Perfect Ribeye Steak

Grill the perfect ribeye steak every time. Juicy, tender and incredibly flavorful, these delicious steaks are easy to prepare and are sure to impress your guests. With a few simple techniques and the right ingredients, you'll be serving restaurant-quality ribeyes in no time.

Perfect ribeye steak

Ribeye steaks are a true delicacy, loved by steak lovers for their rich, beefy flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The generous marbling of the meat melts as it cooks, basting the steak from within and resulting in a juicy, flavorful experience that satisfies even the most demanding palates.

Grilling a perfect ribeye may seem complicated, but with the right techniques and simple ingredients you can create restaurant-quality steaks at home. Using a combination of indirect heat for cooking and high heat searing, you can grill the perfect ribeye steak. Fire up the grill and prepare to amaze your family and friends with the most delicious ribeye steaks they've ever tasted.

Tips for selecting ribeye

Choosing a high-quality cut is essential when it comes to grilling the perfect ribeye steak. Not all ribeyes are the same and selecting the right steak can make a difference in the final result. Here are some tips for choosing the best ribeyes:

Color. Select steaks that are bright red and have no signs of discoloration. The meat should look fresh and nice, with no gray or brown spots that could indicate age or poor handling.
Marbling. Look for steaks with generous marbling throughout the meat. The more marbling, the more flavor and tenderness you can expect from your steak.
Thickness. The thicker the steak, the better the ribeye. Thinner steaks are more likely to overcook and become dry, while thicker steaks allow for a nice sear on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside.
Spinal. Look for ribeyes with a generous spinal muscle, also known as a ribeye cap. The crescent-shaped muscle located on the outer edge of the ribeye contains incredible meaty flavor.

Dressing ingredients in white bowls on worktop.

Steak seasoning ingredients

A great steak seasoning brings out the natural flavors of the ribeye without overpowering it. I designed this blend to perfectly highlight the natural richness of the ribeye and bring out the savory flavor of the beef. Here's what you'll need:

2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 Teaspoon ground coriander
1 Teaspoon garlic powder
1 Teaspoon onion powder
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper

I also have recipes for my Homemade Steak Rub and Seasoning if you want to try something different. You can also season with plain salt and pepper or grab some of my signature Beef Rub if you don't feel like mixing up your own seasoning.

Raw steaks on metal pan sprinkled with seasoning.

How Long to Grill Ribeye Steak

We will cook our steaks in two stages using the two-zone grilling method, for a total of about 45 minutes. We first grill our steaks with the lid closed over indirect heat for about 40 minutes, turning them once in between. This gives your ribeyes time to absorb the smoke and become super tender. Then, we'll move our steaks straight to give them a final sear on both sides to get that delicious, crispy bark.

The cooking time of your ribeye steaks will also depend on their thickness and the desired doneness. Thicker steaks will take longer to cook, while thinner steaks will cook faster. It's important to use a reliable meat thermometer (like mine Thermapen ONE) to ensure your steaks are cooked to perfection. Here are the target internal temperatures for various doneness levels:

Rare: 125 degrees F
Medium rare: 135 degrees F
Medium: 145 degrees F
Average Good: 155 degrees F
Well done: 160 degrees F

How to prepare a perfect ribeye steak

Okay, here are the simple steps to a perfect ribeye steak:

Rest the steaks. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes while you preheat the grill to 350 degrees F for dual-zone grilling. I'm making them on mine Weber 22 inch charcoal grill, but you can set up most barbecues for two-zone cooking. This will help the steaks cook evenly and develop a crust.
Prepare the dressing. Combine all the steak seasoning ingredients in a small bowl, then mix with a fork to combine and avoid lumps. Then, generously sprinkle the seasoning on both sides of the steaks, pressing it gently into the meat to help it adhere.
Grilled ribeye. Once the grill has reached an overall temperature of 350 degrees F, place the ribeye steaks on the grates on the indirect head side of the grill. We recommend grilling them for about 20 minutes with the lid closed, then turning them over and letting them rest for another 20 minutes with the lid closed. You want them about 10 degrees from the desired temperature so we can sear them and let them rest.
Sear the steaks. Next, it's time to transfer the steaks to the direct heat side of the grill to sear for 2-3 minutes per side or until the steaks reach your preferred target internal temperature. This will give the steaks a nice crust and improve the flavor.
Rest, serve and enjoy. Finally, it's time to remove the steaks to a serving platter and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This rest period is extremely important, as it allows all the juices to redistribute into the meat, resulting in a juicier and tastier steak.

More ways to enjoy steak

If you still can't get enough steak even after these juicy, flavorful ribeyes, be sure to check out the Hey Grill Hey app where I have dozens of amazing steak recipes for you to try next. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy ribeyes, plus a great resting butter and an amazing sauce to try.

Perfect ribeye steak recipe

Grilling the perfect ribeye is easier than you think, if you follow this simple recipe. If you want to know even more about this incredible meat, go to The grill team. We have in-depth courses on steak, meat buying and more to help you become a backyard barbecue hero.

Hey Grill Hey is here to help you prepare better barbecue to feed the people you love. Follow us on social media for more grilling inspiration, tips and tricks, and share your perfect ribeye creations with us. We love seeing what our community is cooking up.

Rest and season the steaks. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them rest on the counter while you preheat the grill for dual-zone broiling to an overall temperature of 350 degrees F. Combine all the steak seasoning ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Season the steaks on all sides with the rub.

2 12-14 ounce ribeye steaks, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Grilled ribeye. Place the steaks on the grills over indirect heat, close the lid and cook for about 20 minutes, before turning for another 20 minutes or until the steaks are 10 degrees from the target temperature. (Rare = 115 degrees F, Medium Rare = 125, Medium = 135, Medium Well = 145, Well = 150 degrees F).
Sear the ribeyes. Transfer steaks to direct heat side of grill to sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until steaks reach preferred target internal temperature. (Rare = 125 degrees F, Medium Rare = 135, Medium = 145, Medium Well = 155, Well = 160 degrees F).
Rest, serve and enjoy. Remove steaks to serving platter and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition information is calculated automatically, so should only be used as an approximation.