The Doneness Poke Test

Buying a great steak can be a costly proposition. But, no matter how much you spend, it won’t taste great unless you know how long to cook it. The pros use the poke test to gauge the desired degree of doneness: A quick poke of the meat with your finger will tell you whether it’s rare, medium, or (heaven forbid) well-done. If you’re concerned about the heat of the grill, slide the steak off before testing. Once you become a seasoned grill meister, a poke over the heat won’t bother you.

Use the following guide to help you, but remember: A steak will continue cooking even after it comes off the grill.