Better than the steakhouse, tender and juicy Ribeye Steak with a perfect seared crust is garlicky, buttery and packed with so much flavour. All it takes is a few simple ingredients and a cast-iron skillet or grill pan. It is surprisingly super quick and easy to make at home in under 30 minutes! Complete the meal with a side of Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables.
It can be intimidating to cook a big piece of steak, especially when good ribeye steaks cost so much! But I promise that you can enjoy the perfect ribeye steak at home, even if you're a total novice. Follow the simple step-by-step directions below and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. It's so easy and ensures you get the perfectly cooked steak every time. You'll be a pro in no time!
Why You'll Love This Ribeye Steak Recipe
- Adapt to any cut of steak. Once you know the secrets to cooking ribeye steak, you can apply the same technique to other cuts. It's a tried-and-true method you can stand by again and again.What You Need to Make Ribeye Steak
- Simple but effective. You don't need to use any special gadgets or fancy ingredients to make a good steak. This recipe uses the simplest of seasonings-salt and black pepper-to draw out the flavor and get a great crust. Then, you baste in garlic butter to lock in moisture and the ribeye's rich flavor. It's heaven every time!
- Ready quickly. The best thing about this ribeye recipe is how quickly it comes together. It's done from start to finish in just 30 short minutes. That's quick enough for a busy weeknight when you're starving as you walk through the door, but it's so flavorful that you'll want to make it for dinner parties or special occasions, too.
Ingredient Notes
You really don't need a whole lot to make a delicious and juicy steak. To make this delicious Ribeye Steak, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- ribeye steak - make sure to get good quality steaks about 1-inch thick and weighing ½ pound each.
- salt and pepper
- olive oil - for brushing the grill pan or cast-iron skillet.
- butter - for basting on the steak during the cooking process.
- garlic - for flavour.
And don't forget an indoor grill pan (if you are not using an outdoor grill) and tongs to flip the steaks over. You can also cook these steaks on a cast-iron skillet.
How to Make the Best Grilled Ribeye Steak
First, prepare the steaks by transferring them out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before you begin, and let them rest at room temperature. Then, pat the steaks dry and season with salt flakes and pepper.
Now it's time to grill. Brush olive oil over a grill pan or skillet and heat over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes. Place steaks on the grill and cook for 1 minute, then rotate it 90 degrees to create criss cross grill marks and cook for another minute.
Add butter and minced garlic and baste the steaks by repeatedly pouring the butter and garlic mixture over the steaks with a spoon. Cook until level of desired doneness is reached (see below), then let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What is the Difference Between Medium-Rare, Medium, and Well-Done Steak?
- For rare, cook until the internal temperature reaches 130-135 F. A rare steak will be charred and brown on the outside but completely red in the inside. The meat is very soft.
- For medium rare, cook until the internal temperature reaches 135 F. A medium rare steak is tender, soft, and moist with warm red center.
- For medium done, cook until the internal temperature reaches 140 F. has a hot center with almost no pink.
- For medium-well, cook until the internal temperature reaches 155 F. A medium-well steak is cooked fully through with no pink inside. It is more fleshy and resistant.
Recipe Variations
- Increase the quality. Since this steak is so simple, quality makes a big difference. Splurge on a nice dry aged ribeye or wagyu, and use high-quality butter, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh garlic.
- Use different cuts of meat. Use this recipe to cook your favorite steaks, like sirloin steak, New York strip steak, filet mignon, etc. This recipe also works just as well for bone-in or boneless ribeye steaks, but be sure to temp along the bone to gauge doneness.
- Try a compound butter. Compound butters are made by incorporating fresh herbs, garlic, lemon zest, and any of your favorite aromatic ingredients into fresh butter. Use garlic herb butter, roasted garlic butter, or your favorite compound butter for maximum flavor.
How to Serve
My favorite way to serve Ribeye Steak is with an assortment of complimentary side dishes including:
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream
- Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
- Baked Potato
- Sautéed Asparagus
- Balsamic Roasted Carrots
For more recipes, see our 40 Best Vegetable Sides.
Recipe Tips and Tricks for Making the Perfect Steak
- Season generously. The only need salt and pepper to season these steaks before grilling. For this recipe, you will need a full teaspoon of each.
