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Grilled Top Round Steak

Consider tough, chewy top round steak a thing of the past. This grilled top round recipe starts with a hearty dose of rosemary salt to tenderize the meat and infuse it with all that the woodsy aromatic herb offers. Then, the steak is seasoned, smoked at a low temperature, and seared at the end for excellent grill marks.
Servings 4
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 1 hour 6 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 9 hours 16 minutes

Equipment

  • Z Grills Smoker Grill
  • Z Grills Hickory Wood Pellets
  • Food processor
  • Probe Thermometer
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 1 (2-pound) top round steak
  • ¼ cup kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Rinse the steak, pat it dry, and transfer it to a rimmed baking sheet lined with a wire rack. A plate lined with paper towels is fine if you don't have a rimmed baking sheet and wire rack.
  • Add the salt to a food processor with the rosemary and lemon zest. Pulse until fragrant and well combined. This helps release the oils from the rosemary and lemon zest into the salt.
  • Liberally coat both sides of the top round with rosemary salt and refrigerate uncovered for 6-8 hours.
  • Remove the top round steak from the refrigerator, rinse under cool water to remove the salt brine, and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Combine the pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar in a small bowl.
  • Season both sides of the steak. Set the top round aside to come to room temperature.
  • Meanwhile, preheat your Z Grills with hickory pellets or other wood pellet grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Insert the probe of your thermometer into the center of the thickest portion of the meat, place it onto the grates, close the lid, and smoke for 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove the top round from the grill and set it aside.
  • Increase the grill temperature to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat with the lid closed.
  • Sear the steak for 3 minutes per side. Rotate the top round a quarter turn at the halfway mark for each side.
  • Remove from the grill, rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice against the grain, and serve.

Notes

If you can't see the grain clearly, cut a small slice from one end of the top round. Once cut, you'll be able to determine the direction of the grain.
Calories: 390kcal
Cost: 15
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Grilled, Steak