Cast Iron Ribeye
Want a steakhouse experience without leaving your house? Learning how to cook a cast iron ribeye (or your favorite cut of steak!) is easier than you think. Plus, cast iron steak makes a delicious centerpiece for any meal. Makes 1 steak (with the option to add more.)
Check out my Spinach Madeline, Broiled Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan and Sauteed Greens if you need a side.
Who doesn’t love a home-cooked steak?
It’s always been a decadent thing for me, and I’m realizing the older that I get that I really enjoy making our own steaks.
While visiting a steakhouse is never a bad thing, we rarely do it, especially these days.
So we’ve been perfecting our steaks at home.
Now, I’ve already shared how to broil steaks in the oven, but I want to share a different cooking method since the summertime is upon us.
Why I love this recipe:
The ribeye is one of my favorite cuts of beef because of its flavor and the beautiful marbling you can find in many cuts of it.
This Cast Iron Ribeye recipe is perfect for anyone because all you need are a few simple ingredients and a stovetop. No grill or oven necessary.
I’m sharing all my tips and tricks below to make the perfect pan seared ribeye!
Other steak recipes you might enjoy, too: French Onion Steak Pasta | Steak and Sweet Pepper Salad | Steak Flatbread Pizza | Steak Bruschetta with French Onion Marmalade
Looking for a side dish that’s perfect alongside this steak? Check out my side dish recipe index for inspiration!
What you’ll need to make this recipe:
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- Cast iron pan or skillet
- Splatter screen
- Tongs
- Instant read meat thermometer
- A plate and aluminum foil
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you need:
- Your favorite cut of steak — we want this to be preferably 1 ½” thick so that we can get a good sear on the meat without it overcooking. You can use a bone-in ribeye, too, even though I used boneless ribeye steaks for this recipe shoot.
- Seasonings — I like to use a combination of kosher salt and black pepper whenever I make a pan seared steak, but you can certainly season it with a Steak Seasoning Blend, too.
- Ghee — we add this at the end for additional flavor. If you want your steak to be dairy free, feel free to use olive oil or avocado oil.
How to cook ribeye steak on stove in a cast iron skillet
Season the steaks
Pat your steak dry with a paper towel so there’s not extra moisture on it. This is essential so we can get a good crust on the exterior, but also to minimize the splatter.
Season with salt and pepper.
As a rule of thumb, I use 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of steak. Make sure to season all sides of the steak—not just the top and bottom of it. Crack some black pepper on top of the steak, too.
Pan sear the ribeye(s)
Before we get started…
The cooking time of your steak is dependent on how thick it is. The times I include in this recipe for a 1”-1½” steak. If yours is thicker, it’ll need more cooking time, and if it’s thinner, be prepared to cook them less.
Warm your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
When the pan is screaming hot, place the steak in the middle of the hot skillet dry. Please note that you are NOT adding the ghee yet because we want the crust a dry skillet will give us.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cooking more than one steak is an excellent idea, but please do not overcrowd your pan! If you do, you won’t get a good sear on the exterior.
Cook the steak for 5 minutes, and then flip it using a pair of tongs. Be careful because the skillet is hot, hot, hot!
Add a dollop of ghee on top of the steak, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until it’s within 10 degrees of your ideal internal temperature. You may use a spoon to drizzle this melted ghee on top of the steak as it cooks.
Take the steak’s temperature with an instant read meat thermometer to take its temperature. To do this, stick the thermometer’s tip into the middle of the steak, careful not to push through to the other side of the steak, and let it calculate the internal temperature. Don’t do this by eye — let technology help you!
Remove from the skillet, and transfer to a plate. Cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5-10 minutes. This is important to redistribute the juices of the steak. If you cut it too early, all the juices will run out!
After the steak has rested for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, place it on a cutting board and slice against the grain.
Serve with your favorite side dishes, and enjoy immediately!
A QUICK GUIDE TO
Steak Temperature
When you’re cooking steaks, you need to know the end temperature you’re aiming for so you cook it correctly. (Personally, I like my steak medium rare, but you do you!)
Pro tip: Your steak will continue cooking after it has been removed from the heat. Remove it from the heat when it is within 5-10 degrees of your ideal temperature.
Here are the temperatures:
Also, use an instant read meat thermometer* (affiliate link) to confirm the temperature.
Go in depth about the perfect temp and learn more at my Steak Temperature Guide!
