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What Is A Ribeye Steak? Everything You Need to Know

What Is A Ribeye Steak? 

Few cuts of beef inspire as much devotion as the ribeye steak. Renowned for its luxurious flavor, tender texture, and unparalleled juiciness, the ribeye is a favorite among steak lovers and a standout on menus from upscale steakhouses to backyard barbecues. Its rich marbling and buttery mouthfeel make it a cut that delivers an exceptional eating experience every time.

A ribeye steak is celebrated for its perfect balance of tenderness and bold flavor. With a higher fat content than leaner cuts like the New York strip or sirloin, the ribeye boasts a depth of flavor and a juicy texture that set it apart from other steaks. Perfect for grilling to reach a smoky char, seared in a cast iron skillet for a caramelized crust, or slow-cooked sous vide for precise doneness, the ribeye’s versatility ensures consistent and delicious results for every occasion.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything that makes the ribeye steak special. From understanding its unique characteristics and choosing the right variety to mastering the best cooking techniques, this article will help you enjoy the ribeye steak at its absolute best.

Where Does the Ribeye Come From?

Ribeye steak is a cut out meat taken from the cow’s beef rib. This primal cut is located along the cow’s ribs, with the ribeye typically taken from between the sixth and twelfth ribs. The rib primal is also home to other prized cuts, including USDA Prime rib roast, back ribs, rib bones, blade steaks, rib fingers, and short ribs.

Because the rib primal is part of the animal’s support structure and is not directly involved in movement, the meat is known for being tender yet full of streaky intramuscular fat. You’ll want to cook your ribeye enough to break down the marbling, essentially basting your steak in its own fatty juices. The resulting flavor is bold, beefy, buttery, and highly memorable.

Parts of a Ribeye

  1. Longissimus Dorsi (Eye of the Ribeye): This is the steak’s meaty center, known for its tender texture and rich marbling
  2. Spinalis Dorsi (Ribeye Cap): The crown jewel of the ribeye, this section is highly marbled and exceptionally flavorful.
  3. Complexus: A smaller muscle occasionally found near the eye, adding extra depth to the steak’s flavor profile.

Choosing a Ribeye

Almost all ribeye steaks will come ready to impress your taste buds, but the type of ribeye you choose will help determine how much marbling, flavor, and juicy meat ultimately ends up on your plate.

What are the Different Varieties?

Allen Brothers offers customers several types of ribeye steak, each delicious in its own right.

  • Bone-in Ribeye: Does ribeye steak have a bone? Sometimes! Our bone-in ribeyes come straight from our USDA Prime rib roasts and are wet aged to maximize their natural beefy flavor. Many bone-in ribeye aficionados prefer this cut because they believe you get extra flavor from the fat and muscle that attaches the meat to the bone as well as the marrow in the bone itself.
  • Boneless Ribeye: People love boneless ribeyes because they’re delicious, easy to cook, and offer all the characteristic marbling and taste of a ribeye. Boneless ribeye steaks may cook more evenly compared to their bone-in counterparts. This is because the bone acts as insulation, shielding the adjacent meat from the heat. It’s also easier to slice and serve, making it a versatile option for home cooks creating casual meals or hosting dinner parties. Despite lacking the bone, a boneless ribeye retains all the signature marbling and flavor of the cut.
  • Tomahawk Ribeye: A tomahawk ribeye is like a bone-in ribeye with the volume turned up. This dramatic cut is in fact a ribeye, but it comes with an extra-long bone that makes for a very memorable presentation. Tomahawk steaks also tend to be thicker and heavier, making them perfect for dinners involving two or more.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for a single ribeye that serves several people but find yourself concerned about meeting everyone’s preferences in terms of doneness, go for a bone-in ribeye. You can slice and serve the outer, more cooked portions of the steak to those who prefer their steak more well done and the meat next to the bone to anyone who likes their steak rarer.

Thickness

Ribeye cuts typically measure 1.25 to 2 inches thick. Bone-in cuts tend to be thicker, as their width is somewhat dictated by the natural width of the attached bone. Boneless ribeyes can be cut as thin as the butcher or customer likes, but thinner cuts require a deft hand in order to achieve a beautifully seared exterior and juicy, properly cooked interior.

Thick-cut ribeyes, like a hefty cowboy steak, might measure 2-3 inches thick. These can easily feed one or two people, while thicker cuts can be sliced and served alongside seafood, veggies, and starches to accommodate a full table of hungry diners interested in sampling a variety of dishes.

Serving Sizes

If you’re serving your ribeye alongside other proteins and a bevy of sides, it’s safe to estimate around 3 ounces of meat per serving. That’s perfect if you want to order a larger ribeye, grill it, then slice it tableside. But some people prefer their own steaks and can easily tuck away a 16 to 20-ounce ribeye all on their own.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution and get a larger steak. It’s better to have leftovers (perfect for steak and eggs, sandwiches, and tacos) than leave your guests wishing that they could have just one more bite.

Why Is Ribeye So Popular Among Steak Lovers?

The ribeye steak is a go-to for steak lovers because it offers the ideal combination of tenderness, flavor, and juiciness. Its signature marbling melts during cooking, infusing the meat with bold, buttery flavor. Compared to leaner cuts like sirloin or tenderloin, the ribeye delivers a richer, more indulgent experience that’s hard to match.

The ribeye’s versatility also plays a major role in its popularity. It performs exceptionally well with various cooking methods, making it accessible to both home cooks and professional chefs. Whether you’re preparing a juicy steak on the grill or perfecting a pan-seared ribeye in your kitchen, this cut consistently produces restaurant-quality results. For many, the ribeye is the epitome of the perfect steak, satisfying the cravings of steak lovers everywhere.

