To cook a great steak, start by choosing a good cut like ribeye, strip, or filet. Let the steak come to room temperatue for about 30 minutes so it cooks more evenly. Pat it dry with a paper towel, them season generously with salt and pepper on all sides. At this stage, you can also lightly coat it with oil to help with browning.
Heat a heavy skillet or grill over high heat until it's very hot. Place the steak down and let it sear the other side, adjusting the heat if it starts to smoke too much. For extra flavor, you can add butter, garlic, and herbs to the pan and spoon the melted butter over the steak as it finishes cooking.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Once it reaches your preferred temperature, transfer the steak to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for at least 5 - 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute through the steak. After it's done resting slice it open and enjoy.