How Long to Smoke a Steak at 225°F

Do you want to give your steak a delicious smokey taste? A great way to do this is to smoke your steak at 225°F, but it can be hard to get the time just right. So, we put together this guide on How Long to Smoke a Steak at 225.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about smoking steaks at 225°F, including the best kinds of steak to smoke, how to prepare your steak for cooking, and other tips to get the perfect steak every time you cook.

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In-Depth Answer: How Long to Smoke a Steak at 225

When you smoke a steak at 225°F, it will take 45 minutes to an hour to get an internal temperature of 130-135°F. You can also smoke your steak over high heat by setting your pellet grill to 450°F and cooking for about 3-4 minutes per side or until the internal temperature hits your desired level of doneness.

Types of Steak

If you like steak, you already know that there are a lot of different kinds to choose from. It can be hard to know where to begin, from sirloin to ribeye. Let me give you a quick review of each type of steak to help you find your way around:

1. Fillet Mignon

One of the most popular kinds of steak is known for being soft and buttery. It comes from the cow’s tenderloin, a muscle that isn’t used much. This makes the meat very soft.

2. Ribeye

The ribeye is a standard steak cut known for its rich, beefy flavor and marbling. It comes from the cow’s ribs and often has the bones still in it, making it taste better.

3. New York Strip

This cut is known for being soft and tasty at the same time. It comes from the cow’s short belly and is leaner than other cuts. This makes it a good choice for people who like a steak with less fat.

4. T-Bone

This cut combines the tenderloin and the strip steak with a T-shaped bone in the middle. It’s a great choice if you can’t decide between the two cuts or want to try a little of each.

5. Porterhouse

The porterhouse steak is like the T-bone because it has both the tenderloin and the strip steak, but the tenderloin part is bigger. This cut is usually bigger than other steaks, so it’s good to share.

6. Sirloin

The sirloin is a steak cut from the back of the cow that can be used in many ways. It can be a bit tougher than other cuts, but it still tastes good and can be a good choice for cooking.

7. Flank Steak

This cut of steak is lean and tasty. It comes from the cow’s belly muscles. Before cooking or broiling, the meat is often marinated to make it more tender.

8. Skirt Steak

Skirt steak is another tasty and lean cut from the cow’s abdominal muscles. It is often thinly sliced against the grain and used in fajitas and other recipes.

If you need clarification on preparing any of these cuts, ask your local butcher for help. They can often tell you the best way to cook your steak and tips for getting the most out of it.

How Long To Smoke Each Cut Of Steaks

Different steaks require varying smoking times to achieve the perfect flavor and texture. Here is a chart that gives you the ideal smoking times for each cut at 225° Fahrenheit:

Cut of Steak	Smoking Time at 225° Fahrenheit
Ribeye Steak	1 to 2 hours
Filet Mignon	1 to 2 hours
New York Strip Steak	1 to 2 hours
Porterhouse Steak	1.5 to 2.5 hours
T-Bone Steak	1.5 to 2.5 hours
Flank Steak	2 to 3 hours

It’s important to remember that smoking steaks aren’t just about cooking them to a specific temperature on the inside. Instead, smoking is all about giving the meat a rich, smoky flavor and making it soft by simmering it.

For the best results, you should use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steaks and take them out of the smoker when they hit the level of doneness you want. Generally, a medium-rare steak should be smoked until it hits an internal temperature of 135° Fahrenheit, while a medium steak should reach about 145° Fahrenheit.

Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature inside your steaks to see if they are done, and then let them rest for a few minutes before cutting into them. If they’re done right, the meat should be easy to cut, and you should enjoy a deliciously smoky, juicy steak.

Best Wood Pallet for Smoking Steak

Choosing the right wood board for smoking steak can make a big difference in how the meat tastes. Different types of wood give off different tastes and smell, so picking the right one to go with the steak’s natural flavor is essential. Some of the best wood pallets for smoking steak are listed below:

1. Hickory

Hickory is one of the most common types of wood used to smoke steak. It gives a strong, bold flavor that matches the steak’s rich taste. Hickory is a hardwood that burns slowly and always tastes smoky.

2. Oak

Another great choice for smoking steak is oak. It tastes less strong than hickory but still has a smoky flavor.

3. Mesquite

Mesquite has a strong, rich flavor that goes well with steaks like ribeyes and T-bones, which also have a strong flavor. But mesquite burns quickly, so you should only use it in small amounts and mix it with other types of wood.

4. Cherry

Cherry wood has a sweet, mild flavor that goes well with steaks like fillet mignon, which doesn’t have a lot of flavors. It also gives the meat a beautiful red color.

5. Maple

Maple wood has a mild, sweet taste that goes well with steaks like flank steak that aren’t too heavy. It also gives the meat a beautiful golden brown color.

How to Prepare Steak for Smoking

For smoking, it’s best to use bigger cuts of steak like ribeye, New York strip, or fillet mignon. These cuts have enough fat to keep them moist while being smoked for a long time.
Season the steak with salt, pepper, and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Let the steak sit at room temperature for 30 minutes so the seasoning can soak into the meat.
Use charcoal or wood pellets as fuel to heat your grill to 225°F.
Put the steak on the rack and close the grill lid. Smoke the steak until its internal temperature hits 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, or 145°F for medium.
Take the steak out of the grill and rest for 5 to 10 minutes so the juices can spread.
Slice the steak and serve with your favorite sides.

