The reverse-sear method works on charcoal, pellet, kamado, and gas grills. Same principle everywhere.
Reverse sear cooks the interior of the steak slowly to just under target temperature, then sears the exterior at high heat for the crust. The result is edge-to-edge medium-rare with a steakhouse crust. This guide covers the method for any grill type.
In this guide (jump ahead)
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Step-by-step method
- Salt steak 45 minutes ahead — Season with kosher salt and pepper, rest at room temp for 45 minutes minimum. Dry surface = better crust.
- Set up a two-zone grill (all grills) — Direct heat on one side, indirect on the other. Charcoal: coals on one side. Kamado: heat deflector on half. Gas: burners on one side. Pellet: run at low temp, sear separately.
- Cook on the indirect side to 115F internal — Target 225-275F ambient. Steak reaches 115F in 30-45 minutes for a 1.5-inch cut.
- Rest steak while ramping up direct-heat side — Get direct side to 500F+ (charcoal: fresh chimney or all vents open; gas: max burner; kamado: open vents).
- Sear 1-2 minutes per side over direct heat — Watch for the Maillard crust. Do not walk away.
- Rest 5 minutes and slice — Internal temperature climbs 5-10F during rest. Slice across the grain.
Grills that reverse-sear naturally
Any grill capable of both 225F indirect and 500F+ direct works.
See also: How to Smoke Brisket for First-Timers: A Step-by-Step Guide That Actually Works
- Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch — Classic charcoal kettle; two-zone setup is textbook.
- Kamado Joe Classic III — Kamado with divide-and-conquer supports two-zone.
- Weber Genesis S-435 — Multi-burner gas grill; disable middle burners for indirect.
Thermometer for reverse sear
A leave-in probe monitors internal temp during the slow cook; an instant-read confirms final doneness.
See also: Best Meat Thermometer for BBQ 2026: ThermoWorks, MEATER, BBQOVN, and Inkbird Head-to-Head
- ThermoWorks Signals Wireless Thermometer — Multi-probe wireless.
- MEATER Plus Wireless Thermometer — Single-probe wireless for one-steak cooks.
- Thermapen ONE Instant-Read Thermometer — One-second instant-read for final check.
Cast iron for backup searing
If your grill does not hit 500F, a cast iron skillet in the grill does.
See also: Best Kamado Joe Accessories 2026: DoJoe, Cast Iron, JoeTisserie, Cold Smoke, and Maintenance
- Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet — Standard cast iron pan.
- Lodge Cast Iron Grill Press — Weighs the steak flat for even contact on the sear.
Final note
Cook times, temperatures, and technique details are drawn from established BBQ practice and manufacturer guidance. Always follow your grill or smoker manufacturer”s safety guidance. Product prices and availability change frequently; check the Amazon listings for current information.
Related PitPrimer guides
- How to Grill the Perfect Steak on a Pellet Grill 2026: Reverse-Sear Method + Gear Guide
- Best Griddle for Gas Grill 2026: Turn Any Weber, Char-Broil, or Nexgrill Into a Flat Top
- How to Grill Pizza on a Kamado or Kettle 2026: Complete Setup + Gear Guide
- Best BBQ Cover 2026: Pellet Grill, Gas Grill, and Griddle Covers Ranked by Weather Protection
Frequently asked questions
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