How to Pan-Fry a Petite Sirloin

By: Caryn Anderson

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You don't have to spend a lot of money to cook a delicious steak dinner. Petite sirloin steaks are less expensive than many other cuts, but still give you a tender, beefy bite. Keep an eye on the time when you’re pan-frying the steak, though; overcooked sirloin ends up being tough and chewy. The process is simple -- all you need is a screaming hot pan and a little seasoning. Beyond that, successful pan-fried steaks only need to be timed carefully and cut against the grain to prevent chewiness.

Step 1

Season the steak with kosher salt at least 40 minutes before cooking. This is the minimum amount of time that the salt needs to do its job of breaking down some of the meat's muscle tissue and allowing the juices and salt to be absorbed into the meat.

Step 2

Remove the steak from the refrigerator roughly 30 minutes before cooking and let it sit at room temperature; this ensures even cooking. Pat it with paper towels to make sure it's dry. If there's too much moisture on the steak's surface, it won't sear properly.

Step 3

Rub a little olive oil, or your favorite cooking oil, on both sides of the petite sirloin before seasoning it with a sprinkle of salt and black pepper.

Step 4

Turn the stove on to medium-high heat. Place a cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan onto the stove's burner. Avoid using a nonstick pan, since it won't get hot enough and shouldn't be used at the high temperature you need to sear the steak.Once you can feel the heat when you hold your hand above the pan, add cooking oil to the pan.

Step 5

Add the sirloin steak to the pan and let it cook for two to three minutes before flipping the steak with tongs. Allow the steak to cook for another two to three minutes before removing it from the pan and transferring it to a cutting board.