So, how does Texas Roadhouse cook their steaks? It is a common question when you always crave a nice tender steak.

There is nothing better than a wonderful, transcendent steak that is perfectly cooked, juicy, and ready for dinner.

A well-prepared steak may make for a memorable meal and a welcome change of pace.

If you are a steak connoisseur, you have certainly wondered how your favorite steakhouse achieves that famously soft texture.

And Texas Roadhouse always comes to mind, as they are among the most famous steakhouses in the US.

So, how do they achieve that tender steak?

They use only USDA choice meat and tenderize it using special techniques while covering the sides of their steak with their unique seasonings. 

How Does Texas Roadhouse Cook Their Steaks?

how texas roadhouse cook steak

The menu at Texas Roadhouse is unrivaled, and that is a big part of their success.

Since 1993, Texas Roadhouse has been selling high-quality beef that has been trimmed by expert meat cutters. 

Their commitment to serving only the highest quality beef, aged perfectly, has made them the most famous steakhouse in America.

Everything on the menu is created fresh every day, from the complimentary peanuts and fresh-baked bread to the fall-off-the-bone ribs, hand-cut steaks, and made-from-scratch sides.

Fact: Texas Roadhouse is one of the most popular steakhouses, with more than 600 restaurants around the globe. 

How Does Texas Roadhouse Make Their Steak So Special?

texas roadhouse make steak special

The steak at Texas Roadhouse is wonderful, savory, and reasonably priced.

Because it is a USDA choice, you can depend on the quality of the meat you purchase at the restaurant. 

How Do They Cook It to Perfection?

The chefs at Texas Roadhouse begin the cooking process by seasoning each side of their steaks first.

Then they let it sit for forty minutes.

As a result, the salt penetrates the surface and degrades the muscle fibers.

Therefore, the steak becomes quite soft and you get that tasty meat you usually associate with this restaurant. 

What Types of Steaks Can You Order at Texas Roadhouse?

At Texas Roadhouse, you can choose from a vast selection of steaks. Steaks include flank, sirloin, ribeye, and steak kabobs.

sliced cook steak

The ribeye is the most tender steak they offer, and the 6-ounce USDA Choice Sirloin is a customer favorite.

Fact: The most popular option at Texas Roadhouse is ribeye, which is known for its flavor, usually coming from its fat content. 

How Does Texas Roadhouse Cook Tender Quality Meat?

To begin, Texas Roadhouse only serves fresh, hand-cut steaks. And they utilize different methods to get their steak tender, and wet aging is used more frequently.

They handle the wet aging process in various ways. Apparently, papain, an enzyme found in papaya, is utilized.

This aids in the breakdown of connective tissues.

The presence of connective tissue is the reason behind tough steaks. Several methods exist for degrading connective tissue. 

What is the Other Alternative for Cooking Tender Meat?

cooking alternatives for meat

Slow cooking is a great alternative, but it works best with larger beef cuts.

When steaks are aged in a moist atmosphere before being grilled at high heat and for a short time, they are easier to cut into uniform slices. 

Overall, Texas Roadhouse uses different processes to give you that juicy steak.

These include dry brining, curing the meats, and cooking them sous vide (vacuum sealing).

Currently, the majority of well-known eateries also employ these practices. 

Does Texas Roadhouse Use Dry Steak Rub for Tenderization?

Yes, using a dry rub has always been a good way to tenderize steak. Here is how they do it. 

preparing meat
Step #1: Prepare the Meat

They wash and pat the steak dry using a paper towel for at least 40 minutes before cooking.

Then, they proceed by seasoning the meat with salt and ground black pepper.

Step #2: Leave it for a While

Let your steak rest for at least 40 minutes. After that, they simply rinse the steak and know it is ready for cooking when it develops a deeper red color. 

Why Does This Method Work?

The meat is permeated with salt and pepper, which aids osmosis by causing the flesh to lose water.

The meat becomes less chewy and more delicious as a result of this process.

seasoning a steak cut
Note

If you are doing it at home, you can buy Texas Roadhouse steak seasoning to help tenderize the meat.

