How to Cook Beef Top Round Steak in the Oven for Maximum Tenderness

Top round steak can be a delicious budget-friendly cut of beef when cooked properly. The lean nature of top round makes it prone to drying out, so special care must be taken when cooking it in the oven. With the right techniques, you can turn affordable top round into a fork-tender steak with great flavor.

In this guide, I’ll cover how to select the best steak, prep and season it, and use the oven to cook top round steak to juicy perfection every time. Let’s get cooking!

Top round steak comes from the round primal cut, which is the back leg of the cow. This is a very active muscle, so the meat is lean and rather tough. Top round has little marbling or fat running through it.

While it can be chewy if overcooked, top round becomes meltingly tender when braised slowly or prepared with care in the oven. The lack of fat also makes it a healthier red meat option.

When cooking top round steak in the oven, techniques like marinades, a hot sear, and proper resting time must be used to prevent it from drying out.

Tips for Selecting Top Round Steak

Keep these tips in mind when purchasing top round steak for oven cooking:

• Look for a vibrant red color without brown spots

• Choose steaks that are evenly sized with consistent thickness

• Opt for moderate marbling but avoid large chunks of fat.

• Feel for resilience when raw – the meat should bounce back a bit when pressed.

• Plan on around 1/2 pound per person since top round is so lean.

Selecting high-quality steak allows you to capitalize on top round’s naturally mild beefy flavor in the oven. Now let’s prep the meat.

Preparing Top Round Steak for the Oven

Proper prep is key for delicious oven results:

• Pat the steaks very dry before seasoning. Moisture hinders browning.

• Bring steaks to room temp before cooking, about 30 minutes.

• Generously season all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.

• Consider marinating for 2-3 hours to tenderize. Balsamic, soy sauce, wine all work well.

• Let marinated steaks sit out while oven preheats so they don’t go in cold.

With quality steak and proper prep, you’re ready to cook!

How to Cook Top Round Steak in the Oven

Follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place a sturdy baking sheet or oven-safe skillet inside to heat up.

2. Sear the Steak

In a hot pan on the stovetop, quickly sear seasoned steaks 2-3 minutes per side.

3. Transfer to Oven

Place seared steaks on the preheated pan. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes based on thickness.

4. Test Temperature

Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Pull at 135°F for medium-rare.

5. Rest and Slice

Let steak rest 5-10 minutes before slicing across the grain. Dig in!

Be sure to use a thermometer for perfectly cooked results every time. Now for more cooking tips and serving suggestions.

Handy Oven Cooking Tips

• Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness – no guessing!

• Let any marinade caramelize into the sear for tons of flavor.

• Flipping halfway through oven time ensures even cooking.

• Try roasted garlic, thyme, rosemary to layer oven flavors.

• Resting before slicing allows juices to redistribute so they don’t leak out.

Serving Your Oven-Baked Top Round Steak

Don’t miss these serving suggestions:

• Slice thinly against the grain – this produces the most tender pieces.

• Pair with roasted potatoes, a fresh salad, or sautéed veggies.

• Drizzle with chimichurri, garnish with sautéed mushrooms for a steakhouse feel.

• Turn leftovers into steak sandwiches on crusty bread with melted cheese.