper sack.
  2. Whisk in beef broth and water (or milk). Continue whisking constantly for approximately 3 minutes.
  3. Taste and add salt to your preference.
  4. Serve over fried beef steaks.

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

Notes About Old Fashioned Pan Fried Steaks

  • Use ribeye steaks or T-bone steaks for this old fashioned pan fried steak recipe.
  • We use 3/4 inch to 1 inch thick steaks, adjust cooking time if yours are thinner or thicker.
  • A large skillet or cast iron skillet works best.
  • If you’re pan frying more than 2 steaks, consider using two skillets or fry in batches.
  • A meat thermometer is the best way to cook a steak perfectly.  Follow these temperature ranges:
    • 120º F – 125º F = rare                                                                                                                                       125º F – 135º F = medium rare
      135º F – 145º F = medium
      145º F – 155º F = medium well
      155º F or higher = well done
  • For extra flavor, make a pan seared steak with butter by adding a thin slice of butter to the top of the steak right as it finishes cooking.
  • Check out our Amazon Store for some of our favorite items, including a meat thermometer!

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

Recipes Using Steak

 Simple Marinade for Steak

What's the secret to a tender steak? Use a simple marinade for steak to ensure a flavorful, fork-tender cut of meat.  Our beef marinade has four simple ingredients which are probably already in your pantry.

Crockpot Swiss Steak

How to Cook Pork Steak in the Oven

Baked Pork Steak dinner is a simple yet delicious oven baked pork steak recipe with carrots, potatoes, cream of chicken soup and tomato soup. Follow these easy instructions for how to cook pork steak in the oven.

Grilled Pork Shoulder Steak

Grilled pork shoulder steaks will be a new go-to recipe for your summer grilling rotation. Simply let the steak marinate in a dry rub of garlic salt, paprika, brown sugar, and black pepper for 15 minutes, and grill. The result is a tender, pork steak full of flavor that the whole family will enjoy.

3 Ingredient Steak Marinade

We have the easiest 3 Ingredient Steak Marinade for you, and we are betting you already have the ingredients on hand - ground black pepper, bottled Italian dressing, and Dijon mustard. Your steak will be tender and flavorful every single time.

Pan Fried Steak and Gravy - How to Pan Fry a T-bone Steak

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for How to Pan Fry a Steak in a pan or skillet. 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to pan fry a t-bone steak, old fashioned pan fried steak, pan fried steak, pan fried steak and gravy, pan gravy
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

Pan-Fried Steaks

  • 2 - 4 T-bone steaks (or ribeyes), 3/4 to 1 inch thick
  • Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 1 Tablespoon butter

Pan Gravy

  • pan drippings from pan fried steak
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup milk (optional)
  • salt, to taste

Instructions

How to Pan Fry a T-Bone Steak

  • Let steaks come to room temperature, approximately 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Season steaks with black pepper.
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.
  • Heat oil and butter in skillet until very hot.
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.
  • Add steaks to hot oil, turning 3 to 4 times until crusty brown. Cook until the inside is to your desired temperature using thermometer, if needed. (See notes.)
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.
  • Remove steaks to plate to rest for 5 minutes. Continue to make pan gravy, if desired.
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

How to Make Old Fashioned Pan Gravy

  • Leave pan drippings in the pan. Add flour, and stir until if turns to the color of a brown paper bag over low to medium heat.
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.
  • Add beef broth and boiling water (and milk, if desired), whisking constantly for approximately 3 minutes or until thick.
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.
  • Taste, and season with salt, if desired.
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.
  • Serve over steak.
    Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

Notes

  • Use ribeye steaks or T-bone steaks for this old fashioned pan fried steak recipe.
  • We use 3/4 inch to 1 inch thick steaks, adjust cooking time if yours are thinner or thicker. 
  • A large skillet or cast iron skillet works best.
  • If you're pan frying more than 2 steaks, consider using two skillets or fry in batches.
  • A thermometer is the best way to cook a steak perfectly.  Follow these temperature ranges:
    • 120º F – 125º F = rare                                                                                      125º F – 135º F = medium rare
      135º F – 145º F = medium
      145º F – 155º F = medium well
      155º F or higher = well done
  • For extra flavor, make a pan seared steak with butter by adding a thin slice of butter to the top of the steak right as it finishes cooking. 
  • Serve these steaks with old fashioned creamed peas and stewed tomatoes

Steak isn't just for grilling.  Pan Fried Steak and Gravy is the old fashioned way to cook book steak on the stove top.  Follow these easy steps for  How to Pan Fry a Steak.

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