When you think of American food, what do you think of? Maybe you think of macaroni and cheese, chicken noodle soup, or the buffalo wing. More likely than not, however, you think of grilling and barbecue. Consider, 49% of respondents to the annual Weber Grillwatch Study say that they grill outside, rain or shine, year round. 37% say they continue to grill steaks, barbecue chicken, shrimp, and other favorites even when it’s below freezing.

Our most favorite thing to eat and grill in this country? Beef. Ground beef, steaks, steak tips, tenderloins; whatever the cut, we love it. Subsequently, according to the USDA, the American beef industry is worth over $85 billion. Of course, with all that beef consumption, there are some things to look out for. As MedicineNet points out, the most important steak cooking tips are those that help us avoid salmonella and other dangerous food borne illnesses that are known to make their way into raw beef. One of the best ways to cook off bacteria and illness is with the heat of the grill. If you are one of many Americans who want to cook steak safely year round but don’t want to brave the raging winter to use the grill, here’s how to cook steak on stove for flavor and safety.

It Starts with Your Prep Work%3Cbr%3E
Before you cook steak on the stove, you need to do prep work that will guarantee a great tasting steak while simultaneously keeping you from getting sick. As Nutrition411 writes, make sure you separate your raw steak from ingredients that are not going to be cooked. For instance, if you’re going to make a fruit or vegetable salad, keep your steak far away to avoid cross contamination. If you need to go back and forth between preparing cooked and raw dishes, make sure you wash your hands in between. Doing so will greatly cut your chances for contamination and illness.

Aim for Proper Internal Temperature%3Cbr%3E
Too many people assume that learning how to cook steak on stove for safety means having to overcook an otherwise delicious slice of beef. However, as foodsafety.gov shows, steaks need only be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any malicious germs that might be lingering. This will allow you to cook your steak at a perfect rare to medium rare level without risking illness. Using a food thermometer is the best way to know that your meat has reached a safe point.

Let It Rest Before Serving%3Cbr%3E
One of the best tips for cooking steaks on the stove is to let your meat rest for at least three minutes after removing it from the heat. This will allow the meat’s natural juices to evenly disperse in the tissue, making for a particularly succulent, flavorful piece of meat. However, did you know, according to About.com’s Culinary Arts, that resting has the added benefit of killing off any leftover harmful contaminants?

Learning how to cook steak on the stove should first and foremost be about safety. After all, how much enjoyment can you get out of something when it will make you terribly ill? Luckily, in the case of steak, safety does not sacrifice flavor. Keep these three tips for how to cook steak on stove in mind for a delicious, safe meal.