Ribeye steak is a delicious meal for occasions. When you are bored of normal food, Ribeye steak comes to the rescue. It is a great food option to surprise your friends and family. It is one of the most popular steaks available. Ribeye steak is among the best steaks to grill because of its excellent marbling.
In this article, you’ll read how to season a Ribeye Steak for grilling and why it is important to season a ribeye before grilling.
Ribeye steak can be ribbed or boneless but the boneless version is common. Quality plays important role in taste so you should always buy good quality Ribeye Steak. Buying ungraded or low-quality ribeye steak can lead to disappointment.
Why Seasoning is Important?
Seasoning plays a major role in enhancing the taste of every steak. Black pepper and salt seasoning make steak flavorful. Seasoning is important to bring out and intensify flavors in every bite.
Ingredients used for seasoning add a different flavor. Like, when you season ribeye steak with sea salt and thyme, you get a fantastic outer crust as thyme gets crispy.
Salt is important and works wonders on steaks. When salt is used in seasoning a ribeye steak and you allow it to rest before grilling or cooking then salt absorbs all the natural juices of the meat and creates brine which steaks soak. This makes ribeye steak juicy and natural brine helps in forming a sear. Thus seasoning is not just a process, it’s a science.
How to Season a Ribeye Steak for Grilling?
Just like all other steaks, Ribeye steak also needs seasoning. Whether you are making a baked ribeye steak, pan-seared or grilled, seasoning is necessary for flavorful meat.
Grab some salt as it helps in creating a brine that makes steak tender and flavorful. Other ingredients for seasoning depend on personal preferences. Some people like to add black pepper along with salt. Other than this you can use thyme, garlic, minced onion, tarragon, etc to season your ribeye steak.
One more thing to keep in mind while seasoning Ribeye Steak is that you should perform this task generously. Carefully sprinkle pepper and salt so your taste buds appreciate the meal. Add extra seasoning so that you get the flavor in every bite. While seasoning does not forget the edges and press the seasoning into the meat so it can stick to Ribeye steak.
When to Season Ribeye Steak?
Well, this is a debated topic and there is no specific answer to this question. You can season Ribeye steak at different times. You can season it just before grilling or putting it on an iron skillet. In this case, salt cannot create a brine and no steak juices will come out. However, you will get the salt flavor in Ribeye steak. The cooking process consumes less time so you can enjoy your meal quickly when you are short on time.
Another great time to season Ribeye steak is about half an hour before grilling or cooking. This is common practice as it results in juicy, tender, and flavorful meat. Ribeye is thick so salt takes some time to penetrate and create a brine. The process is time-consuming but pulls juices effectively. Cooking needs patience so we recommend following this for a perfect outcome. Season steak and keep it in foil at room temperature.
Do Different Cooking Methods Lead To Different Outcomes?
Seasoning the right way is important. Whether you are cooking or grilling steak, seasoning adds flavor. Cooking steak on a cast iron skillet can burn pepper giving it a bitter taste but people love how it is. This is again a matter of personal preference. Sear steak instead of burning and you will not face any issues.
Is Ribeye Steak Best for Grilling?
Ribeye steak is a flavorful and inexpensive steak. This is worth the price. Bone steak is good to go as bone adds flavor and thicker steak is tender and meatier. You can choose a prime or an aged steak. All is fine because the taste is highly dependent on the cooking method.
Also Read: What Temp to Pull Pork Shoulder off Smoker?
How to Cook Ribeye Steak?
Cooking Ribeye Steak on a grill is easy. Season steak with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt and generously season all sides. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it chill overnight or for at least 12 hours.
Use a hot grill to cook your steak. Flip occasionally and check the temperature (130-135 degrees F) using a thermometer. Allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes after grilling and then slice. This will help to seal in the natural juices. Slather some butter all over as it seeps inside the steak and make it mouth-watering.
Grilling Directions for Ribeye Steak – At a Glance
- Season and prepare Ribeye steak
- Pre-heat grill to 500-600 degrees F
- Place ribeye on the grill grates and flip after five minutes
- Continue grilling until done
- Remove Ribeye steaks when internal temperature reaches about 125 degrees F(medium rare) or 135(medium). Cooking time also depends on boneless or bone-in Ribeye steak
- Let Ribeye steak rest for 10 minutes in foil
- Now it’s ready to enjoy
What Are the Different Types of Thermometers That Can Be Used in Meat Cooking?
The market is flooded with varieties of cooking thermometers. Every home chef requires a reliable one so that food can be cooked perfectly. A thermometer can help you know the temperature while the meat is cooking. You need not take it out and check. Understanding the internal temperature prevents overcooking.
ThermoPro digital thermometer has a wire that connects the thermometer to a display box where you can see the temperature. A meat thermometer is a wireless and modern technology thermometer that connects to an app on a phone.
Tips to Grill a Perfect Steak
- Allow steak to come at room temperature. This helps in even cooking.
- Patting down the seasoning can make a big difference because the meat gets a crust on the grill
- Once the steak is prepared let it rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting
- Slice steak against the grain
- Check the temperature using a meat thermometer to get the desired result