Ruth's Chris Steak House's 2-Second Trick For A Perfectly Seared Steak

Restaurants

Steakhouses

Ruth's Chris Steak House's 2-Second Trick For A Perfectly Seared Steak By David Stringer Oct. 20, 2025 9:00 am EST

When Ruth's Chris Steak House talks about the "two-second rule," it's not referring to the time you have to grab a bite of steak off the floor. It's the quick, no-tech way to check if your pan or grill is hot enough. All you have to do is hold your hand two to three inches above the surface, and if you can't keep it there longer than two seconds, you're ready to sear. This trick works for just about everyone, except that guy from TikTok who pulls fried chicken from piping hot oil with his bare hands. The temp you're looking for is around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the same temperature where the Maillard reaction kicks in, giving your meat tha