Read our top tips to ensure your meal goes without a hitch

Bring It to Room Temperature – Take your steak out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly from edge to centre.

Keep the Seasoning Simple – A little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper is often all you need to let the natural flavour of the beef shine.

Start with a Hot BBQ -A properly heated BBQ gives your steak a rich, caramelised crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Rest Before Serving – Leave your steak to rest for around 5 minutes before slicing. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.

If you’re investing in one BBQ accessory this summer, make it a digital meat thermometer. It takes the guesswork out of cooking and helps you achieve perfect results every time.

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Mastering the BBQ Steak

Simple techniques for steakhouse results at home.

Few things say summer quite like the sound of a BBQ, good company and a perfectly cooked Scotch steak.
Whether you’re cooking for the family on a sunny afternoon or catching the most of a warm Scottish evening, steak has a way of turning an ordinary meal into something worth slowing down for.
The secret is that cooking a great steak doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right cut, a little confidence and a few simple techniques, you can achieve restaurant-quality results in your own garden.
At Cooper Butchers, we’ve been preparing premium Scotch Beef since 1982, and one of the questions we’re asked most often is, “What’s the best way to cook steak on the BBQ?”
The answer isn’t one secret trick. It’s about understanding your steak, cooking over the right heat and knowing when to leave it alone.
In this week’s Cooper Kitchen, we’re sharing the simple techniques we use ourselves—from choosing the right cut to resting your steak properly—so you can enjoy every BBQ with confidence.

Why Steak Loves the BBQ

There’s a reason steak and the BBQ are such a perfect match.
The intense heat of a BBQ creates a beautifully caramelised crust on the outside while keeping the centre tender and juicy. As the natural marbling begins to melt, it bastes the meat from within, creating the rich flavour that makes BBQ steak so special.
A BBQ is all about cooking with confidence over high heat. Done properly, it creates incredible colour, fantastic texture and outstanding flavour in just a few minutes. The secret isn’t rushing the process—it’s understanding how the heat works with the steak rather than against it.

Great results don’t happen by accident. Choosing the right cut, cooking over the correct heat and allowing your steak to rest afterwards all play an important part in achieving the perfect finish.

Fortunately, they’re all simple techniques that anyone can master.

🥩 Which Steak Will You Choose?

Every steak has its own character. Some are rich and juicy, others are lean and tender. The best choice simply depends on what you enjoy.

Here are six favourites you’ll always find at Cooper Butchers.

🥩 Sirloin

The All-Round Favourite

Tender, full of flavour and perfect for almost any BBQ.

🥄 Best with: Peppercorn Sauce

🥩 Ribeye

Rich & Juicy

Beautiful marbling gives Ribeye its incredible flavour and tenderness.

🥄 Best with: Garlic & Herb Butter

🥩 Popeseye (Rump)

A Scottish Favourite

Packed with rich beef flavour and excellent value, Popeseye is perfect if you enjoy a hearty steak with plenty of character.

🥄 Best with: Chimichurri

🥩 Fillet

The Tender One

Lean, delicate and incredibly tender—ideal when you want to treat yourself.

🥄 Best with: Red Wine Jus

🥩 Tomahawk

Made to Impress

Big, bold and packed with flavour. Perfect for sharing on special occasions.

🥄 Best with: Garlic Butter

🥩 Côte de Boeuf

The BBQ Showstopper

A beautifully marbled sharing steak that’s made for long summer evenings around the BBQ.

🥄 Best with: Café de Paris Butter

💡 BBQ Myth Buster

Does Steak Really Need to Rest?

Absolutely.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is cutting into their steak as soon as it comes off the BBQ.
Resting your steak for around 5 minutes allows the natural juices to settle back through the meat, making every bite more tender, juicy and full of flavour.
Larger cuts, such as a Tomahawk or Côte de Boeuf, will benefit from resting for a little longer before carving.

Great steak is worth waiting for.

⭐ Cooper’s Tip

Think of resting as the final stage of cooking. Those few extra minutes can make the difference between a good steak and a great one.

🍽️ Quick Recipe

Garlic & Herb Butter

The perfect finishing touch for any BBQ steak.

You’ll Need

100g softened butter
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp chopped chives
A few thyme leaves
A squeeze of lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper

Method

Mix everything together until smooth, roll into a log using baking parchment or cling film, then chill until firm.

When your steak has finished resting, place a slice of butter on top and let it melt naturally over the meat.

🔥 Fire Up the BBQ

A great steak isn’t about complicated recipes or expensive equipment.

Choose a cut you enjoy, cook it over a hot BBQ, season it simply and remember one important rule…

Great steak is worth waiting for.

At Cooper Butchers, we’ve been helping families enjoy premium Scotch Beef since 1982, and we’re always happy to help you choose the perfect steak for your next BBQ.

Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a weekend get-together or simply treating yourself, pop into our Motherwell or Bellshill shop and let us help you make your next BBQ your best one yet.