Can You Really Cook A Steak In The Microwave?

Pity the poor microwave. While it can be found in just about every kitchen, office break room, convenience store, and hotel room, it's still considered to be somewhat of a joke when it comes to serious cooking. Foodies boast and blog about their culinary experiments involving Instant Pots and sous-vide machines, and anyone who admits to practicing microwave cookery is practically considered a candidate for the Hulu series Worst Cooks in America. Surprisingly enough, though, this "ugly duckling" appliance can be used for more than just reheating leftovers — you can use your microwave to poach eggs, toast nuts, whip up an almost effortless risotto and, yes, you can even use it to cook a steak.

Admittedly, the microwave is probably not how you'd choose to prepare that pricy cut of Wagyu beef you picked up at the artisanal boucherie, but if you just want a nice sirloin without having to bother with heating a skillet or broiler or firing up a grill, a decent steak dinner in minutes is yours for the nuking.

First, you will need to thaw your steak, since a frozen steak is no candidate for microwave cooking. Once the steak is thawed, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit for an hour or two to allow it to reach room temperature, as this prevents it from getting dried out as you cook it. Pat the steak down with a paper towel, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you wish — but no oil! Oiling your steak may cause it to burn, as well as making a mess in your microwave. 

Place the steak in a microwave-safe dish, then cook it on high (this is pretty much the microwave's default temperature, in case you never bothered figuring out the meaning behind all those extra buttons) for five to seven minutes, and flip it once about halfway through.

As your steak is resting, just toss a potato in the microwave for a classic steakhouse side. All you need to do now is mix a quick martini, and you'll be set for a glorious evening of binge-watching Mad Men on Netflix for the umpteenth time.