Cooking steak in the NuWave oven is a quick and easy way to get a delicious meal on the table. The NuWave oven uses triple combo cooking power of conduction, convection, and infrared heat to quickly cook foods to perfection. Determining the right cooking time for a steak in the NuWave will ensure you end up with a tender, juicy result.
Factors That Affect Steak Cooking Time
Several factors impact how long you need to cook a steak in the NuWave oven:
Steak Thickness
The thickness of your steak is the most important factor for determining cooking time. Thinner steaks will cook faster than thick steaks. Here are some general guidelines for common steak thicknesses:
| Steak Thickness | Cooking Time |
| 1/2 inch | 4-7 minutes |
| 3/4 inch | 7-10 minutes |
| 1 inch | 10-14 minutes |
| 1 1/2 inches | 14-18 minutes |
Steak Cut
Different cuts of steak also require slightly different cooking times. Leaner cuts like sirloin may cook faster than fattier cuts like ribeye. Tenderloin and filet mignon are very tender and require less time than cuts like flank steak.
Steak Temperature
Cooking time can vary based on whether you want your steak rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done. Rare steak only requires enough time to warm the center. Well-done steak needs to cook through until completely browned inside.
Bone-In vs Boneless
Bone-in steaks may require a bit more cooking time than boneless steaks since the bone continues to cook and transmit heat to the meat after being removed from the oven.
Frozen vs Thawed
Frozen steaks will take longer to cook than thawed steaks because they need time to defrost in the oven before cooking through. It’s best to thaw steaks in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Cooking Guidelines for Common Steak Cuts
Here are more specific time ranges for cooking some popular steak cuts in the NuWave based on thickness and doneness level:
Ribeye Steak
| Rare | Medium-Rare | Medium | Well-Done | |
| 1/2 inch | 4-6 mins | 6-7 mins | 7-8 mins | 8-10 mins |
| 3/4 inch | 7-9 mins | 9-11 mins | 11-13 mins | 13-15 mins |
| 1 inch | 10-13 mins | 13-15 mins | 15-17 mins | 17-20 mins |
| 1 1/2 inches | 15-18 mins | 18-21 mins | 21-24 mins | 24-27 mins |
Strip Steak
| Rare | Medium-Rare | Medium | Well-Done | |
| 1/2 inch | 4-5 mins | 5-6 mins | 6-7 mins | 7-9 mins |
| 3/4 inch | 6-8 mins | 8-10 mins | 10-12 mins | 12-14 mins |
| 1 inch | 9-12 mins | 12-15 mins | 15-17 mins | 17-19 mins |
| 1 1/2 inches | 14-17 mins | 17-20 mins | 20-23 mins | 23-26 mins |
Sirloin Steak
| Rare | Medium-Rare | Medium | Well-Done | |
| 1/2 inch | 4-6 mins | 6-7 mins | 7-8 mins | 8-10 mins |
| 3/4 inch | 6-8 mins | 8-10 mins | 10-12 mins | 12-14 mins |
| 1 inch | 9-11 mins | 11-13 mins | 13-15 mins | 15-17 mins |
| 1 1/2 inches | 13-16 mins | 16-19 mins | 19-22 mins | 22-25 mins |
Tenderloin Steak
| Rare | Medium-Rare | Medium | Well-Done | |
| 1/2 inch | 3-5 mins | 5-6 mins | 6-7 mins | 7-9 mins |
| 3/4 inch | 5-7 mins | 7-9 mins | 9-11 mins | 11-13 mins |
| 1 inch | 8-11 mins | 11-13 mins | 13-15 mins | 15-17 mins |
| 1 1/2 inches | 13-16 mins | 16-18 mins | 18-21 mins | 21-24 mins |
Tips for Cooking Steak in the NuWave
Follow these tips to achieve steak cooked to perfection in your NuWave oven:
Preheat and Preheat Dome
Always preheat your NuWave oven to 350°F before cooking steak. Preheating ensures the NuWave reaches optimal cooking temperature. Also preheat the dome for 2-3 minutes before cooking for faster searing.
Use the Searing Grill
For best results, place steaks on the reversible searing grill in the NuWave instead of the cooking rack. The grill helps give an evenly seared crust. Make sure to coat or oil it lightly first.
Season Well
Season your steaks generously with salt and pepper or other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, etc. Seasoning before cooking helps flavor penetrate the meat.
Cook at High Power First
Set the NuWave to 100% power for the first half of cooking to quickly sear the outside. Then reduce to 80% power to gently finish cooking to the center.
Let Meat Rest
When steak is done cooking, remove it from the NuWave and let it rest 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. The short rest makes steak extra juicy.
Cooking Thicker Steaks
For steaks 1 1/2 inches or thicker, a combination cooking method works best. First, sear both sides of the steak on high power (100%) for 2-3 minutes per side. Then reduce oven power to 80% and cook according to times listed for your desired doneness.
Using this sear-then-cook method helps thicker steaks develop a nice crust while cooking evenly through the middle. Check for your desired doneness a few minutes early and use a meat thermometer to confirm.
Conclusion
Cooking times for steak in the NuWave oven depend on several factors like thickness, cut, doneness level, bone-in or boneless, and whether frozen or thawed. Following the guidelines provided for your specific steak will help you achieve perfect results every time. Preheating, high-heat searing, seasoning well, and letting the steak rest are keys to success. With the right techniques and timing, the NuWave oven makes cooking delicious, juicy steak an easy weeknight meal.