Top sirloin steaks are great for BBQs. A boneless top sirloin steak is a delicious cut of meat when cooked properly. Luckily, it’s easy to cook and doesn’t require much salt or additional steak seasoning.
Plus, choosing a top sirloin steak is simple compared to thicker cuts like ribeye steaks. That said, cooking any steak varies based on the type of meat. A top sirloin steak, for example, requires different cooking methods than a strip steak or flank steak.
Top sirloin steak is also a popular choice. It produces a beefy flavor and it’s easy to cook on a gas grill. You can also cook top sirloin steaks in a pan with olive oil if
you prefer pan-seared steaks.
If you want to learn how to BBQ top sirloin steak you’re in the right place. We’ll cover how to cook them and show you the best top sirloin steak recipes.
Read on to learn more below.
Selecting the Steak
Selecting the steak is the first step when it comes to learning how to BBQ top sirloin steak. You want to make sure you have the perfect steak for the best results, so we recommend going to a butcher when possible. A butcher can be especially helpful if it’s your first time cooking one of these steaks.
That said, top sirloin steak can also be found at most local grocery stores. When selecting a top sirloin there are a few things you want to look out for.
First and foremost, make sure the steak doesn’t have too many brown spots. Steaks that have brown spots have been exposed to oxygen for extended periods. When a steak is exposed to oxygen for too long, it loses some of its flavors.
Next, make sure you consider the thickness of the steak. The best top sirloin is a 1-inch steak because it cooks fast without burning. On the other hand, big top sirloins (2-inch cuts) take more skill and patience to cook.
Lastly, check the fat and marbling on the steak. Marbling (for steaks) refers to thin layers of intramuscular fat that develop a marble-like pattern on the steak. Good marbling is important for flavor because the fat adds flavor to the meat.
Ultimately, the amount of fat you want on the steak is up to you. It can always be removed when you prepare the steak.
Preparing the Steak
What separates a decent steak from a great steak is the preparation process.
To learn how to BBQ a top sirloin steak you need to prepare it properly. Ultimately, you want to prepare the steak with seasonings or marinades before you put it on your indoor or outdoor grill.
Preparing the top sirloin steak can also depend on how it comes from the market or butcher. For example, some butchers use sirloin cap steak, which includes the cap muscle.
Cutting and Trimming the Steak
Cutting and trimming the steak can be done in a few ways. The best way to cut a top sirloin is at the ends of the steak where it looks like frayed straws. Make sure you use a knife that’s long enough to cut through the steak.
When your top sirloin steak has a cap we recommend removing it. Adjust the steak so that it’s laying on the cap and cut through the fat that connects the muscles. You can see the fat connecting to the muscle tissue from the cap; it resembles a seam.
You can also make top sirloin steaks from short loins. To cut these steaks, cut the steak to a size that’s between 1 and 2 inches. Cut the steak in the middle to create portion sizes and cut across the top to get started.
Seasoning vs Marinating the Steak
There are a few ways to add flavor to a top sirloin steak. You can marinate the steak in something like Worcestershire sauce or use vegetable oil to apply a layer of seasoning. Some seasoning examples include kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Top sirloin steaks don’t need to marinate for long and we recommend seasoning the steak instead. This is because top sirloin steaks have a robust, beefy flavor.
For the best results, there are a few seasoning methods you can follow.
First, add vegetable oil to each side of the steak. From there, add about a teaspoon of salt and black pepper. If you want to get creative you can also add lemon juice or soy sauce.
Some creative sirloin steak recipes call for brown sugar and other seasonings. We also like top sirloin steaks because you can also use your favorite dry rub for excellent results.
Preparing the grill
Preparing a steak only takes you so far. You also need to prepare the grill before cooking the steak. While preparing the grill isn’t challenging, the process varies based on the type of grill you have.
Before you move the top sirloin steak to the grill, make sure you let it get to room temperature. If you don’t wait for the steak to reach room temperature, parts of the steak can cook faster than others.
Gas Grills
Gas grills are simple to use and easy to prepare. Instead of using charcoal, they use propane to cook food. A gas grill can be prepared in a few ways, especially if you’re using it for the first time.
To prepare a gas grill, use vegetable oil to coat the grates (canola oil is a good choice). Then, let the grill burn for about 15-20 minutes. Once you see the smoke from the oil stop, the grill is ready to use.
For top sirloin steaks, the preparation process is similar to other cuts of meat. Close the lid and let the grill reach its maximum temperature. If your grill doesn’t have temperature gauges you can use a thermometer.
You can cook the top sirloin steak on high flames for about 1 or 2 minutes. Then, turn the flames down to medium for the remainder of the cooking process.