How to Tell If Your Ribeye Is High-Quality

Selecting a high-quality ribeye ensures an exceptional dining experience. Here’s what to look for:

  1. Marbling: Abundant marbling is key to a juicy, flavorful ribeye. The best cuts, like those from Allen Brothers, feature evenly distributed intramuscular fat that melts during cooking for unbeatable flavor. For the ultimate in marbling perfection, choose a Wagyu ribeye.
  2. Color: A vibrant red color indicates freshness and proper aging. Avoid cuts with dull or brown patches, as they may lack flavor and tenderness.
  3. Thickness: Thicker steaks, typically 1.25 inches or more, are ideal for achieving a beautifully seared exterior and a juicy interior. Cuts like cowboy or tomahawk ribeyes are especially appealing for special occasions.
  4. Certification and Grade: Allen Brothers’ USDA Prime ribeyes represent the top 3% of American beef, guaranteeing superior tenderness and flavor. Hand-cutting and precise aging further ensure that every steak meets the highest standards.
  5. Source: The source of your ribeye matters. Allen Brothers exclusively selects beef from top breeds, ensuring consistent quality in every cut.

How to Cook and Serve a Ribeye

Cooking a ribeye to perfection brings out its incredible juiciness and flavor. Here’s how to make the most of this premium cut:

Cooking Prep

Before you start cooking, it’s beneficial to bring your steak closer to room temperature. That means getting it out of the fridge and onto the counter about 20 to 30 minutes before it hits the heat.

You also want to remove as much moisture from the surface of the meat as possible to make way for a beautiful, golden-brown sear. The quickest way to do this is to use a paper towel to pat down the outside of the steak. If you have more time, salt your steaks and leave them in the fridge, uncovered, overnight. The salt will help draw out excess moisture so you can more efficiently dab it off.

Cooking Methods

  • Grilling: One of the most popular cooking methods used for ribeye steaks because the high heat helps thoroughly melt the marbling, crisping up some areas for a juicy, unctuous mouthfeel and unforgettable flavor.
  • Sous Vide: A modern cooking style that sees meat vacuum sealed in a special bag, then immersed in water that’s kept at a very specific temperature. This approach is almost guaranteed to result in a steak that’s at the perfect doneness (as determined by the water temp you dial in at the beginning), but you miss out on the crispy fat and sear you get when using direct-heat methods.
  • Pan Searing: This method works well when you don’t have access to a grill. Thicker cuts may need to be finished in the oven, but you can add flavor by topping steaks with a compound butter or fresh herbs while they cook through. Use a cast iron skillet to achieve a perfect golden crust.

How Long to Cook Your Ribeye

Our grilling guide can help you better understand the relationship between thaw times, meat thickness, and grill temp, all of which play a role in determining how long you need to cook your ribeye.

But here’s a general overview of cook times calculated according to the thickness of your Allen Brothers steak (always use a meat thermometer to gauge internal temperature for the best possible accuracy):

  • Rare: 125°F — about 3 to 4 minutes each side
  • Medium rare: 135°F — about 3.5 to 4.5 minutes each side
  • Medium: 145°F — about 4 to 4.5 minutes each side
  • Medium well: 150°F — about 5 to 5.5 minutes each side
  • Well: 160°F+ — about 5.5 to 6 minutes each side

Pro tip: If you usually love your filet and strip steak towards the rare side of the doneness scale, you may be surprised to find that you prefer your ribeye steaks a little more cooked. That’s because it takes more heat to melt the marbling inherent in a ribeye cut. Aim for medium-rare to medium and you’ll experience a transformation as the chewy fat melts and creates a succulent, juicy main course.

Resting and Serving

After your ribeye is cooked to perfection, it needs to rest. This rest period, during which the steak should sit undisturbed, the meat will slowly drop its temperature. This allows the bubbling juices inside to calm down, so they remain inside the meat rather than rushing out onto the cutting board.

The rule of thumb is to rest your meat for approximately half its total cooking time. That’s 5 minutes of rest for a 10-minute cook, 3 minutes for a six-minute cook, and so on.

FAQs

Is ribeye tough or tender?

Ribeye is known for its tenderness. Its abundant marbling and lack of tough connective tissue create a soft, buttery texture that makes it easy to cut and enjoy.

Why is ribeye so tasty?

Ribeye is packed with flavor thanks to its rich marbling, which melts during cooking and bastes the meat. This process enhances the steak’s bold, beefy taste and creates a juicy, satisfying bite.

What is another name for a ribeye steak?

Ribeye steak may be marketed as bone-in ribeye or boneless ribeye, but it’s also sometimes called a spencer cut, beauty steak, Scotch fillet, or a Delmonico steak.

Prime rib vs. ribeye: What is the difference between these two cuts?

Ribeye steaks are pieces of meat that are cut from the larger rib primal, then cooked and served. Prime rib is a larger, multi-person cut that’s roasted first, then cut after it’s cooked and rested and served similar to roast beef.

Porterhouse vs. ribeye: What is the difference between these two cuts?

Ribeye steaks are cuts of steak taken from the rib primal of a cow while the porterhouse is sort of a combination steak that includes portions of the tenderloin and top loin (aka pieces of filet mignon and strip steak separated by a hearty bone).

Allen Brothers: High-Quality Ribeye Steaks Delivered Right to Your Door

The ribeye steak is a classic for a reason—it offers unmatched flavor, tenderness, and versatility. Whether you prefer a bone-in cut for extra flavor or a boneless ribeye steak for easy cooking, Allen Brothers ensures you’ll enjoy a steak of the highest quality. Ready to show off everything you know about delicious ribeye steaks? Shop Allen Brothers beef for artisanal, hand-cut steaks aged to perfection and ready for your grill, pan, or sous vide machine.

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