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steaks reverse seared to medium rare, medium, and medium well on Traeger on top of wood cutting board
4.58 from 21 votes

Reverse Sear Steak on Traeger with Smoked Garlic

The reverse sear steak starts off slow and steady on the Traeger and finishes with a good sear in the grill. The technique yields an evenly cooked and tender piece of meat, beautifully browned crust, and the most inviting smoky aroma! It is probably the only way you want to cook your steak going forward. 
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time1 hr 5 mins
Dry brine time + steak resting time1 d 1 hr
Total Time1 d 1 hr 15 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, steak, Traeger
Servings: 6
Calories: 392kcal
Author: Mr. JOC

Ingredients

  • 3 lb tenderloin steak
  • 1-2 Tbsp kosher salt (Diamond Crystal; use half for table salt) I use Diamond Crystal; Use half for table salt
  • 1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2-4 Tbsp neutral-flavored oil (vegetable, rice bran, canola, etc.) vegetable, canola, etc
  • 2 bulbs garlic
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients
    steak in a glass tray next to salt, pepper, and garlic
  • Sprinkle salt generously so it covers all sides of the steaks in a tray. The steaks should be around the same size and thickness.
    sprinkling salt on uncooked steak
  • Cover the steaks with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Ideally 48 if time allows.
    uncooked steak in glass tray covered with plastic wrap
  • Preheat the Traeger or pellet grill to 200ºF (93ºC).
    Traeger showing 204 F
  • Take the steaks out from the refrigerator and place directly in the Traeger.
    uncooked steak in glass tray covered with plastic wrap
  • Insert a meat thermometer inside the thinnest piece of steak.
    steak in Traeger with meat thermometer inserted
  • If the thermometer is working correctly, the steak temperature should be around 50ºF (10ºC).
    Traeger showing 53 F
  • When the thermometer reads 125ºF (52ºC), the steaks will be medium rare throughout.
    Traeger showing 126 F and steak smoking in Traeger
  • For medium steaks, remove them from the Traeger around 135ºF (57ºC)
    Traeger showing 137 F and steak smoking in Traeger
  • For medium-well steaks, remove them from the Traeger around 140ºF (60ºC)
    Traeger showing 141 F and steak smoking in Traeger
  • If you are cooking steak to different doneness, label them. Rest steaks for at least 1 hour.
    Steak finished cooking in a glass tray with label for doneness
  • Brush 1 Tbsp oil on steaks and coat all sides.
    brushing oil on steak in glass tray
  • Preheat grill to 500ºF (260ºC) or if you are using a cooktop, heat 2 Tbsp of oil in cast iron pan until oil is smoking.
    grill showing 500 F and steak cooking on grill
  • Sear the steaks for 3-4 min total until they’re to your liking. Slice against the grain and enjoy.
    steak grilling on a grill

To Make Roasted Garlic

  • Preheat the Traeger to 350ºF (177ºC). Cut the head of garlic cross-wise.
    cutting the top of the entire garlic with a knife
  • Drizzle ½ Tbsp of oil per head of garlic and surround with aluminum foil. Do not wrap as you want the smoke flavor to infuse the garlic. You can put the cut tip of garlic back or leave it off. Garlic without the tip will appear darker but won’t dry out.
    cutting the top of the entire garlic with a knife
  • Place garlic in Traeger for 40 min (grill corn or other vegetables in the Traeger at the same time to go with the steak).
    garlic smoking in Traeger grill

Equipment

  • Pellet smoker (I used Traeger)

Nutrition

Calories: 392 kcal · Carbohydrates: 4 g · Protein: 51 g · Fat: 18 g · Saturated Fat: 9 g · Cholesterol: 145 mg · Sodium: 500 mg · Potassium: 854 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 1 g · Vitamin A: 6 IU · Vitamin C: 3 mg · Calcium: 71 mg · Iron: 4 mg