Make sure you watch out for indirect heat that comes from the juices dripping into the flame.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are harder to use when compared to gas grills. This is because you need to light charcoal and wait for it to reach the right temperature. Otherwise, oiling the grates and keeping them clean is similar to other grills.
To prepare a charcoal grill, make sure you remove any ash that’s collected at the bottom. It can create smoke and create erratic cooking temperatures. Also, avoid adding too much charcoal or the flame will be hard to control.
With charcoal grills, it’s also harder to cook the meat because it can have different temperatures. Start cooking the steak on the hottest section of the grill and then move it to the sides for the rest of the time.
We love a good charcoal grill because it’s great at combining medium-high heat. So, you can get a perfect medium steak. This also applies to other cuts like New York strip steak.
Electric Grills
Electric grills are more similar to gas grills than charcoal grills. With electric grills, though, the preparation process is simple. While you have to oil the grates, you don’t have to worry about propane or charcoal.
All you have to do is turn on the grill and let it preheat. On average, an electric grill takes about 8-12 minutes. These grills are also easy to clean and often have trays that catch juices and excess fat.
Overall, an electric grill is similar to a hot skillet.
Using a grill brush after cooking can also make the grill easier to prepare for the next use.
Cooking the Steak
Once all of the preparation is complete it’s time to cook the top sirloin steak. When cooking red meat you always want to make sure the internal temperature is where it needs to be. So, that’s often the best place to start.
We’ll also cover some other methods to help you determine when the steak is done.
How Long To Cook Top Sirloin Steak
The length of time it takes to cook a top sirloin steak varies based on its size and how you want it cooked. Typically, you can cook a medium-rare top sirloin steak in about 8 minutes. With a high heat grill, that’s 4 minutes on each side.
You should also consider the type of grill you’re using. Charcoal grills can take longer to reach high temperatures when compared to gas grills. Therefore, it can take longer to prep the grill and cook the steak.
Below are some of the common cooking times for 1-inch top sirloins steaks:
| Rare | Less than 8 minutes |
| Medium-Rare | 8-10 minutes |
| Medium-Well | 10-12 minutes |
| Well-Done | Over 15 minutes |
Having a big sirloin steak can also impact cooking times. A 2-inch top sirloin, for example, can take about 9 minutes on each side for a medium-rare steak. So, make sure you adjust cooking times to the size of your steak.
How to Tell It’s Done
There are a handful of ways to tell if a top sirloin steak is done. Depending on how you like your steak cooked, the definition of done can also vary. For example, rare and medium-rare steaks are not for everyone.
The safest way to determine if a steak is done is to measure the internal temperature. You can use a meat thermometer to get the reading but make sure the thermometer is designed for red meat.
Depending on how done you want your meat, your steak will reach a certain internal temperature. Below is a chart of these ranges.
| Rare | 125-130 degrees F |
| Medium Rare | 130-135 degrees F |
| Medium | 135-140 degrees F |
| Medium-Well | 140-150 degrees F |
| Well-Done | 155 degrees F or above |
However, you can also tell if a top sirloin steak is done in other ways. After letting the steak rest, you can cut into the meat and look at the color.
For medium-rare steaks, there should only be red in the middle but darker colors surrounding it. Medium steaks will have less red in the middle and well-done steaks look brown all of the way through. A steak that’s too rare will have bright red colors in the middle and feel cold to the touch.
Resting the Steak
There are some steaks that you can cut right on the grill or once you take it off the grill. This is not the case for top sirloin steaks. Top sirloin steaks need to rest before you cut into them.
We recommend letting a top sirloin steak rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting into it. Cutting into the steak sooner the juices won’t have time to settle in the meat. Unfortunately, the result is an inconsistent flavor.
You can also keep the steak warm while it rests. Covering the steak with a small saucepan lid will keep the steak warm while you wait. Additionally, if you can let it rest for longer periods (between 5-10 minutes), you’ll have the best results.
Final Thoughts
Top sirloin steaks are easy to cook and produce a robust flavor. While there are many ways to cook a top sirloin steak, there’s nothing like a juicy steak from the BBQ. You can also add herbed compound butter and other seasonings to further enhance the flavor of the steak.
Even regular melted butter without much salt can add flavor to the meat. It’s also commonly used in places like Brazilian steakhouses, so it’s an impressive cut of meat when cooked properly.
Some other top sirloin steak recipes include cooking it with lemon juice or adding brown sugar for added sweetness. If you want to get creative, we also recommend serving it with minced onions, soy sauce, or some potatoes. A little balsamic vinegar can also go a long Hopefully, one of our favorite cuts of steak can become yours too!