How Long to Smoke a Steak at 225°F for Different Doneness

How long it takes to cook a steak at 225°F depends on the size and thickness of the steak for a different doneness. Using an instant-read meat thermometer is important to ensure the steak has hit the right internal temperature for eating.

How long to smoke steak at 225 for rare?

Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Season the steak with your favorite seasoning and set it aside for at least 30 minutes.
For a rare steak, smoke it for 30–45 minutes or until its internal temperature hits 120–125°F.
Remove the steak from the grill and rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How long to smoke steak at 225 for medium rare?

Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Season the steak with your favorite seasoning and set it aside for at least 30 minutes.
Smoke the steak for approximately 45-60 minutes, or until its internal temperature reaches 130-135°F for medium-rare.
Remove the steak from the smoker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How long to smoke steak at 225 for medium?

Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Season the steak with your favorite seasoning and set it aside for at least 30 minutes.
Smoke the steak for approximately 60-75 minutes, or until its internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium-rare.
Remove the steak from the smoker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How long to smoke steak at 225 for medium well?

Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Season the steak with your favorite seasoning and set it aside for at least 30 minutes.
Smoke the steak for approximately 75-90 minutes, or until its internal temperature reaches 155°F for medium-rare.
Remove the steak from the smoker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How long to smoke steak at 225 for well done?

Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Season the steak with your favorite seasoning and set it aside for at least 30 minutes.
Smoke the steak for approximately 90-120 minutes, or until its internal temperature reaches 160°F for medium-rare.
Remove the steak from the smoker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to Serve Smoked Steak

After letting your smoked steak rest, you can cut it up and eat it. Here are some easy ways to serve smoked steak:

Sliced

Slice the smoked steak thinly and use it as an appetizer or part of a main dish. You can serve it cold or quickly heat it in the oven or microwave. It can be kept in the fridge for four days in an airtight container.

Sandwich

Make a tasty smoked steak sandwich by slicing it thinly and stacking it on bread with your favorite toppings. You can also put cheese on it and cook a hot sandwich with melted cheese.

Salad

One way to eat smoked steak is to slice it thinly and put it in a salad as a source of protein. You can put it in a salad with your favorite veggies, like tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado, and dress it with your favorite salad dressing. You can keep the salad for up to three days in a container.

Tacos

Shred the smoked steak and put it in tacos with whatever toppings you like. You can grill steak and cheese between two tortillas to make a quesadilla. In a box, it can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Smoking Steak

One mistake people often make when smoking steak is not waiting long enough.

Smoking steaks takes time and can’t be rushed. If you raise the temperature to speed up the process, the food will cook instead of smoke, which won’t give it the flavor you want.

Another mistake is opening the door too often. This lets the smoke that has built up get out, which makes the taste less interesting and the temperature change.

Using the wrong kind of wood for your meat choice. When you use the wrong wood, it will give your steak unpalatable flavors. Also, putting pellets of one type of wood in a hopper with pellets of another can make the flavors overlap and change.

Another common mistake is not keeping the right temperature. For a flavor-packed steak, keeping the temperature steady and not changing it much is important.

Ensure enough space around the steak when you put it on the smoker so that air can flow around it. If there are too many things in the smoker, the flavor won’t be as good, and the temperature will change.

Finding the right mix of smoke and temperature is essential to avoid undercooked, bland meat or overcooked, dry steak. Use a meat thermometer to check the steak’s internal temperature and remove it from the smoker when it’s done to your liking.

Not giving the steak time to rest after cooking is another common mistake. People often make the mistake of cutting into their meat as soon as they take it off the grill. This can make the meat tougher and less juicy.

Conclusion

If you want to know “how long to smoke a steak at 225°F,” the answer is 45 to 60 minutes for a steak that is 1 inch thick.

But the thickness of the cut will change how long it takes to cook, so it’s essential to use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature hits 140–145°F for medium rare or 160–165°F for medium.

By cooking your steak low and slow at 225°F, you’ll get a flavor and texture that will make your mouth water. So don’t be afraid to turn on your grill and start cooking that steak until it’s done to your liking!

FAQs

Do you turn steak on the smoker?

Yes, you have to flip the steak while smoking it to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t get burned. It is suggested that you turn the steak every 30 minutes. Also, this will help the grill cook both sides at the same rate. You can use a digital thermometer to check its internal temperature. When the steak’s internal temperature hits 145°F (63°C), it’s ready to eat. Then let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Is smoking a steak a good idea?

Smoking is a great way to add flavor and make steak more tender. Slow cooking helps break down the tough fibers, which makes for a juicy, tasty steak. You can also try different kinds of wood to get different tastes that will go well with your steak.

What temperature does a Pellet Smoker Cook Steak at?

If you want to cook steak on a pellet grill, the best temperature range is between 225°F and 275°F. This will help the steak cook slowly and evenly, giving you juicy, soft meat that tastes great. If you want a stronger smoky flavor, you can raise the temperature to 275°F, you should keep an eye on the steak and change the temperature as needed to ensure it doesn’t get too done or too raw.

How long does it take to smoke a ribeye at 225?

The smoking time of a ribeye steak at 225 degrees Fahrenheit depends on the thickness of the meat. A thicker cut could take more than 3 hours to smoke, while a smaller one might only take 45 minutes. An average ribeye steak of medium thickness should be cooked for 1 to 2 hours.

How long to cook a thin steak at 225?

How long a thin steak cooks at 225 degrees Fahrenheit depends on how well done you want it. The typical cooking time for a thin steak at this temperature is 30–45 minutes. Check the steak’s internal temperature to ensure it’s at the right amount of doneness.