There’s no debating, Cooking the perfect Steak is much more of an art than a science. It takes a certain level of culinary finesse to take raw meat and turn it into a fall-off-the-bone, mouth-orgasm meal.

But no matter how often you wear your chef’s hat and the cooking background you come from, there are certain do’s and don’ts that you must adhere to. Following these guidelines, you'll get the absolute best steak - every time. It’s not to say you can’t add your own flavor or flare, but knowing some quick cooking rules for steak - aka recipes - will ensure the end result creates Facebook-photo worthy in looks, and tender in taste.

There are three basic options to cook a steak: pan fry, oven broil, and grill. Weather permitting, meat-lovers usually opt for grilling (we found The Most Amazing Grilling Gadgets You Won't Believe Exist). But when the outdoors don’t permit you to grill up a storm, or you're in the mood to try a new route, pan frying and oven broiling are two equally impressive cooking methods.

If you’re not sure where to start, the actual piece of meat you select can help guide you on the best cooking route. Pan frying works best for steaks that are around 1.5" thick. The oven route works for similar sized steaks, or those that are a little larger - up to about 2" thick. It’s pretty much free game when it comes to grilling any steak. Still, this method works best when you use a cooking thermometer to gauge the meat temperature and ensure your steak is fully cooked to your liking.

Beyond actually cooking, there’s also marination to keep in mind. You can buy packaged marinades, or you can create your own. Many simple, delicious marinades will often contain red wine, such as this red-wine rosemary marinade recipe below, suitable for a 1.5" steak:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dry red wine
  1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  4 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
  2 sprigs fresh rosemary, needles removed
  1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Whisk all ingredients together in a large bowl and pour over steak. Let marinated steaks sit covered in your refrigerator overnight, or for at least 6 hours before cooking.

Once you’re ready to become the master chef of steaks, select from 1 of the 3 best options below to cook up your next mouthwatering steak.