6 Steps Smoking New York Strip Steak for Juicy Flavor

New York strip steak is a delicious, indulgent cut of meat. This incredibly tender, beautifully marbled meat deserves a preparation that draws out its flavors and provides the perfect dining experience.

Smoking a New York strip steak optimizes the meat’s tenderness. In addition, the smoke adds a rich, delicious flavor while helping the meat retain its natural juiciness. 

This article will teach you the six steps for smoking a perfect New York strip steak. The quick, simple process will have you enjoying a gourmet meal in no time. 

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Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

This may seem a given, but always appreciate the value of having your ingredients and tools ready. You’ll need quality steak, of course, but also grab a meat thermometer, salt, your favorite dry rub, and wood for your smoker. 

Mesquite, oak, and hickory all provide stronger tastes. Cherry wood offers a milder but still distinct taste.

Heat the Smoker

While smoking a New York strip steak, higher temperatures finish the meat faster and risk drying it out. 180 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for preparing the dish.

The steak finishes relatively quickly, maintains moisture, and absorbs a delicious, smoky flavor. Preheat your smoker to 180 degrees Fahrenheit before adding your steaks.

Prepare Your Meat!

Sure, the smoke provides much of the steak’s flavor, but you’ll still want to coat your meat in a dry rub. Of course, you may already have a personal favorite dry rub. However, if you’re looking for the perfect spice combination, consider a rub including paprika, dried mustard, garlic, brown sugar, cayenne, cumin, and pepper. 

Use a paper towel to dab any moisture away from your steaks. Then, thoroughly massage the rub into the meat. 

Cook That Steak

Once your smoker reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit, and you’ve seasoned your meat, it’s time to cook the New York strip steak. Cook your meat for between 45 and 50 minutes. Then, start taking temperature readings at 45 minutes. 

Once your New York Strip steak reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit internally, remove it from the smoker. 

Finish it Up

Once your steak is cooked through, there are two ways to finish the dish. First, you want to seal all the delicious smoke flavor into the meat by caramelizing the exterior at high heat.

Grilling the New York strip steak is your first finishing option. Heat your grill to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the grill reaches that temperature, place the steak on it and cook each side until you’ve achieved aesthetically pleasing grill marks. Take regular readings. Once your meat reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit internally, it’s completed to medium-rare perfection.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to bust out the grill, you can sear the flavors into your steak. 

Place a cast iron skillet on high heat. Let the pan get incredibly hot, then add your chosen oil. Heat the oil until it’s shiny, then add the steak. Sear both broad, flat sides for two minutes and each slender edge for 30 seconds.

Let it Rest

By now, the delicious smell of smoked New York strip steak is probably making your mouth water and your tummy grumble. Resist the urge to take an instant bite, however. Letting the meat sit allows the moisture to redistribute, creating an even, juicy steak.

Let the steak rest for between 5 and 7 minutes before eating. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you fire up your smoker, let’s answer a few frequently asked questions to round out your New York strip steak knowledge. 

Can You Smoke a New York Strip Steak?

Absolutely you can! Smoking a New York strip steak is a quick, easy way to infuse your meat with a delicious, smoky flavor. It also keeps your steak juicy.

Is It Worth Smoking a Steak?

It is definitely worth it to smoke your steaks. The process adds lots of flavors and cuts down on preparation time. The wood does most of the heavy lifting, eliminating the need for extra ingredients. Additionally, smoked steak is extremely tender. 

How Long Does New York Strip Take to Smoke?

The precise time varies depending on how well done you want your steak. However, most prefer a medium-rare New York strip steak. Achieving the perfect medium-rare smoked steak takes between 45 and 50 minutes; however long it takes the meat’s internal temperature to reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit. 

What Happens if You Smoke a Steak?

When you smoke a steak, you end up with a juicy, tender, flavorful piece of meat. Each bite of meat packs a flavorful punch, full of the taste of wood and smoke. 

How Long Does It Take to Smoke a Steak at 225 Degrees?

Smoking a steak at 225 degrees Fahrenheit takes between 45 minutes and an hour. Much like smoking the meat at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the steak is finished when the desired internal temperature is met.

Can You Smoke Steak in a Smoker?

You can absolutely smoke steak in a smoker. This method is particularly effective on tougher cuts that require longer to tenderize. 

Can You Smoke a New York Strip Roast?

Yes, you can smoke a New York strip roast. However, this process takes considerably longer than the strip steak. General wisdom suggests you should smoke the roast for half an hour for every pound of meat.