Ribeye steak is prized by steak connoisseurs for its exceptionally flavorful, beautifully marbled, and tender meat. When cooked properly, a ribeye steak can offer one of the most delicious and satisfying steak experiences. But what is the best way to cook a ribeye? (The key is using 1 inch rib eye! – we’ll get to that in the later part of the article).

For the very best results when cooking ribeye steak, experts recommend using a thickness of at least one inch. This allows you to develop a nice seared crust on the outside while keeping the inside pink and juicy.

Follow this comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know about selecting, preparing, cooking, and serving the perfect one-inch-thick ribeye steak just the way you like it.

How to Choose the Best Quality Ribeye for Steak

Choosing the right quality of 1 inch rib eye is one of the most important steps for steak success. Here is what to look for when selecting ribeye steaks:

• USDA Grade – The highest grades are Prime and Choice. Prime ribeye has abundant marbling and supreme tenderness. Choice is also excellent quality with good marbling. Select has less fat while still being flavorful. Avoid ungraded beef if possible.
• Marbling – This refers to the white streaks of fat interspersed throughout the red meat. More marbling means more moisture, flavor, and tenderness. Look for heavy marbling throughout the ribeye for the best results.
• Color – Quality ribeye should be a deep, vibrant red. Dull or brownish hues indicate lower quality or mishandling. Proper aging also enhances color.
• Thickness – For cooking ribeye steaks, go for a minimum of one-inch thickness, though 1.5 inches is ideal. This allows you to sear the outside over high heat while keeping the inside medium rare.
• Dry Aging – Some high-end steakhouses serve dry-aged beef, which concentrates flavor over weeks or months. If you see dry-aged ribeye available, get it for an incredible steak experience.

When selecting your ribeye steak, look for Prime or Choice grade with generous marbling, vibrant color, and at least one-inch thickness. This will allow you to bring out the very best in the ribeye through proper cooking.

Preparing 1 Inch Rib Eye Steaks for Cooking

Before you even start cooking, there are a few simple steps to take to prepare your ribeye steaks:

• Remove from fridge – Take steaks out of the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes up to 1 hour before cooking. This reduces the amount of time it takes to cook them.
• Pat dry – Use paper towels to pat your steaks completely dry right before cooking. This helps ensure you get a proper sear.
• Season – Season your steaks lightly with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Resist over-seasoning and let the flavorful ribeye shine.
• Come to temp – Allow steaks to fully come to room temp before hitting the heat. This maybe 50-60 ̊F internally before cooking.

With proper prep, your 1 inch rib eye steaks will be ready for an incredible cook!

Grilling for Perfect Ribeye Steak

Grilling over direct high heat is the best way to cook a ribeye steak. Wondering how long to grill ribeye steak? Here are some tips:

• Get your grill as hot as possible. Use all burners on high for a charcoal or gas grill.
• Grill over direct heat to quickly develop a nice charred crust on the ribeyes.
• Consider using hardwood chips or chunks such as hickory or oak to infuse a smoky flavor.
• Flip steaks every 2-3 minutes to get grill marks on both sides. Be careful not to overcook.
• For thicker ribeyes, move to indirect heat or turn down the heat if they are cooking too fast.
• Allow at least 5-10 minutes of resting time before cutting into the grilled ribeye steaks.

There’s nothing quite like the flavor of ribeye steak cooked over a hot grill. Just take care not to overcook these pricey cuts of grilled rib eye steak.

Pan-Searing Ribeye for Quick, Flavorful Results

Pan searing is a quick and easy yet the best way to cook ribeye steak while developing an incredible crust:

• Use a very hot, heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel. Add just enough oil to coat the bottom.
• Place ribeyes in the pan and let sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until a nice crust forms.
• Flip and repeat on the other side. Add butter and aromatics near the end for extra flavor.
• For rare or medium rare ribeye doneness, finish steaks in a hot oven for a few minutes.
• Rest steaks for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

With its speed and flavor development, pan searing is hard to beat for cooking ribeyes perfectly.

Oven Roasting Ribeye for Hands-Off Cooking

For evenly cooked ribeye with minimal effort, try oven-roasting! Do you know how to cook a ribeye in the oven? Here’s how:

• Pre-heat your oven to 275 ̊F. Pat steaks dry and season as desired.
• Place ribeyes on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Elevating on a rack promotes air flow.
• Roast in oven, flipping halfway through, until steaks reach 5-10 ̊F below desired doneness.
• Finish with a quick sear in a hot pan or under the broiler for a flavorful crust.
• As always, let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Oven roasting gives you perfect doneness control when cooking ribeye steaks.