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips and Tricks
Cast Iron Ribeyes are a go-to date night meal in our household.
Not only are they incredibly easy to make, but they look and feel “fancy.”
You could easily make these for a dinner party, too, though be aware a cast iron ribeye isn’t a make-ahead dish.
Here are a few tips and tricks for whipping up these seared steaks in no time flat:
- If you’re serving a crowd, use more than one cast iron skillet to be able to cook more at once. You don’t want to overcrowd your skillet, so be aware that you are going to have to do these in “batches,” but the batches will be faster if you have more than one skillet.
- Choose side dishes that can be made ahead of time. Our go-to sides for steak are green beans and mashed potatoes. If you’re hosting people (or having a date night at home), pre-make the side dishes so that the only thing that needs cooking are the steaks.
- Make a compound butter (like Homemade Cajun Butter or Garlic Herb Butter for Steak)… or use a slice of salted butter to dollop on top of the steak when it’s done, even though it’s perfectly delicious as is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone likes their steak cooked a little different depending on their personal tastes. (I used to request a Medium Well steak, but I’ll happily eat Medium Rare now.)
Whichever temperature you choose is A-OK, so long as you remember that your steak’s internal temperature will hit the desired temperature while it rests, not while it’s cooking. Remove it from the pan about 5-10°F before the desired temperature.
Use a digital meat thermometer to make your job easy. Poke the thermometer’s tip into the center of the steak. Be careful not to push it all the way through the other side.
Let the thermometer tell you what the temperature is, and then transfer the steak to a plate and cover if it’s within 5-10 degrees of your ideal temperature or pop it back into the pan for a little more time if you want it more cooked through.
Store the steak in a food safe storage container in the fridge if there is any left. I tend to pre-slice my steaks before serving them, so whenever I have leftovers, I let them come to room temperature instead of nuking them in the microwave.
If you have a whole steak leftover that hasn’t been sliced, leave it that way! You can give it a quick sear in a skillet with a little bit of butter or avocado oil to heat it up the next day.
Quick tips for cooking steak in a cast iron skillet
- Double or triple the recipe for a dinner party! Use a larger sheet pan, and cook all the steaks at the same time. Just be sure to take each steak’s temperature before removing them all from the pan.
- Let it rest! We want our steaks to be tender and juicy, and giving them a little time to cool off will make this possible.
- Store leftover steak in a food-safe container in the refrigerator.
- Let leftover sliced steak come to room temperature before eating. Heating it in the microwave will make it tough.
- Have a whole (unsliced) steak leftover? Store it whole, and sear it in a skillet the next day with a little butter or oil.
More sides to pair with this recipe:
No matter what cut of steak you’re cooking, there are some wonderful dishes that always pair beautifully with it.
Some of my favorites include Parmesan and Pine Nut Broccoli, classic Mashed Potatoes and Green Bean Bacon Bundles. These Cheddar Cheese-Stuffed Parker House Rolls would also make an excellent addition to any fancy dinner at home.
Now who’s ready to learn how to make this goodness?
Cast Iron Ribeye
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ribeye steak preferably 1 ½” thick
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Warm your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- While the skillet preheats, season your steak with salt and pepper.
- When the pan is screaming hot, place the steak in the middle of the hot skillet dry. DO NOT add the ghee yet.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then flip using a pair of tongs. Add a dollop of ghee to the top.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until it’s within 10 degrees of your ideal internal temperature because it will continue to cook when you remove it from the cast iron skillet.
- Remove from the skillet, and transfer to a plate. Cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5-10 minutes. This is important to redistribute the juices of the steak. If you cut it too early, all the juices will run out!
- When the steak has rested for the appropriate amount of time, slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Rare (cool red center: 125F
- Medium rare (warm red center): 135F
- Medium (warm pink center): 145F
- Medium well (light pink center): 150F
- Well done (cooked entirely through): 160F
Use a digital meat thermometer to make your job easy. Nobody likes guessing when it comes to steak, and guessing incorrectly could lead to overcooked meat, which is the saddest! To take your steak’s temperature, poke the thermometer’s tip into the center of the steak. Be careful not to push it all the way through the other side. Let the thermometer tell you what the temperature is, and then transfer the steak to a plate and cover if it’s within 5-10 degrees of your ideal temperature or pop it back into the skillet for a little more time if you want it more cooked through.
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
These steaks were better than in a restaurant – I cant believe we made them so good at home! Thank you so much for all the tips!