The Best Oil For Searing Steak

When it comes to cooking the perfect steak, the choice of oil can be just as important as the cut of meat or the seasoning. The right oil can help you achieve that crispy, caramelized crust that’s a hallmark of great steaks. The best oil for searing steak has a high smoke point and a flavor that doesn’t overpower the meat. Refined olive and avocado oil are two of the best searing oils for steak. Light olive oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil and canola oil are also fantastic choices. Clarified butter (ghee) is another good choice since it has a high smoke point and a rich flavor.

The best oils for searing steak are:

When choosing the best oil for searing steak, smoke point is very important. Smoke point refers to the temperature at which oil starts to smoke and break down. Searing steak is done quickly at extremely high heat. Oils with a high smoke point are essential because they can withstand the high temperatures required for searing. If the oil doesn’t have a high smoke point, it will burn and make the meat taste bitter.

Searing oil effects the flavor of your steak. The right oil can add depth and complexity to the flavor of your steak. But the wrong one can overwhelm or clash with the taste.

There’s also nutrition to consider when choosing the best searing oil. While some oils may have a great flavor and smoke point, they may not be the healthiest choice.

Best Oil For Searing Steak

The best searing oils for cooking steak require a high smoke point of at least 400°F and great flavor. Steak should be seasoned and seared in oil over extremely high heat for about 2 minutes per side. Get the oil as hot as possible before placing the meat onto the skillet. The beef should sizzle as soon as it hits the pan. If done correctly, the outer surface of the meat will caramelize and form a delicious crust. The oil won’t burn and it’s flavor should add to, but not overpower, the steak.

The best oils for searing steak are:

Once searing is complete, turn the heat down or move the steak to a cool section of the grill and allow it to finish cooking inside.

Choosing the best oil for searing steak is a matter of smoke point and personal preference. Different oils can bring out various flavors in the meat but they all need a smoke point high enough to withstand searing temperatures without burning.

When considering smoke point and flavor, some oils are definitely better than others.

Here’s a list of the best high smoke point oils for searing steak:

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Light Olive Oil

Light olive oil is one of the best oils you can use to sear a steak. It has a smoke point of 465°F and a very light flavor that accentuates the steak flavor rather than overpowering it. And olive oils are among the healthiest fats you can eat containing vitamins K, E and several antioxidants and ant-inflammatory compounds.

Light olive oil is produced using heat after it’s pressed. This gives it a much higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil which makes it a good choice for searing steak. Other types of olive oil, like extra virgin, will burn when you reach searing temperatures.

Make sure when you buy olive oil for searing beef that it’s either light or refined and not extra virgin. You can tell by reading the label or looking at the color of the oil. Light olive oil is yellowish while extra virgin is deep green.

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Refined Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is one of the best choices for searing steak due to its extremely high smoke point of between 520°F to 520°F. This is high enough to be sear meat in a commercial restaurant kitchen and home ranges with a super burner. The oil has a light flavor that won’t overpower the beef. If you sear your steak above 500°F, then refined avocado oil is the best choice on our list.

Refined avocado oil is high in oleic acid, which is an unsaturated fat. It contains vitamin E and helps the body absorb other fat-soluble vitamins. And it’s is a good source of monounsaturated fat which has been linked to reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol.

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Clarified Butter or Ghee

Clarified butter or ghee is an excellent choices for searing steak because of a high smoke point of around 450°F. This is high enough to develop a good sear with a golden brown caramelized crust. It adds a rich, buttery flavor to the meat which tastes great on a steak. Use ghee just like you would a searing oil, place it in the skillet and allow it to melt. Once the pan is a maximum temperature, drop in the meat. When it hits the pan your steak should sizzle.

The only downside to using ghee is that it’s a pure fat that’s high in saturated fats. Use it in moderation.

Ghee butter has such a high smoke point vs other types of butter because it was clarified to remove water content and milk solids. The result is a butter that contains 99% pure fat. When melted, it cooks more like an oil than a traditional butter. But it still has a great buttery flavor you won’t get from an oil.

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Safflower Oil

Safflower oil has a very high smoke point of around 510°F and is low in saturated fats. It’s a neutral-flavored oil that won’t affect the taste of the meat.

When it comes to choosing the best oil for searing steak, consider the smoke point and health benefits of the oil. While some oils have a high smoke point, they may not be the healthiest option. Conversely, some healthy oils may not have a high enough smoke point for searing steak. Experiment with different oils to find the one that works best for you and brings out the flavors of your steak.

