A 350°F oven gives steak a slower, more even cook, which helps with thicker cuts that need time to reach the right internal temperature. If you want to know how long to bake steak in oven at 350, the short answer is 18 to 25 minutes for a 1-inch thick cut, depending on how done you like it. Thinner steaks cook faster. Thicker ones take longer and usually need a flip halfway through.
This guide breaks down exact times by thickness and doneness. You will also get simple steps, temps to check, and tips so your steak comes out tender instead of tough.
How Long To Bake Steak In Oven At 350
Baking at 350°F is a moderate heat. It is not as hot as a broiler, so the steak cooks slower. That slower cook is a good thing for thick cuts like ribeye, strip, or filet. The heat has time to move to the center without burning the outside.
Use this chart as your starting point. Times are for a steak brought to room temperature before baking.
- 1 inch thick: 18 to 22 minutes for medium rare
- 1.5 inches thick: 24 to 28 minutes for medium rare
- 2 inches thick: 30 to 36 minutes for medium rare
For medium, add about 4 to 6 minutes. For medium well, add 8 to 10 minutes. For well done, add 12 minutes or more. Always check with a meat thermometer instead of guessing by time alone.
Internal Temperature Targets For Steak
The oven time is only a guide. The real test is the internal temp. Pull the steak when it hits these numbers.
- Rare: 120 to 125°F
- Medium rare: 130 to 135°F
- Medium: 140 to 145°F
- Medium well: 150 to 155°F
- Well done: 160°F and up
Remember that steak keeps cooking after it leaves the oven. This is called carryover cooking. It can rise 5 to 10 degrees while resting. So pull your steak 5 degrees below your target.
Why 350°F Works For Thick Cuts
A thick steak at high heat can burn outside before the middle cooks. At 350°F, the outside browns slowly while the center heats evenly. This gives you a more consistent doneness from edge to center.
Thin steaks, like a half inch cut, can dry out at 350°F. For those, use a hot skillet instead. Or bake them for just 8 to 12 minutes and watch closely.
Step By Step: Baking Steak At 350 Degrees
Follow these steps for a reliable result every time.
- Take the steak out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook evenly.
- Pat it dry with paper towels. Wet meat steams instead of roasts.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper. Add garlic powder or herbs if you like.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Let it fully reach temp before you put the steak in.
- Place the steak on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This lets hot air move around it.
- Bake for the time listed for your thickness, flipping once at the halfway point.
- Check the internal temp about 5 minutes before the low end of your time range.
- Pull the steak when it is 5 degrees below your target temp.
- Let it rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Resting matters. It lets the juices settle back into the meat. If you cut too soon, the juice runs out and the steak tastes dry.
Pan Seared Then Oven Finished
Many cooks sear the steak in a hot skillet first, then move it to the oven. This gives a brown crust plus even cooking. If you do this, cut the oven time by about 5 minutes. The skillet already started the cooking process.
Use an oven safe skillet like cast iron. Sear 2 minutes per side, then bake at 350°F until the thermometer reads your target.
Factors That Change Baking Time
Not every steak cooks the same. Several things shift the time up or down.
Thickness Of The Cut
This is the biggest factor. A 1-inch steak and a 2-inch steak differ by 12 minutes or more. Always measure the thickest part of the meat.
Starting Temperature
A cold steak straight from the fridge needs extra time. A room temp steak cooks faster. Letting it sit out for 30 minutes makes a real difference.
Bone In Or Boneless
Bone in steaks like a tomahawk or T-bone take longer. The bone slows heat transfer to the center. Add 5 to 8 minutes for bone in cuts.
Oven Accuracy
Your oven dial may not match the real temp. An oven thermometer is a cheap tool that helps a lot. If your oven runs cold, add time. If it runs hot, reduce it.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Not preheating the oven fully. A cold oven throws off your timing.
- Skipping the rest. Resting keeps the steak juicy.
- Relying on time only. Use a thermometer for the best result.
- Overcrowding the pan. Give each steak space for air flow.
- Cutting into the steak to check doneness. This loses juice. Use a thermometer instead.
Best Steaks For Oven Baking At 350
Not all cuts work the same in the oven. These are the best picks for this method.
- Ribeye: great marbling, stays tender
- New York strip: firm texture, cooks even
- Filet mignon: lean and tender, watch the time
- Sirloin: leaner, best at medium rare
- T-bone: bone in, needs extra time
Tougher cuts like chuck or round need low and slow cooking, not a quick bake. Save those for braising.
Quick Recap
At 350°F, a 1-inch steak takes about 18 to 22 minutes for medium rare. A 1.5-inch steak takes 24 to 28 minutes. A 2-inch steak takes 30 to 36 minutes. Flip once halfway. Pull the steak 5 degrees below your target temp and rest it for 5 to 10 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer every time. It removes the guesswork and gives you the exact doneness you want. With these times and steps, baking steak in the oven at 350 becomes simple and repeatable.