Ribeye steak is a flavorful, tender cut of beef known for its rich marbling, which gives it a juicy, buttery texture. It’s ideal for grilling, pan-searing, or broiling. Here’s a simple, delicious recipe to cook a ribeye steak:
Perfect Ribeye Steak Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 ribeye steaks (about 1-inch thick, or to your preferred thickness)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)
- Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional for basting)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the steaks:
Take the ribeye steaks out of the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before cooking. Let them come to room temperature for more even cooking. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Season the steaks:
Generously season both sides of the ribeye steaks with salt and pepper. If desired, you can also add garlic powder or a sprinkle of your favorite steak seasoning.
3. Preheat the pan or grill:
For pan-searing, preheat a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. For grilling, preheat the grill to high heat (about 450-500°F).
4. Cook the steaks:
- Pan-searing:
- Add olive oil (or butter) to the hot pan.
- Once the oil is shimmering (but not smoking), add the ribeye steaks to the pan.
- Cook the steaks for 4-5 minutes on the first side without moving them to get a good sear.
- Flip the steaks and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the second side, depending on how well you want the steak cooked:
- Rare: 120°F (about 2-3 minutes)
- Medium-rare: 130°F (about 3-4 minutes)
- Medium: 140°F (about 4-5 minutes)
- Medium-well: 150°F (about 5-6 minutes)
- Well-done: 160°F (about 6-7 minutes)
- Optional Basting: Add smashed garlic cloves and fresh herbs to the pan during the last minute of cooking. Then, add 1 tablespoon of butter and spoon it over the steak to enhance the flavor.
- Grilling:
- Place the steaks on the preheated grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust according to your preferred doneness.
- For grill marks, avoid moving the steak too much. Flip once during cooking.
5. Rest the steaks:
Once the steaks reach your desired doneness, remove them from the heat and let them rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the steak, ensuring a tender and flavorful result.
6. Serve:
Serve the ribeye steak as-is, or with a side of vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad. You can also drizzle with extra melted butter or a steak sauce of your choice.
Tips:
- Thickness matters: A thicker steak (1.5-2 inches) will allow you to cook it more evenly without overcooking the outside.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: If cooking multiple steaks, do so in batches to avoid steaming the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer: To get precise cooking temperatures and avoid under or overcooking.
This method will give you a perfectly seared, juicy ribeye steak that’s bursting with flavor!
