Cast Iron Ribeye Steak

This is my foolproof method for cooking a perfect Cast Iron Ribeye Steak on the stovetop. If you want a restaurant quality cast iron skillet steak right at home, this is the recipe you need to try.

Cast Iron Ribeye Steak

This recipe for ribeye cooked in a cast iron pan is really one of our go to, easy dinners. We love using a ribeye because we can feed up to 4 people with one good sized ribeye. Cooking the ribeye steak in cast iron makes it so flavorful and delicious, get a nice seared outside bark while still cooking it to perfection on the inside.

You are going to love how simple it is to make a restaurant quality ribeye right in your own kitchen. Serve with a simple salad, some roasted potatoes, or a cooked vegetable for a complete meal.

Why Use Cast Iron

While using a cast iron pan to cook a ribeye steak might take you back to your grandma’s kitchen, it really is the best option for making a perfect steak at home.

Cast iron is known for its heat retaining abilities, like its superpower, that help cook foods evenly and make that perfect crispy crust on the outside of the steak. When seasoned correctly, cast iron has a lovely non-stick finish that makes cleaning up a breeze. Who doesn’t love that on a busy weeknight?

With so many reasons to love and use it, cast iron is my go-to pan for making perfect stovetop ribeye steaks.

Recommended Equipment

• 12 inch Cast Iron Skillet– this is the cast iron pan that I use in my kitchen. I really use it for everything from proteins to breads and even cookies!
• Fish Spatula– or another spatula, I love how wide and thin this spatula is, it makes getting under everything so easy.

How to Cook Ribeye in Cast Iron

We are ready to heat up that cast iron skillet and cook a perfect ribeye steak. Let’s walk through the steps with a few tips and tricks to get it perfect every time.

1. Prepare the Ribeye: about 30 minutes before cooking the steak, take it out of the refrigerator and allow it to come up to room temperature. This step helps the steak cook in a reasonable amount of time without the outside getting overcooked. Bringing it up to room temperature will help it come up to temperature on the inside quicker. This step isn’t mandatory, but a strong suggestion.

2. Season the Steak: for this steak recipe the only spices used to season the ribeyes is sea salt and ground black pepper. Season the steak liberally on all sides with sea salt and black pepper, pressing the seasoning into the steak as you go.
3. Heat the Cast Iron Pan: place the cast iron skillet over medium high heat and pour in the oil. When the pan is hot, the oil will easily slide around the bottom of the pan. If you notice a lot of smoking now or while cooking, your pan is probably too hot, so turn down the heat a little.

5. Cook the Ribeye Steak in Cast Iron: for a 1-inch ribeye that has been started at room temperature, cook for 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes.
6. Add Butter, Rosemary, Thyme, and Garlic: for the last few minutes of cooking, melt butter in the pan and add in some rosemary, thyme, and sliced garlic. Use a spoon to drizzle the steak with the butter from the pan.
7. Rest: remove the steak and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will help the steak redistribute the juices inside the steak so they all don’t just run out when sliced.

What Temperature for Ribeye

The best way to know if the ribeye is cooked to perfection is to use an instant read thermometer. This will tell the temperature of the thickest part of the steak in just seconds.

• Rare– 120-130º F
• Medium Rare– 130-135º F
• Medium– 135-145º F
• Medium Well– 145-155º F
• Well– 155º F

I suggest cooking the ribeye steak to 125ºF and allowing it to rest before slicing.

What to Serve with a Ribeye Steak

Ribeye is a simple weeknight dinner served with a cooked vegetable and a roll on the side, or make it for a special occasion, like Valentine’s dinner, and serve it with a baked potato, salad, and fruit crisp.

Other Cast Iron Recipes to Try

If you love cooking in cast iron, check out these other cast iron recipes.