- Make sure the grill or skillet is hot. To get the perfect sear on your steak, it is important that your pan is hot before you place the steaks inside.
- Baste the steak. Once you add your butter and garlic, make sure to baste the steak by repeatedly pouring the butter and garlic mixture over the steaks with a spoon. This adds to much more depth of flavour, adds a beautifully seared crust, and really enhances the taste and texture of the meat.
- How to check for doneness. Check for doneness by inserting a digital meat thermometer into the center of the meat to get a quick measurement. This tool is very useful when cooking meat for checking doneness.
- Let the steak rest. Once your steak is done, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Giving it a rest helps the flavours to develop even further.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store any leftover steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
The secret to reheating steak is to heat it gently. Ditch the microwave and warm the steak in a cast iron skillet or bake it in the oven at 250 F until it is warm all the way through.
How to Freeze
Cooked steak can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
FAQ
Preheat the pan over medium-high heat first, then sear the first side of the steak for about 2 minutes. Flip it, give the second side a good sear, and add your favorite butter and garlic. Baste the steak in the butter mixture, and let it cook until the inside of the steak reaches the proper internal temperature. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the steak. Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving however you'd like.
That really comes down to personal preference. There are lots of ways to cook ribeyes, and they each have their own unique pros and cons. Grilling is a great option and I love how it adds a smoky flavor, but you can also use an indoor grill pan or a regular cast iron pan. The most important part is to season the steaks well and sear them in a hot pan (or on a hot grill) to get a nice crust. Basting in butter adds lots of extra flavor, but don't be tempted to cut too early - steak needs a chance to rest to redistribute the juices.
For best results, I like to use a mix of both. Butter will brown and burn very quickly, so it is not a great candidate for searing. However, butter adds great flavor that brings out the richness of the steak. Start by searing the steak in oil, then add butter, garlic, and any other seasonings to baste the steak. It's the best of both worlds.
More Beef Steak Recipes
- Souvlaki Beef Shish Kebabs
- Korean Beef Steak Tacos
- Korean Beef Steak Rice Bowl
- Surf and Turf Steak and Lobster Tails
- Easy Summer Grilling Recipes
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Recipe
Ribeye Steak
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 ribeye steaks
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Better than the steakhouse, tender and juicy Ribeye Steak with a perfect seared crust is garlicky, buttery and packed with so much flavour. All it takes is a few simple ingredients and a cast-iron skillet or grill pan. It is surprisingly super quick and easy to make at home in under 30 minutes! Complete the meal with a side of Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye steaks (½ pound or 8 ounces each), 1-inch thick, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
Instructions
- Remove steaks from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This helps the steak cook more evenly.
- Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel, and then season all over with salt and pepper.
- Brush olive oil over a grill pan or skillet and heat over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes. The oil will shimmer and sizzle when it's hot and ready. Place the steaks on the grill and cook for 1 minute, then rotate it 90 degrees to create criss cross grill marks and cook for another 1 minute.
- Add butter and minced garlic in the grill pan and allow butter to melt. Baste the steaks by repeatedly pouring the melted butter and garlic mixture over the steaks with a spoon. Tilting your grill slightly will assist with basting. Do this for a few minutes.
- Flip the steak and repeat the step above. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 130-135F (for rare), 135 F (for medium rare), 140 F (for medium), or 155 F (for well-done). It should take approximately 10 minutes in total to cook the steaks.
- Remove the steaks from the grill pan and cover with aluminum foil to keep them moist. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes. Resting after cooking helps the juices redistribute into the meat as the internal temperature continues to rise a bit while resting.
- Serve the steaks with a side of mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Pour the remaining garlic butter from the grill pan over the steak.
Notes
How to check for doneness: Check for doneness by inserting a digital meat thermometer into the center of the meat to get a quick measurement. This tool is very useful when cooking meat for checking doneness.
How to store: Store any leftover steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to reheat: The secret to reheating steak is to heat it gently. Ditch the microwave and warm the steak in a cast iron skillet or bake it in the oven at 250 F until it is warm all the way through.
How to freeze: Cooked steak can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Wait Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
James McNulty says
The recipe is fine except that you omitted the rare option. My wife would reject all your streaks as cooked at the first cut revealing the dry brown interior.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks James. You are right, I have added the instructions for the rare option. Enjoy!