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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Video: Redneck Sous Vide – How to Reverse Sear a Steak by Mad Scientist BBQ, via YouTube.
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.
- This premium Weber kettle grill has space to hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; The durable-plated steel coo…
- Easy Ash Cleanup: The One-Touch cleaning system included in the black charcoal grill has a removable aluminized, high-capacity…
- Durability and Flavor Retention: Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are engineered to withstand high temperatures and retain heat;…
- Kamado Joe Classic III — Kamado with divide-and-conquer supports two-zone.
- Double sided griddle offers a smooth surface and a ribbed surface
- Cast iron delivers excellent heat retention and is very sturdy
- For use with the Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System
- Weber Genesis S-435 — Multi-burner gas grill; disable middle burners for indirect.
- Expand Your Menu: The Weber Crafted Outdoor Kitchen Collection allows you to sear, roast, bake, steam, and even stir-fry by rep…
- Four Burners: Weber Stainless Steel Genesis Grill includes Weber’s propriety, high-performance burners, designed to produce the…
- More Grilling Space: Second-level grate offers space to grill for a crowd; Expandable top cooking grate creates large, second l…
| Product | Standout Feature | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Weber® Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black | This premium Weber kettle grill has space to hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber bu… | Check Price → |
| Kamado Joe Half-Moon Cast Iron Reversible Flat-Top Griddle with Smo… | Double sided griddle offers a smooth surface and a ribbed surface | Check Price → |
| Weber® Genesis S-435 Gas Grill, Propane Grill, Stainless Steel BBQ… | Expand Your Menu: The Weber Crafted Outdoor Kitchen Collection allows you to sear, roas… | Check Price → |
| ThermoWorks Signals BBQ Alarm Thermometer with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth… | Monitor Multiple Temps at Once: Track up to four channels — meat, pit, or both — on one… | Check Price → |
| MEATER Plus Smart Meat Thermometer, Honey, Bluetooth, 165ft, Grill… | Truly Wireless Food & Meat Thermometer: 100% wire-free, the MEATER Plus gives you compl… | Check Price → |
| ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, No. 1 Recommended Instant-Read Thermomet… | Unmatched Speed and Accuracy: A blazing fast ONE-second instant-read time delivers quic… | Check Price → |
| Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Lightweight Cast Iron Skillet | Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Cooking Skillet: This Blacklock 12-inch skillet pan is triple… | Check Price → |
| Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press, 6.75 x 4.5 Inches | Heavy Duty Press Design: The Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press features heavyweight… | Check Price → |
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.
- Monitor Multiple Temps at Once: Track up to four channels — meat, pit, or both — on one clear display.
- Powerful App Control and Tracking: The ThermoWorks App lets you monitor, graph, and manage all four probes remotely with custom…
- Stay Connected Anywhere: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth send live temperature data and alerts to your phone or tablet.
- MEATER Plus Wireless Thermometer — Single-probe wireless for one-steak cooks.
- Truly Wireless Food & Meat Thermometer: 100% wire-free, the MEATER Plus gives you complete flexibility and freedom in your cook…
- Freedom to Cook Anywhere: With a built-in Bluetooth repeater in the charger, MEATER Plus extends wireless range, allowing you t…
- Dual Sensor Accuracy: Equipped with dual temperature sensors, it monitors both internal meat temperature (up to 212°F) and ambi…
- Thermapen ONE Instant-Read Thermometer — One-second instant-read for final check.
- Unmatched Speed and Accuracy: A blazing fast ONE-second instant-read time delivers quick and precise temperature readings for p…
- Outstanding Customer Support: Our Customer Care and Tech Support teams are based in American Fork, Utah. When you buy a ThermoW…
- Commercial Grade Durability: Built to last with a waterproof IP67 rating and a 5-year warranty. Thermapen ONE is designed to wi…
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.
- Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Cooking Skillet: This Blacklock 12-inch skillet pan is triple seasoned for a natural nonstick finish,…
- Lightweight Design: Weighing 25% less than traditional cast iron cookware, this cooking skillet has a thin, lightweight design…
- Elevated Cooking Pan Handle: Featuring an extended, raised handle that stays cool longer, this skillet pan ensures safety and e…
- Lodge Cast Iron Grill Press — Weighs the steak flat for even contact on the sear.
- Heavy Duty Press Design: The Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press features heavyweight cast iron construction designed to help…
- Steady Cooking Pressure: This rectangle cast iron press applies consistent weight across cooking surfaces to help support brown…
- Comfortable Spiral Handle: This cast iron grill press features a spiral handle designed for a comfortable grip and confident co…
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
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