Cast Iron Ribeye Steak

This cast iron ribeye steak is a great quick and easy family dinner recipe. Tender, juicy beef with a gorgeous sear all made in less than 20 minutes on the stovetop!

 

Why we Love this recipe

• Easy Prep: minimal ingredients and equipment make this a fast recipe to prep! Plus minimal clean up is involved.
• Quick Cooking: this particular cut of meat cooks best hot and fast, meaning cook time is generally less than 10 minutes. 
• Tender & Juicy: thanks to the high temperature the meat has a nice golden crust from the pan sear and tender, juicy meat inside. 

Ingredients Needed

What is a Ribeye Steak 

The ribeye steak (also called rib steak) is a cut of beef from the upper rib section (from the rib roast), on a part that is lightly worked and has lots of fat marbling. It is a tender cut with an intense rich, beef flavoring. 

How do I choose a ribeye? 

• Bones: Due to the tender nature of this cut, it is not necessary to buy a bone-in ribeye. In fact, it’s more common you will find boneless rib eye steaks than bone-in. 
• Thickness: Aim for a thickness somewhere between 1 inch to 2 inches. 
• Fat: Ribeyes with a high level of marbling are going to be more tender and flavorful after cooking. 
• Dry Aged or Wagyu: you can absolutely use dry aged for this recipe, keeping in mind that the reduction in moisture for dry aged means the steak will cook quicker. The same with wagyu, if you are wanting to spend the money, cooking in a cast iron skillet is a great way to go!

How to Cook A Ribeye Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet

1. Season Meat: pat the meat nice and dry using a paper towel, then season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: combine room temperature butter with the garlic and herbs.
3. Preheat Skillet: to get a perfect sear the skillet needs to be HOT. We want to hear the meat sizzle when it hits the skillet. Be sure to heat the oil in the skillet while it’s preheating.
4. Sear Meat: gently place the steaks in the preheated skillet and let them cook about 3 minutes on each side to get a golden sear.

5. Add Butter, Herbs & Garlic: After searing we can add butter, herbs and garlic to help season the meat while it continues cooking. Spoon the melted butter over the top of the steak while cooking for extra flavor!
6. Cook To Temperature: cooking to temperature, ensures that you are getting properly cooked meat and that it’s done to your preference.
7. Rest: rest time is important, let the meat sit undisturbed on a cutting board for about 10 minutes before cutting, this allows time for residual cooking and for the juices to redistribute.

Pro Tips

• Prepare the meat: Pat the meat with some paper towels to dry it off before adding the seasoning, add the salt and let the meat sit for approximately 30 minutes before adding more seasoning and cooking.
• Heat: heat the cast iron skillet with oil on the stovetop for several minutes, when the meat is added it should sizzle, this is what is going to give a nice sear on the outside of the steak and give great flavoring. 
• Oils: Oil has a high smoke point, while butter doesn’t. Using only butter, will lead to burnt butter while cooking the steak and that flavoring will be transferred to the steak. Use an oil with a high smoke point, this prevents burning and smoking while cooking: extra virgin olive oil or avocado oils are a great option. 
• Rest Time: allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes on a cutting board covered with foil, out of the hot skillet. This allows time for residual cooking and lets the juices redistribute through the steak. 

Substitutions & Variations

• Oven Cooking: If you would prefer to finish the cooking this cast iron ribeye in the oven this is an easy switch. After searing the meat you can place it in the oven (skillet and all) to continue cooking until the internal temperature you are wanting is reached. 
• Herbs: switch out the rosemary with thyme, oregano or another herb of your choice. 
• Toppings: this recipe includes a garlic herb compound butter to serve on top for extra flavor. You can swap that for a mushroom cream sauce, or other sauce of choice if desired. 

FAQs

How long to cook a 1 inch ribeye steak

Doneness Level	Cook Time	Internal Temperature
Rare (cool center, red)	8-10 minutes	125 degrees F
Medium Rare (warm center, red)	10-13 minutes	135 degrees F
Medium(warm center, pink)	12-15 minutes	145 degrees F
Medium Well (warm center, slight pink)	14-16 minutes	150 degrees F
Well (warm center, little to no pink)	15-17 minutes	160 degrees F

It’s important to know that the internal temperature of the meat will rise a couple degrees after being removed from the heat, this is called residual cooking. So you will want to remove the steaks from the heat approximately 5 degrees before your desired level.

Storage Information 

• Storing raw steaks: steaks can be stored tightly wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can safely be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you are planning on longer storage it is best to vacuum seal.
• Leftover cooked steak: store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days. 
• Reheating: reheat leftovers in the oven at 250-300 degrees F. Wrap the steaks in foil and place directly on the racks in the oven, bake for 10-15 minutes or until warm. 

Steakhouse Sides

• Mashed Potatoes
• Wedge Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
• Creamed Corn
• Twice Baked Potatoes
• Southern Green Beans

Photography done by KJandCompany.co

First published December 19, 2016 recipe remains unchanged.