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Perfect Butter-Basted Cast Iron Ribeye Steak

butter-basted cast iron ribeye steak - featured image

A foolproof method to cook a juicy, tender ribeye steak with a perfectly crisp sear using butter, garlic, and thyme in a cast iron skillet.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ribeye steak (1216 oz / 340-450g), about 1 to 1.5 inches thick, well-marbled USDA Choice or Prime
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 34 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or neutral-flavored oil like avocado oil)

Instructions

  1. Bring the ribeye steak to room temperature by resting it on the counter for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
  3. Preheat a 10 to 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until almost smoking.
  4. Add olive oil to the skillet and swirl to coat. Place the steak carefully in the pan and sear without moving for 3-4 minutes until a deep golden crust forms.
  5. Flip the steak and reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter, smashed garlic cloves, and thyme sprigs to the pan.
  6. Tilt the pan slightly and baste the steak continuously with the melted butter and herbs using a spoon for 3-6 minutes, checking doneness with an instant-read thermometer (125°F for medium-rare, 135°F for medium).
  7. Transfer the steak to a plate or cutting board and loosely cover with foil. Rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  8. Slice the steak against the grain into thick slices and serve with pan juices or your favorite steak sauce.

Notes

If the butter starts browning too fast, lower the heat. Constant basting keeps the steak moist and flavorful. Let the steak rest before slicing to retain juices. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan butter, ghee, or coconut oil. Oven finishing at 400°F for 3-5 minutes can be done for more cooked steak.

Nutrition

Keywords: ribeye steak, butter-basted steak, cast iron skillet, juicy steak, easy steak recipe, garlic thyme steak, pan-seared steak