To achieve a perfect medium-rare for a 2 cm supermarket beef steak, start by ensuring the meat is at room temperature and dry the surface thoroughly with paper towels. Heat your skillet over high heat until it is smoking hot, add a small amount of high-smoke-point oil, and fry the steak for exactly 2 minutes on the first side before flipping.
Cook the second side for about 1.5 to 2 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the steak to a warm plate and let it rest undisturbed for 5 minutes. This resting step is essential to reabsorb the juices and keep the meat moist.