By Bill Ohaire | Published: April 2026 | Last Updated: April 2026

Perfectly seared beef steak on a hot BBQ grill

Photo by Mohamed Olwy on Pexels

Quick Answer

2cm Steak: Grill at 230-260°C (450-500°F) for 3-3.5 min/side per side (medium).

2cm Steak Cook Times

A standard thickness for supermarket steaks. Hot and fast is the way. Don't flip more than once.

DonenessTime Per Side
Rare2-2.5 min/side
Medium-Rare2.5-3 min/side
Medium3-3.5 min/side
Medium-Well3.5-4 min/side
Well Done4-5 min/side

Grill temperature: 230-260°C (450-500°F)

Why Thickness Matters More Than Weight

Thickness is the single most important factor in determining cook time on the BBQ. A flat 300g steak that's 1cm thick cooks in 4 minutes total. A 300g steak that's 4cm thick needs 12+ minutes. Same weight, completely different cook times.

Heat travels from the surface inward. The thicker the cut, the longer it takes for the centre to reach your target temperature. This is why a meat thermometer is essential — time is just a guide.

Tips for 2cm Steak

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook a 2cm steak?

A 2cm thick steak takes approximately 2-2.5 min/side per side for rare at 230-260°C (450-500°F). Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

What temperature should I grill a 2cm steak?

Grill a 2cm steak at 230-260°C (450-500°F). A standard thickness for supermarket steaks.

Does thickness affect cook time more than weight?

Yes. Thickness is the primary factor in determining cook time on the BBQ. Heat travels from the surface inward, so a thicker cut takes proportionally longer to cook through regardless of its total weight.

Should I use direct or indirect heat for 2cm steak?

At 2cm thickness, direct heat is fine. The cut is thin enough to cook through before the outside burns.

Related BBQ Guides

Sources & References

1
How to BBQ Right (YouTube)
Malcom Reed's championship-winning BBQ techniques and tutorials.
Video
2
Mad Scientist BBQ (YouTube)
Jeremy Yoder's detailed BBQ experiments and science-based cooking methods.
Video
3
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Official Australian food safety guidelines and safe cooking temperatures.
Government
4
America's Test Kitchen (YouTube)
Rigorously tested steak cooking methods with scientific precision.
Video