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perfect charcoal grilled tbone steak recipe

Easy Charcoal Grilled T-bone Steak

The t-bone is notoriously hard to grill without overcooking the tenderloin. The method in this recipe is essentially foolproof.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.2 lb T-bone Steak(s)

SPG Dry Rub for Dry Brine

  • 1/2 cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
  • 1/4 Cup Granulated Garlic
  • 2 tbsp 30 mesh black pepper

Something to Sear With

  • 1 tbsp EVOO or Neutral oil or Unsalted Butter

Instructions

  • Combine rub ingredients in specified quantities.
    1/2 cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, 1/4 Cup Granulated Garlic, 2 tbsp 30 mesh black pepper
  • Use my dry brine calculator to determine how much of this salt to use. My steaks weighed 1.2 lbs, so my calculator told me to use ~1.8 tsp for both sides.
  • Once salted, put on a wire rack and then into your refrigerator for at least 2 hours to dry brine.

Get Your Grill to ~180-225F in a 2-zone Fire

  • This is about 10 medium sized pieces of lit lump charcoal.
  • Put the charcoal on one side of the grill to create a hot and cool zone.
  • Once at temperature, put the steak in the cool zone and put the lid exhaust over the steak.

Cook Until the Steak is ~15-20F UNDER Your Target Temperature

  • During this time as the steak is coming up in temperature, get a 1/2 chimney of charcoal lit for when you sear.
  • Once at temperature, take the steak off to slow down the cooking process.
  • Dump the lit charcoal to one side and cover the lid to build the temperature in the grill.
  • While resting, take a basting brush and paint a neutral oil on both sides of the steak.
    1 tbsp EVOO or Neutral oil or Unsalted Butter

Strategically Sear the Steak

  • Before searing, spin the grill grate so that the cool side is now over the fire.
  • Then put the strip side over the fire and have the loin side over the air gap.
  • Sear like this for ~20-30 seconds, then spin the grill grate and flip the t-bone over to the other side of the strip.
  • Repeat this 1 more time.
  • Then flip to the loin side and sear for ~20 seconds, spin and flip.
  • Repeat this 1 time.
  • Then take off to rest for ~5-7 minutes, slice, and enjoy!