Doneness Guide for Ribeye Steak

Ribeye steak should never be cooked beyond a medium for the best results. Use these guidelines if you are wondering how to cook a ribeye steak. Follow these for your desired doneness:

• Rare – Cook to 120-125 ̊F internally. For a 1-inch ribeye, sear for 2-4 mins per side over high heat. The center will still be bright red and cool.
• Medium Rare – The ideal doneness for ribeye. Cook to 130-135 ̊F, about 4-6 mins per side over high heat for a juicy pink center.
• Medium – Cook to 140-145 ̊F, 6-8 mins per side. The center will be light pink with just a hint of redness.
• Medium Well – Cook to 150-155 ̊F, about 8-10 mins per side. The center will be light pink but have no redness.
• Well Done – Cook to over 160 ̊F internal temp. Cooking this long dries out the ribeye.

Use an instant read thermometer to monitor doneness when cooking ribeye steaks. Remove from heat just below the final target temp.

Letting Ribeyes Rest for Juicy, Tender Results

Resting is one of the most crucial steps after cooking ribeye steak. Here’s how to do it properly:

• After removing steaks from heat, resist cutting into the meat for at least 5 minutes, up to 10 minutes for very thick steaks.
• Loosely tent ribeyes with aluminum foil to keep warm and allow carryover cooking to finish.
• Resting gives juices time to redistribute throughout the meat instead of spilling out when cut.
• Skipping this step means losing all those flavorful juices you worked hard to seal in!

Allowing ribeyes adequate resting time is essential for optimally juicy, tender steak that is cooked medium rare.

Top Tips for Grilling the Perfect Ribeye Steak

You know how to cook a ribeye steak on the grill, right? Grilling over direct high heat is one of the best cooking methods for achieving ribeye perfection. Follow these tips:

• Pat steaks very dry before grilling for optimal sear and charring on the outside crust.
• Create grill marks by flipping steaks every 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
• Add hardwood chips to your coals or smoker box to infuse a smoky flavor while grilling.
• Move ribeyes to indirect heat or turn down the grill if they are cooking too fast over direct high heat.
• Let steaks rest at least 5-10 mins before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Grilling ribeyes over hot coals or gas heat is the quintessential way to get flavorful, juicy steaks with great char.

Serving Suggestions for Perfectly Cooked Ribeye

You put care into cooking that ribeye just right. Make sure you serve it properly:

• Steakhouse style with buttered asparagus and baked potato
• On top of lightly dressed salad greens for an elegant presentation
• In fajitas or tacos with sautéed peppers and onions
• Sliced thin and piled high on a hoagie roll for French dip sandwiches
• Diced up to top a bowl of rice or greens for a protein-packed meal

Get creative with sides, sauces, and seasonings to make that perfectly cooked ribeye really stand out on the plate. It deserves a proper presentation after the effort put into preparing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about cooking 1 inch thick ribeye steaks:

What is the best thickness for ribeye steaks?

Experts recommend 1 inch as the ideal minimum thickness for ribeye steaks. This allows you to develop a nice sear on the outside while achieving perfect medium rare doneness inside.

What is the best way to cook a 1 inch thick ribeye?

The best cooking methods for 1 inch ribeyes are grilling, pan searing, broiling or oven roasting. These high heat quick cooking techniques allow you to sear the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

How long do you cook a 1 inch ribeye on the grill?

Cook times will vary based on desired doneness. For medium rare, grill a 1 inch ribeye for about 4-6 minutes per side over high heat, using a meat thermometer to check for 130-135°F.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about cooking 1 inch thick ribeye steaks:

What is the best thickness for ribeye steaks?

Experts recommend 1 inch as the ideal minimum thickness for ribeye steaks. This allows you to develop a nice sear on the outside while achieving perfect medium rare doneness inside.

What is the best way to cook a 1 inch thick ribeye?

The best cooking methods for 1 inch ribeyes are grilling, pan searing, broiling or oven roasting. These high heat quick cooking techniques allow you to sear the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

How long do you cook a 1 inch ribeye on the grill?

Cook times will vary based on desired doneness. For medium rare, grill a 1 inch ribeye for about 4-6 minutes per side over high heat, using a meat thermometer to check for 130-135°F.

Conclusion

Cooking the perfect 1 inch rib eye steak requires selecting high-quality well-marbled beef, proper seasoning, and cooking preparation, quick searing over very high heat, and allowing time to rest before slicing into the juicy meat.

While rib steak recipes can be prepared in a variety of ways, grilling, pan searing or oven roasting are prime methods for achieving ideal doneness with a flavorful crust.

Master these techniques and you will be rewarded with exceptionally tender, delicious ribeye steak cooked to juicy medium rare perfection.