Fact: Most people opt for the striploin when they are interested in a hearty cut of beef because the striploin is usually leaner compared to the ribeye.  

Does Texas Roadhouse Cook Their Steak in Butter?

A lot of steakhouses put butter on the steak as a final touch to enhance the flavor.

The flavor and presentation of a steak are greatly enhanced by adding a modest amount of butter.

It could be the basting of butter in a skillet or a ladle of clarified butter.

texas roadhouse steak butter

So, do they use butter while cooking their steaks?

Apparently, they do.

Texas Roadhouse’s secret to a tender steak is resting it after seasoning it.

This allows the spice to infiltrate the steak, where it can help break down the meat’s muscular fibers.  

Then, a flat griddle or skillet is buttered, and the steak is seared for one minute on each side to develop caramelization.

After that, they either finish the cooking on the pan or transfer the steak to a grill. 

Should You Always Use Butter When Cooking Steaks?

baste steak with butter

It seems not.

Butter can be smoked at temperatures as low as 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soybean oil, avocado oil, and canola oil all have smoke temperatures between 400 and 520 degrees Fahrenheit.

Therefore, these oils are ideal for use when cooking steaks.

In fact, if you do some research, you will discover that Texas Roadhouse also uses soybean oil for most of its frying.

If you cannot find anything else, you should then opt for clarified butter. 

What is the Texas Roadhouse Steak Recipe to Cook It at Home?

steak recipe

The secret to Texas Roadhouse’s soft and juicy steaks is the cut of meat and the seasoning.

To get the best results, be sure to keep the following tips in mind

Use the Right Pan

Having an evenly distributed temperature is the key to a perfectly tender steak.

A well-seasoned cast-iron pan is essential to making a steak as good as one from a Texas roadhouse.

When using the right pan, speeds up the process of getting a steak’s desired golden crust. 

Know the Right Temperature

Forget about cooking Texas Roadhouse quality steak if you do not know the right temperature for cooking.

right cooking temperature

First of all, you should bring the steak to room temperature before you throw it on the grill.

Medium-rare is the way to go when grilling.

Texas Roadhouse recommends serving steaks at an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep track of the temperature with the help of a digital thermometer, as these are the most accurate.

Additional Things to Remember

  • Be sure to marinate your steak for at least half an hour for the best results.
  • Make sure the grill is hot and you only cook steaks for a few minutes per side.
  • Leave the steak for 5 minutes before slicing for flavors to lock in. 

How Do You Cook Texas Roadhouse Steak at Home?

cook steak at home

The process is not all that tricky, but you have to be careful about minor things, such as achieving the right temperature while cooking. 

Ingredients

  • Brown sugar
  • Sirloin steak
  • Black pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Onion powder
  • Turmeric
  • Paprika
  • Garlic salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Chilli powder
  • Cornstarch 

Step #1: Combine the Seasoning Ingredients

Begin by combining the seasoning ingredients in an empty jar or a sealed Ziplock bag.

Ensure the bag is sealed tightly and then shake it vigorously. 

marinating steak

Step #2: Marinate the Steak

Ensure that you cover each steak, front and back, using a generous amount of steak seasoning. 

Step #3: Set it Aside

Once you have finished the seasoning process, let it sit there for at least 40 minutes. Ensure the steak stays at room temperature all the time. 

Step #3: Prepare the Grill

Set your grill and heat it until it reaches 400F. Now, use olive oil or vegetable oil to spray the grill gates. 

prepare grill

Step #4: Place the Steak on Grill

Once you have oiled the grill, you should simply place your steak on it and begin cooking for up to 5 minutes.

Do not forget to flip it over for a couple of minutes, based on how cooked you want your steak to be. 

Step #5: Serve

Take the steak off the grill and leave it for another 5 minutes or so.

Then, cut it and serve!

Fact: You may want to order the Dallas Fillet if you are interested in trying the most tender juicy steak. 

Takeaway

Learning how does Texas Roadhouse cook their steaks can also help you make your steak just as juicy and tender.

In most cases, it all comes down to the seasoning you use and what temperature you use while cooking.

Learn about these things and you will always make steaks as flavorful as you can find at any popular steakhouse.