Steak searing on a hot BBQ grill with grill marks
    2 min read Planning Guide

    How Long to Grill a 1 Inch Steak?

    Short answer

    About 7 minutes in total over high heat for medium-rare (3½ minutes per side), then rest 5 minutes. Pull it at 125°F (52°C).

    Quick guide

    Grilled steak

    27 min Easy 1 steak per person
    Thickness
    Doneness
    Pull at (medium-rare)52°C / 125°F

    You need

    • 1 steak per person (ribeye, sirloin or strip)
    • Coarse salt
    • Black pepper (optional, after searing)
    • A little high-smoke-point oil
    1. Salt it

      Salt both sides with coarse salt at least 40 minutes ahead, or right before cooking — not in between. Pat dry just before it goes on.

    2. Get it very hot

      Heat the grill as hot as it goes, 230–260°C / 445–500°F, lid closed. Clean and oil the grate.

    3. Sear

      Grill 3½ min per side over direct heat, flipping once. Don't press it.

    4. Check

      Use an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part. Pull at 52°C / 125°F for medium-rare.

    5. Rest

      Rest 5 min on a warm plate — it finishes around 54°C / 130°F. Slice against the grain.

    Rare6 min · pull at 46°C / 115°F
    Medium rare7 min · pull at 52°C / 125°F
    Medium8 min · pull at 57°C / 135°F
    Medium well10 min · pull at 63°C / 145°F
    Well done12 min · pull at 68°C / 155°F

    Grill times for a 1-inch (2.5 cm) steak at every doneness, with the temperatures to pull it at. At this thickness, a hot direct sear is all you need.

    Grill Times for a 1-Inch Steak

    Direct heat at 450–500°F (230–260°C). Cooking time excludes preheating and the rest.

    DonenessCook timePull at
    Rare6 min46°C / 115°F
    Medium rare7 min52°C / 125°F
    Medium8 min57°C / 135°F
    Medium well10 min63°C / 145°F
    Well done12 min68°C / 155°F

    Times vary with the grill and how cold the steak is, so trust the thermometer, not the clock.

    Why Direct Heat Works Here

    A 1-inch steak cooks through in the time it takes to build a good crust, so one hot, direct sear does both jobs. Flip once and don't press it.

    Want to skip the guesswork?

    Plan Your Steak Cook

    Answer a few quick questions and get a full step-by-step plan.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long do you grill a 1 inch steak for medium-rare?

    About 7 minutes of cooking (3½ minutes per side over high heat), pulled at 125°F (52°C), then rested.

    How long to grill a 1 inch steak for medium?

    About 8 minutes, pulled at 57°C / 135°F.

    How long should a steak rest?

    About 5 minutes on a warm plate.

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