Why Can't I Grill A Decent Steak?

[vailpass]

Grilled steaks last night, they came out ok but not great. Good cuts of meat but they weren't juicy like a restaurant. I only turned them once, used high heat. I like them medium rate.
I have 2 grills, gas and infra red, just can't seem to get the perfect streak.
Anyone have any tips?

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Stop using donkey meat

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Silock

I buy "choice" grade strip steaks and ribeyes from Costco. They still taste amazing.

Huh. Wonder if it's the same in AZ?

[Chief Pote]

This thread will stay on the main page for weeks....steak is like cars and pussy. Everybody likes theirs different.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by ChiefButthurt

This thread will stay on the main page for weeks....steak is like cars and pussy. Everybody likes theirs different.

Well said!

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Huh. Wonder if it's the same in AZ?

If Arizona is like Cali, the answer is no.

Beef at Costco is garbage in Cali. Actually, all the beef is garbage unless you go to a butcher shop or Harris Ranch at the Fairfax Farmer's Market. A good NY Strip runs $20 a pound and even then, the quality varies.

Yet when I've visited my parents in the KC area, my mom will get cheap steaks at Costco and they're great.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If Arizona is like Cali, the answer is no.

Beef at Costco is garbage in Cali. Actually, all the beef is garbage unless you go to a butcher shop or Farmer's. Market. A good NY Strip runs $20 a pound and even then, the quality varies.

Yet when I've visited my parents in the KC area, my mom will get cheap steaks at Costco and they're great.

Thanks, that's what I figured. That's my experience here as well. I go to French's Butcher shop, they have Midwest beef.
And of course anything mom cooks is great, right?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Thanks, that's what I figured. That's my experience here as well. I go to French's Butcher shop, they have Midwest beef.

I found out the hard way. My mom and dad grilled steaks for us in the middle of winter a few years back and IIRC, they were like $5 a pound from Costco. My wife and I flipped out because we'd been paying $20 a pound, so I bought some from our local Costco shortly after we got home.

Suffice to say, they were flavorless and tough as an old leather shoe. I may have even started a thread about it years ago. Some of the guys recommended a meat tenderizer but I never purchased one.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I found out the hard way. My mom and dad grilled steaks for us in the middle of winter a few years back and IIRC, they were like $5 a pound from Costco. My wife and I flipped out because we'd been paying $20 a pound, so I bought some from our local Costco shortly after we got home.

Suffice to say, they were flavorless and tough as an old leather shoe. I may have even started a thread about it years ago. Some of the guys recommended a meat tenderizer but I never purchased one.

There are a million great things about living in the west. Freely available high quality beef isn't one of them.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by vailpass

And of course anything mom cooks is great, right?

You got that right! She stayed her for a week during my wife's ordeal to help with the baby and cooked the entire time, from chicken noodle and navy bean soup with ham, to chicken Parmesan and homemade marinara to enchiladas, breakfasts and more.

Pure awesomeness.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by vailpass

There are a million great things about living in the west. Freely available high quality beef isn't one of them.

That's for sure but the older I become, the less red meat I eat. I'm really into the Foster's Farms organic chicken from Costco. I use Zarda BBQ poultry rub and let a couple of breast sit overnight in a quart container in the fridge before grilling.

I frequently grill chicken for salads, as a main course with a side or to mince and make chicken tacos with avocado, cilantro and chopped onions on a steamed corn tortilla. There are just so many great ways to incorporate grilled chicken into a meal.

Oh yeah, pesto pasta with chicken is another fave.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You got that right! She stayed her for a week during my wife's ordeal to help with the baby and cooked the entire time, from chicken noodle and navy bean soup with ham, to chicken Parmesan and homemade marinara to enchiladas, breakfasts and more.

Pure awesomeness.

Hah! I was in Iowa last week and my mom made ham and beans.it's one of my favorites. Also stuffed green peppers and beef and noodles with home made noodles.
Glad your mom was able to come help when you needed her.

[Silock]

I have such a craving for steak, I may just make a video tonight and show you.

[9er guy]

Have you thought about using charcoal instead of gas?

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by 9er guy

Have you thought about using charcoal instead of gas?

Only way to go IMO.

[ghak99]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If Arizona is like Cali, the answer is no.

Beef at Costco is garbage in Cali. Actually, all the beef is garbage unless you go to a butcher shop or Harris Ranch at the Fairfax Farmer's Market. A good NY Strip runs $20 a pound and even then, the quality varies.

Yet when I've visited my parents in the KC area, my mom will get cheap steaks at Costco and they're great.

I am still confused as to why this good sized niche market hasn't been filled. When I came out of college it was primed and ready to go and at least 3 of the grad students were contemplating taking a stab at it... yet no one seems to have taken full advantage of it on any decent sized scale. Small Midwest farmer raised grain fed & properly aged small butcher processed beef will knock the socks off most anything you guys can buy on the left coast while sliding into what many of the regions people would consider "organic" and/or "all natural". There is a substantial USDA hoop to jump through, but it should easily be offset by the premium collected.