2007-10-20 12:41:13 · 8 answers · asked by zee_prime 6 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
No it doesn't.
Opinion is divided between those who know the correct scientific answer, which is that it doesn't seal in anything, and those who wrongly believe that it does seal in the juices. No cooking process 'seals' the juices in meat. The exterior surface of any piece of meat is always porous.
What searing a steak does is caramelise the juices on the outside of the steak, making it taste better and giving it a flavoursome crust. However, that same crust does not prevent the rest of the juices in the meat from escaping.
Think about it. If searing a steak really 'sealed' it, then the juices inside the steak would not be able to escape it, and as the meat got hotter and hotter they would rise to boiling point and eventually cause the steak to explode in the pan.
In practice, the juices are driven to the outside of the steak by the contraction of the muscle fibres, where they go on caramelising. The steak becomes drier and drier and eventually achieves that elusive but mysteriously prized condition, so beloved of people who don't like food, called 'well done'.
2007-10-20 13:14:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Searing a steak does not keep the juices in, in fact I have had some pretty dried out steak that has been seared. Searing a steak allow for the sugars to develop thus carmelizing the outside of the steak. The best way to get a juicy steak is to not overcook it and also let the meat rest on a plate after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat.
2007-10-20 20:40:29 · answer #2 · answered by Christopher K 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't seal in the juices, but searing meat at a high heat induces the Maillard reaction, which results in a much more intense meaty flavor.
2007-10-20 20:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by SL 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Searing meat does not seal in juices. It does however, taste wonderful!
2007-10-21 04:57:28 · answer #4 · answered by jonflatt 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like to cook my steaks over a very hot grill so they are rare on the inside and charred on the outside.
After the steak has finished cooking, let it set for a few minutes before cutting.
MMMM wish I had one right now!
2007-10-20 23:42:49 · answer #5 · answered by jfl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, searing doesnt actually sear in juices. Thats exactly what it was supposed to do, but in reality it doesnt. So, in an answer to your question, no, it doesn't.
2007-10-20 19:52:22 · answer #6 · answered by Bella 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sealing juices requires that you roast meat. Not pan fry or grill.
2007-10-20 19:58:05 · answer #7 · answered by Tarrimarie B 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Unfortunately, I believe that's on old wives tale. My vote is NO!
2007-10-20 23:40:51 · answer #8 · answered by Carl R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