How To Broil Ribeye Steak

When it comes to cooking steak, most folks are familiar with the typical grilling style, but what if you don’t have a barbecue or just want to try something new?

Can you broil a ribeye steak in the oven? Would it ruin the steak? You absolutely can broil a ribeye and it’s not very hard!

So, how do you broil a ribeye steak? First, heat the oven to a high broil and move the rack down to the second level. Then generously season your steak with salt and pepper, place on a broiling tray, and cook for 5-10 minutes per side depending on your preference for doneness.

Keep reading to learn what a ribeye steak is, how long it takes to cook, what temperature to look for, tips and tricks to perfectly broil your steak, and step-by-step instructions to broil your steak like a pro.

What Is A Ribeye Steak?

This cut of steak is one of the most popular and delicious parts of the cow. It’s beautifully marbled, super juicy, buttery rich, and packed with flavor making it a favorite of chefs and home cooks alike. You may also see a ribeye called:

• Delmonico
• Spencer
• Beauty steak
• Sarket steak
• Scotch fillet

When butchers break down large animals like cows, they first divide them into something called primal cuts. These 8 cuts are called:

• Chuck
• Rib
• Loin
• Round
• Flank
• Short Plate
• Brisket
• Shank

Can you guess which section the RIBeye comes from? That’s right! It is cut from the primal beef rib, which is found between the shoulder (called the chuck in primal cuts) and the loin.

The rib cut runs from rib 6 to rib 12 and naturally collects a lot of fat, which is what gives this steak its amazing flavor.

The fat that runs through this cut of steak is called marbling.

When it comes to choosing flavorful steaks, you want there to be a lot of beautiful marbling since the fat helps the steak stay juicy, tender, and buttery. That’s why the ribeye is such a prime cut!

The primal rib is also the section of the beef that provides the:

• Prime rib
• Rib roasts
• Some ribs
• Rib steaks (not quite the same as ribeye since this cut doesn’t have the distinctive marbling)

A ribeye steak is usually divided into 2 or 3 sections. The main meaty portion of the ribeye is called the Eye of Ribeye and this is the section where you will see a lot of delicious marbling. The other main part you’ll often see is the Ribeye Cap.

The Cap is separate from the Eye by a nice big piece of juicy fat and this section is the most coveted by ribeye fans since it has the most marbling, tenderest meat, and is packed with delicious, juicy flavor.

This section of the ribeye is a little darker.

Finally, the third part of the ribeye may or may not be included in the cut depending on how the butcher breaks it down.

It is called the complexus and it’s a little muscle. The more complexus there is in your ribeye, the less of that juicy center you might have.

So, now that you know everything about the ribeye, let’s figure out how to properly cook this delicious cut of steak!

How Long Does It Take To Broil A Ribeye Steak In The Oven?

The length of time it takes to broil a ribeye steak depends on a couple of factors, including how thick the steak is and the temperature of doneness you prefer.

The thicker the steak and the higher internal temperature you prefer, the longer it will take your steak to cook. I like to start with 5 minutes of broiling per side and then check the temperature. I do prefer my steak on the rare side though.

A general rule of thumb to follow for cooking times is:

• 4-5 minutes per side for a rare steak
• 5-7 minutes per side for a medium rare steak
• 9-10 minutes per side for a medium steak
• 10+ minutes per side for a medium-well/well-done steak

Tips For Broiling Your Best Ribeye Steak In The Oven

I want to lay out a couple of things to keep in mind when you’re broiling a ribeye steak so that you get the most flavorful, delicious steak possible.

1. Choose A Thicker Cut

First, the thicker your ribeye is cut, the better your final result will be.

The thickness is important because you will be able to develop a better crust without overcooking the center of your meat. Overcooked ribeye is a crime since you lose its characteristic juiciness!

2. Invest In A Digital Meat Thermometer

You will also want to pick up a digital meat thermometer so you can cook your steak to your perfect temperature (we’d recommend this one).

These thermometers are the key to perfectly cooked steak! The temps for different doneness levels are below:

• Rare steaks should be cooked to 120–125°F
• Medium-rare steaks should be cooked to 130–140°F
• Medium steaks should be cooked to 140–150°F
• Medium-well steaks should be cooked to 150–160°F
• Well-done steaks should be cooked to 160°F+

3. Choose A Ribeye With A Thick Cap

Many chefs, butchers, and steak enthusiasts will also recommend that you look for ribeye steaks that have more of a cap (the darker part of the steak) since it is the most flavorful and juicy.

So if possible, ask your butcher for more cap or look for more darker pieces at the store.

4. Generously Season Your Ribeye Before Cooking

Salt is what helps bring out the natural meaty flavors in your ribeye.

Since this cut is premium, I don’t recommend a marinade, since you don’t want to overshadow the inherent steak flavor. Instead, make sure you generously season your ribeyes with salt and pepper.

5. Let Your Steak Rest After Cooking

Once your steak is cooked, it’s important that you let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes. The resting period allows all the delicious juices to soak back into the meat so that you get the juiciest, most flavorful steak with every bite.

If you try to carve your steak too soon, all those juices will run all over your plate or cutting board, which means you’ll be leaving a ton of flavor on the table.

Since steak can be so expensive (especially ribeye), letting your steak rest before eating lets you enjoy all the flavor it has to offer.

The more cooked the steak, the longer you should let it rest. A rare steak needs less resting time than a medium-well or well-done steak.

6. Let Your Steaks Come Up To Room Temperature

When cooking steak, it’s a great idea to let it come up to room temperature before broiling or even grilling.

A cold steak won’t cook evenly and you might end up with over and undercooked sections, which you definitely don’t want when you’ve invested in a high-quality cut!

Taking the steak out of the fridge about 1-2 hours before you’re ready to cook is a great idea.

7. Broil Your Ribeye On High On The Second Rack

Finally, you want to make sure that you broil your ribeye on high, but move the rack to the second position.

This space will allow the temp to caramelize the outside of the steak and create a delicious crust, without burning the meat or overcooking the center.

How To Broil Ribeye Steak In The Oven

Alright, now that you have everything ready, it’s time to get down to the business of actually broiling your ribeye steak. Follow these steps to perfectly broil your ribeye.

1. Preheat your oven to a high broil and move the rack down to the second position. You don’t want it as close to the element as possible, since it could burn the outside.
2. As your oven is preheating, generously season your steak with salt and pepper. Steak is a hardy meat and can hold up to aggressive seasoning, so don’t be shy here. Remember to make sure your steak is at or close to room temperature before broiling.
3. Broil your ribeye steaks one side at a time on a broiling pan. You want to use a broiling pan so your steak gets even heat distribution for a perfect cook.
4. After 5 minutes, check your ribeye. It should have a beautiful crispy crust on the first side.
5. Flip your ribeye steak over using a pair of metal tongs and return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
6. Check the internal temperature after 5 minutes. Continue cooking until you achieve your perfect doneness.
7. Once your ribeye has reached the proper internal temperature, remove your steak from the oven and allow it to rest. The higher the internal temp, the longer you should let it rest.
8. After resting your steak for 5-15 minutes, slice and serve!

If you’re also looking to learn how to pan-fry your ribeye, here’s a great video from Joshua Weissman on how to do so!

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