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This Reverse Sear Ribeye Steak recipe is so flavorful and juicy, you’ll feel like you’re eating a fancy steakhouse dinner at a fraction of the cost!
Learn how to grill the perfect reverse sear steak with this easy pan-seared steak cooking method. Cooking steak in a cast iron skillet and oven creates the perfect sear with a perfectly cooked middle.
We promise this will be your new favorite ribeye steak recipe!

Best Ribeye Steak Recipe
It’s no question that we love steak. We have tried everything from Grilled Chuck Steak, to Sirloin Cap Steak, to Juicy Garlic Butter Steak Bites and even Pepper Steak Stir Fry.
There are so many ways to cook a steak, but by far our favorite method is reverse searing. Reverse searing steak does wonders! You will not believe how easy it is and what a difference it makes in every steak you cook.
This is the best ribeye steak recipe because it cooks in the oven first, and then in a pan for the perfect sear on the outside with a beautiful medium-rare center. You will have the perfect steak every time using this method!

What is reverse searing?
Reverse searing is when you first cook your steak in the oven, and then sear the steak over high heat over the stove.
The reverse searing in oven process is the opposite of traditional pan-searing, where you would sear the steaks first and then complete the cooking.
By cooking a reverse sear oven steak, it is much easier to reach your desired degree of doneness. This means a perfectly cooked steak with a beautiful sear, every time!
Reverse-Seared Ribeye Ingredients
- 1 thick-cut ribeye steak (about 1 ½ to 2 inches thick)
- 1 tablespoon Santa Maria seasoning*
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Fresh rosemary (optional)
What is Santa Maria seasoning?
Santa Maria seasoning is a simple steak seasoning using a mixture of salt, pepper, granulated honey or sugar, granulated garlic, and onion powder. You can find it in our Picanha steak recipe linked above. We think it is the best steak seasoning, especially for this reverse sear ribeye.
If you opt not to use Santa Maria seasoning, use your favorite steak seasoning or go with a simple blend of salt and pepper.
How to Reverse Sear a Steak
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Place a wire cooling rack onto a baking sheet, then place 1 ribeye steak onto the wire rack. Season both sides of the ribeye steak with 1 tablespoon Santa Maria seasoning.
- Add the steak to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 90°F. Along with the steak, place your cast-iron skillet in the oven to allow it to heat as the steak cooks.
- Once the steak reaches 90°F, remove it from the oven. Carefully remove the cast-iron skillet with oven mitts and place onto a burner on the stove.
- Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to the cast iron skillet and heat over high heat until it begins to smoke.
Once smoking, carefully add the ribeye steak to the skillet and sear for 2 minutes on one side. Flip, and sear for another 1-2 minutes on the opposite side or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F or your desired level of doneness (see chart below). - Carefully remove the reverse sear ribeye from the skillet and let it rest on a plate for 10 minutes. Top with 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and allow it to melt. If using, top with fresh rosemary.
This is it: how to cook the perfect steak. You are going to love this cast-iron ribeye recipe. It is one of the best ribeye steak recipes ever, with a beautiful golden crust and so much flavor!
Steak Temperature Chart
To find your desired degree of doneness for cooking steak, refer to this steak temperature chart. We prefer medium-rare for all of our steaks, which is 135°F.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium well: 150°F
- Well done: 160°F
Best Beef Recipes Tips
- To ensure the perfect temperature every time, use a meat thermometer. It will make your life so much easier, trust us!
- Instead of using unsalted butter, you can try a Garlic Butter Recipe. We use it in our steak bites, and it is truly incredible.
- Check out this guide on Cast Iron Care for tips on maintaining your cast iron skillet and for more delicious cast iron skillet recipes like this reverse sear ribeye!
- Always let your steak rest after cooking. This helps seal in all of the flavor, so don’t slice it too early!
- Cut against the grain when cutting steak. The grain looks like little lines running through the steak itself, so cut in the opposite direction to those lines. This will give you the best bite every time.
What to Serve with Steak
- Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes
- Green Bean Almondine
- Grilled Potatoes
- Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
- Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
And, of course, don’t forget the drinks to go with your steak and steak side dishes! Try these simple mixed drinks. They can be made non-alcoholic, too!
Moscato Sangria is a perfect choice, too!
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Did you enjoy this page? Save it on Pinterest for later!Reverse Sear Ribeye Steak Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 thick-cut ribeye steak about 1½ to 2 inches thick
- 1 tablespoon Santa Maria seasoning*
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Fresh rosemary optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.Place a wire cooling rack onto a baking sheet, then place 1 ribeye steak onto the wire rack. Season both sides of the ribeye steak with 1 tablespoon Santa Maria seasoning.
- Add the steak to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 90°F. Along with the steak, place your cast-iron skillet in the oven to allow it to heat as the steak cooks.Once the steak reaches 90°F, remove it from the oven. Carefully remove the cast-iron skillet with oven mitts and place onto a burner on the stove.Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to the cast iron skillet and heat over high heat until it begins to smoke. Once smoking, carefully add the ribeye steak to the skillet and sear for 2 minutes on one side. Flip, and sear for another 1-2 minutes on the opposite side or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F or your desired level of doneness (see chart below).
- Carefully remove the reverse sear ribeye from the skillet and let it rest on a plate for 10 minutes. Top with 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and allow it to melt. If using, top with fresh rosemary.
Notes
Steak Temperature Chart
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium well: 150°F
- Well done: 160°F
Best Beef Recipes Tips
- To ensure the perfect temperature every time, use a meat thermometer.
- Always let your steak rest after cooking. This helps seal in all of the flavor, so don’t slice it too early!
- Cut against the grain when cutting steak. The grain looks like little lines running through the steak itself, so cut in the opposite direction to those lines. This will give you the best bite every time.
Nutrition
Photo credit: Jennifer Shreckengost
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