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This is the ultimate guide on how to Smoke a Steak that is packed with flavor and so easy to make. This guide is perfect even for total beginners to smoking beef! Complete with an amazing homemade steak seasoning and fresh thyme, and ready in under 2 hours, this simple smoked steak recipe is a must-try for beef lovers.
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Smoked Steak Guide
I am all about smoked beef recipes lately. My family and I just can't get enough of them! After trying everything from smoked beef ribs to prime rib, I knew I had to make an out-of-this-world smoked steak recipe.
This easy tomahawk steak cut is exactly that. Smoking tomahawk steak, seasoned with homemade steak seasoning and fresh thyme, makes the beef so tender and oh-so flavorful. After smoking, the steak is reverse-seared for ultimate flavor.
Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. I know you're going to love smoked tomahawk steak as much as I do!
I love the reverse sear method on a steak and my reverse sear ribeye steak is out of this world! If you are looking for a quick, easy, and delicious recipe, this is the way to go.
It was my first time smoking a tomahawk steak. This recipe was easy to follow and just perfect.
Joe on Pinterest
Smoking a Steak Ingredients
- Tomahawk Steak
- Fresh Thyme
- Butter
- Coarse Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Granulated Garlic or Garlic Powder
- Paprika
How to Smoke a Steak
Smoking is the best way to cook tomahawk steak, and it is easy. Follow these simple instructions to smoke tomahawk steak.
- Season room-temperature tomahawk steak all over.
- Place on the smoker for 1 hour and 20 minutes for an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Reverse sear tomahawk steak in a buttered cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Allow the steak to rest, then slice and serve.
The meat is so tender and flavorful. We will be smoking these beauties again.
Deborah on Pinterest
Smoking Tomahawk Steak Tips
- Let your steaks come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. The longer they cook, the more chance for them to dry out. Letting them come to room temperate will give them a head start and guarantee a juicy steak.
- Choose thick steaks, at least 1.5 inches thick. This will guarantee the juiciest tomahawk steak.
- Look for well-marbled steaks. They will have streaks of white running through them. Trust me on this, the little streaks of fat will guarantee an amazing eating experience!
- Don't choose steaks with too much fat. Marbling is great, but you don't want pockets of fat, especially around the edges. Pick steaks that are well-trimmed and without large pockets of fat.
- Season the steak twice. I always season my beef before cooking and lightly season again right when it is pulled out of the smoker. This will guarantee the perfect flavor.
- Allow your steaks to sit for 15 minutes and rest before slicing.
- The Tomahawk is the ultimate showpiece, and is sure to impress your guests. Always slice it against the grain. I like to slice it tableside and serve my guests immediately!
- I used mesquite pellets for this recipe, but any pellet would do just fine.
- If your steak is a different weight, simply check the internal temperature instead of going off of time, since the cooking time will change with the weight change. The internal temp is the deciding factor, no matter the size of the steak.
- See my guides on Tenderizing Steak and Salting Steak for the most tender steak no matter what cut you're working with!
- Try my guides on How to Cook Steak in a Pan, How to Cook Steak in the Oven, and How to Grill Steak next!
Tomahawk Steak Temperature
Check the steak of your beef using a meat thermometer and follow our Steak Temperature Chart for best results.
Smoked Steak FAQs
Tomahawk steak is a ribeye beef steak with at least five inches of rib bone left intact. Other names for tomahawk steak include tomahawk chop, bone-in ribeye, bone-in rib steak, cote du boeuf, and occasionally, cowboy steak, if it has a shorter frenched bone.
Tomahawk steak has a high percentage of marbling and as a result is richly flavorful and buttery tender. One steak easily feeds two people, making it a perfect choice for a special dinner for two. Tomahawk steak is considered one of the best steak cuts.
The flavor of tomahawk and ribeye is nearly the same, but tomahawk steak is often juicier because of its inclusion of the rib bone.
Recommended Tools for Smoking Beef
- Meat thermometer: A meat thermometer allows you to easily check the temperature of any cut of beef. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat close to the center, through the side. If you don't already own a meat thermometer, you should!
- Cast iron skillet: Cast iron skillets are the best for reverse-searing beef. You will get a perfect, even sear every time.
- Pellet smokers like this Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker are perfect for smoked beef recipes.
What to Serve with Tomahawk Steak
- Garlic Butter Sauce for Steak
- Caramelized Onions for Steak
- Mushrooms for Steak
- Air Fried Asparagus
- Chimichurri Sauce for Steak
See What to Serve with Steak for side dish ideas, and see my guide to Steak Cuts for info on every cut of steak!
Smoked Beef Recipes
- Smoked Beef Roast
- Smoked Prime Rib
- Smoked Short Ribs
- See all of our Best Smoked Beef Recipes!
📋 Recipe
How to Smoke a Steak
Equipment
- Pellet smoker
- Cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 2.5 Pound Tomahawk Steak
- 2 Large Sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Coarse Sea Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic
- 1 Tablespoon Paprika
See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet smoker to 250°F. While it’s preheating, let your steak sit outside the fridge to come to room temperature. This is important!
- Sprinkle the entire steak with the salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic.2.5 Pound Tomahawk Steak, 1 Tablespoon Coarse Sea Salt, 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper, 1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic, 1 Tablespoon Paprika
- Place on the smoker for 1 hour 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 125°F. Use a meat thermometer for best results. Season lightly a second time when it comes out of the smoker.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat and add the butter. When melted, add the thyme and place the steak in the skillet. Sear on each side for about 2 minutes.2 Large Sprigs Fresh Thyme, 1 Tablespoon Butter
- Allow the steak to sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The process of searing after the steak is cooked is called a “reverse sear.”
- Allowing the steak to sit for a few minutes after being cooked allows it to reabsorb some moisture that was cooked out. It makes it a tender and melt-in-your-mouth steak.
- 125 degrees makes the steak medium-rare. If you want rare, that’s 120 degrees, and 130 degrees is medium.
- I used mesquite pellets for this recipe, but any pellet would do just fine.
- If your steak is a different weight, simply check the internal temperature instead of going off of time, since the cooking time will change with the weight change. The internal temp is the deciding factor, no matter the size of the steak.
Nutrition
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Joseph and Michelle says
Good Lord!!!2.7lb of absolute heaven! 29 year Celebration of marriage. This was so much fun! Tomahawk steak came out perfect!!!
Isabel Laessig says
This made my day! I'm glad to hear you both enjoyed it. I hope you had a wonderful anniversary!