If your taste buds need a little excitement, then a blackened steak is a good way to spice up your summer grilling. Blackened steak is a lean cut that is cooked on very high heat in a skillet. The blackening process sears the outside of the meat with a caramelized coating. It is usually done with a spicy Cajun style seasoning in a cast iron skillet.

Flat iron steak is a faithful favorite for many meat lovers. It’s lean, inexpensive, and a cinch to cook. And when seared to a flavorful finish, it's practically indistinguishable from pricier cuts like ribeye and New York strip. After marinating and seasoning the steaks to your liking, throw them on the grill over medium heat. Proceed to cook them until they're perfectly browned and

Marinades are used to make steak more tender and flavorful. The sweet and salty flavors of the marinade meld with the meat as it marinates in the refrigerator. When it's time to cook the steak, the results will be juicy and fragrant. Read on for information on how to marinate a steak and three delicious marinade recipes.

Chicken fried steak with country gravy is classic comfort food. It's a great choice for a hearty dinner when your budget is tight, since the cut of steak used is cheap and tasty. See step one to start frying.

You've probably seen a chuck steak at the meat counter and wondered how to prepare this inexpensive cut. Since the chuck steak comes from near the neck of the cattle, the cut can become tough if cooked improperly. Chuck steak is best when you cook it long and slow, like braising it in the oven, or quickly, like broiling or pan-frying it. Choose a technique that fits your skill level and

Bison steaks are a great alternative to beef steaks. These flavorful cuts are lean and cook faster, so adjust your cooking times. Toss lightly marinated bison steaks on a grill to get a smoky flavor. For fast steaks, pan-fry them in a quick vinegar and wine sauce. You can also sear the bison steaks in a skillet before finishing them in the oven. Top the bison steaks with a flavorful

Round steak tends to be a fairly inexpensive cut of beef, but unfortunately, it can become tough and chewy if not cooked the right way. Cooking methods that allow the round steak to cook slowly while sitting in liquid are generally best, such as the ones that follow.

Chefs know exactly how long to cook a steak in order to bring out the natural juiciness. Cooking a restaurant-worthy porterhouse, T-bone or fillet requires perfect timing and heat. Medium rare is often considered the best compromise between the natural taste of the meat and a seared crust.

When times are tough and your wallet is more than stretched, it's easy to resort to boxes of macaroni and cheese or hamburger helper (just to get some iron in). However, you don't have to ruin your taste buds with cheap meals and heavy preservatives, just because you don't have much cash to spare. You can still eat your favorite dish from being creative. Steak and mashed potatoes don't

Whether you use a gas grill or a charcoal grill, you can learn how to grill sirloin steak without a lot of fuss. Steaks don't require a lot of seasoning or work because they naturally taste great. Sirloins, in particular, are perfect grilling steaks that you can quickly toss on the grill for an incredible entree. Prep time: 20-25 minutes Cook time: 10-20 minutes Total time: 30-45 minutes