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Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is another excellent choice for searing steak. It has a fairly mild neutral taste and a decent smoke point of 450°F. The average temperature needed to sear beef on a standard stove is around 400°F, so sunflower oil will do the job. But if you have a higher powered commercial range with a super burner, use a searing oil with a higher smoke point.

Sunflower oil is consdered by many to be a healthy choice because it is low in saturated fat and high in two types of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids.

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Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is an oil that comes from grapes. It has a high smoke point of around 420°F and is low in saturated fats with a neutral flavor that won’t ruin the flavor of your steak. These qualities make it a good choice for searing beef on most standard home ranges. But if you have a commercial range like Wolf or Viking, the smoke point may be a bit low. Super burners and many gas grills can easily reach searing temperatures in excess of 420°F.

Grapeseed oil is considered healthy by many because it contains high levels of vitamin E, which has high antioxidant properties, and has shown to contribute to the reduction of damaged cells from free radicals in the body.

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Canola Oil

Canola oil is a versatile searing oil that’s suitable for many types of cooking. It has a high smoke point of around 400°F and is low in saturated fats, making it a healthy option. It’s processed from canola seeds which gives it a mild flavor that won’t overpower the meat.

The lowest temperature you should use to sear steak is around 400°F, which is the smoke point of canola oil. This makes it a good searing oil for cooking steaks at home on most ranges. But not if you have a commercial stove like Wolf or Viking. Super burners and many large grills can reach temperatures well over 400°F which would burn the oil.

Canola oil is a great searing oil with a mild flavor, but it’s easier to burn than other oils on the list. Be careful using it if you have an especially hot stovetop or grill.

How To Choose The Best Searing Oil For Steak

The most important thing to consider when choosing the right oil for searing is its smoke point. The smoke point is the temperature at which is starts to break down and smoke. If you exceed an oil’s smoke point, it will burn in the pan, making your steak taste burnt and bitter. The lowest temperature you should sear beef is around 400ºF, which all of the oils on our list can handle. But most commercial stoves like Wolf, Sub-Zero and Viking have super burners which can reach temperatures much hotter. If you sear meat over 400ºF you need to choose a searing oil more carefully.

Once you’ve considered the smoke point, think about flavor. The oil you choose will pass some of its flavor onto the beef. The best searing oils have a mild neutral flavor which you can hardly taste when the steak is done.

Here’s a chart of oil smoke points and flavor profiles:

Oil	Smoke Point	Flavor
Refined or Light Olive Oil	465ºF	Light
Refined Avocado Oil	500ºF to 520ºF	Very light
Ghee or Clarified Butter	450ºF	Mild buttery flavor
Safflower Oil	510ºF	Very mild & neutral
Sunflower Oil	450ºF	Fairly mild & neutral
Grapeseed Oil	420ºF	Mild & neutral
Canola Oil	400ºF	Mild & neutral
Corn Oil	450ºF	Very neutral
Refined Coconut Oil	400ºF	Neutral
Rice Bran Oil	450ºF	Slight nutty, earthy flavor
Refined Sesame Oil	410ºF	Slight nutty, earthy flavor
Vegetable Oil	400ºF	Neutral
Beef Tallow	400ºF	Rich flavor similar to butter and other animal fats
Soybean Oil	450ºF	Mild & neutral
Peanut Oil	450ºF	Light & nutty

Refined Oil vs Unrefined Oil For Searing

Unrefined oil is left in its natural state after being extracted or pressed from a nut, seed, pit, etc. It’s more pure and in its natural form. Refined oil goes through a filtering process which includes heat. Compounds that can break down and burn while cooking are removed from the oil. This gives refined oils a much higher smoke point vs unrefined oils. For this reason, refined oils are better for searing beef.

Unrefined oils are better for things like dressings or salads. The delicate compounds removed by the refining process have a subtle flavor that’s destroyed if you cook with them using high heat.

Neutral Oil vs Flavored Oil For Searing

Whatever oil you add to the pan will pass some flavor onto the beef. For this reason, neutral oils with a mild flavor are generally best for searing steak. Nutty, earthy oils like rice bran, sesame and peanut have a good smoke point, but the flavor can overpower your meat. Neutral oils can barely be tasted when the steak is done and they have a higher smoke point.

A possible exception to this is Ghee, clarified butter or animal fats. They have a rich buttery flavor that many people love on their steaks.

Searing Oil Smoke Point

Every oil or fat you use for cooking has a smoke point. The smoke point of oil is the temperature at which it starts to smoke and break down. This produces harmful compounds and an unpleasant burnt flavor that can ruin a steak. When searing steak, it’s essential to choose an oil with a high smoke point to avoid burning the oil and the meat. The average temperature used to sear steak is 400°F, so you need a searing oil that can withstand at least that level of heat before burning.

Different oils have different smoke points which depends on their chemical composition and processing. Generally, refined oils have a higher smoke point than unrefined oils. Refining removes impurities which increases the stability of the oil.

Oils With A High Smoke Point Suitable For Searing Steak

Here’s a list of the 3 best oils with a searing point high enough the sear steak and a butter. They all have a mild neutral flavor that won’t overpower the meat and can handle at least an average 400°F sear.

Refined or Light Olive Oil: With a smoke point of 465°F and a light flavor, light olive oil is a fantastic choice for searing beef. And it’s considered a healthy option rich in healthy fats. This is the best all around oil for searing steak.
Avocado Oil: With a smoke point of between 500°F to 520°F, avocado oil is a great choice for high-temperature cooking. It has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the steak and is considered a healthy option that’s high in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. This is the best premium choice.
Canola Oil: With a smoke point of around 400°F, canola oil is an affordable option for searing steak. It has a neutral taste that won’t overpower the beef. Canola is the best affordable oil you can buy to sear beef.
Clarified Butter or Ghee: Butter has a low smoke point, but clarified butter or ghee, are made by removing the milk solids and water from butter. This gives them a higher smoke point of around 450°F. They add a rich, buttery flavor to your steak and are a good source of vitamins A and D. If you want a butter instead of a searing oil, these are the best choices.

Searing Oil Effects Steak’s Flavor

Any oil or fat you sear steak with adds flavor to the meat. Even though an oil may have a high enough smoke point for searing, it may not have the best flavor. Always consider the flavor of your oil and how it works with your cut of beef, seasonings and sauces. The very best searing oils have a mild neutral flavor that won’t overpower the steak.

Here are my favorite searing oils for steak:

Refined or Light Olive Oil: With a very light flavor and a smoke point of 465°F, light olive oil is a fantastic choice for searing beef.
Avocado Oil: With a mild flavor that won’t overpower the meat and a smoke point of between 500°F to 520°F, avocado oil is a great choice for high-temperature cooking.
Canola Oil: With a neutral taste and a smoke point of around 400°F, canola oil is an affordable option for searing steak. Canola is the best affordable oil you can buy to sear beef.
Clarified Butter or Ghee: If you like the taste of butter but need a high smoke point, clarified butter or ghee is the answer. It has a smoke point of 450°F and a rich buttery flavor.

Health Consideration Of Searing Oils

While flavor and smoke point are both important factors to consider when choosing a searing oil, it’s also important to think about the health implications of the oil. Some oils are high in saturated fats, which can raise cholesterol levels and cause health concerns. But others are high in healthy unsaturated fats that can have health benefits.

Here are some oils that are both healthy and suitable for searing steak:

Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is high in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to improve cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation. It also contains vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Olive Oil: Olive oil is another source of healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It’s also rich in polyphenols, which are plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties.

Canola Oil: Canola oil is low in saturated fats and high in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It’s also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve heart health.

When choosing an oil for searing steak, look for oils that are high in healthy fats and low in saturated fats. Using healthy oils can not only make your steak taste great but can also improve your overall health.

How To Sear Steak With Oil

Now that you’ve chosen the best searing oil for steak, it’s time to learn how to use it.

Here are the steps to follow:

Choose the right pan: Use a heavy-bottomed pan or a cast-iron skillet for searing steak. These types of pans can retain heat and distribute it evenly which is better for searing.

Preheat the pan: Heat your pan over extremely high heat for a few minutes until it’s red hot. You can test the heat by sprinkling a few drops of water on the surface of the pan. If the water sizzles and evaporates quickly, the pan is ready.

Season the steak: Season your steak with salt and pepper or any other spices you like. Let the steak sit until it reaches room temperature before cooking.

Add the oil: Add a small amount of your chosen oil to the pan and swirl it around to coat the bottom.

Sear the steak: Place your steak in the hot pan and let it sear for about 2 minutes per side. A caramelized crust will form on the surface of the steak.

Finish in the oven: If your steak is thick, finish cooking it in the oven or a cool area of the grill. Preheat the oven to 350°F and transfer the steak the oven until it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Rest the steak: Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the steak even more tender and juicy.

Summary: The Best Oil For Searing Steak

The best oils for searing steak are:

Searing oil effects the flavor of your steak. The right oil can add depth and complexity to the flavor of your steak. But the wrong one can overwhelm or clash with the taste.

There’s also nutrition to consider when choosing the best searing oil. While some oils may have a great flavor and smoke point, they may not be the healthiest choice.

If you have any questions or comments about the best searing oils for steak, email any time.