I used to think that a perfectly cooked ribeye steak — juicy, tender, and full of rich, beefy flavor — could only be enjoyed at fancy restaurants. With some practice and a lot of trial and error, I learned that you don’t need a fancy grill or contraption to make it at home. With a heavy pan, some simple seasoning, and garlic butter basting, you can cook a restaurant-quality ribeye at home in less than 30 minutes.
This method gives you a golden crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Whether you like your steak medium rare or medium, this pan-seared ribeye recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to impress.
How to Cook Ribeye Steak at Home
To cook ribeye steak, season generously with salt and pepper or your preferred seasoning. Sear in a hot cast-iron pan with oil, then baste with butter, garlic, and herbs until you reach your desired temperature. Let the steak rest before slicing so the juices redistribute for maximum tenderness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ribeye steaks (room temperature, blotted dry)
- Avocado oil (or another neutral, high-smoke-point oil like grapeseed or canola)
- Butter (unsalted is preferred)
- Garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- Fresh rosemary or herbs of choice (optional)
- Salt and black pepper (or your preferred seasoning blend)
- Flaky salt, for finishing (we’re not just trying to be fancy here, it really makes a difference. If you don’t have flaky salt finish with a sprinkle of kosher or sea salt at the end)
Step-by-Step: Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak
Prep the steaks
Bring ribeyes to room temperature and blot dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper or your desired seasoning blend.
Sear the first side
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large cast iron or stainless-steel pan over medium-high. Place the steak gently into the pan, laying it away from you to avoid splatter. Use a grill press or spatula to press lightly for even browning. Cook 1 minute.
Flip and repeat
Flip the steak and cook for 1 minute. Continue flipping every minute until the steak is about 10°F below your preferred cooking temperature (for medium, target 135°F before basting).
Butter baste
- Reduce heat to low. Add butter, smashed garlic cloves, and herbs. Tilt the pan slightly and spoon the melted butter over the steaks, basting both sides until they reach your desired final cook temperature.
Tip: Remove steaks about 4°F below your target doneness, as they’ll continue cooking while resting.
Rest the steaks
Transfer to a cutting board and rest 5–10 minutes before slicing (rest time will vary depending on the thickness of your steaks)l
Finish & serve
Drizzle the pan sauce over the ribeye, garnish with flaky salt, and serve immediately.
Ribeye Steak Doneness Guide
- Rare: 120–125°F (cool red center)
- Medium Rare: 130–135°F (warm red center)
- Medium: 140–145°F (warm pink center)
- Medium Well: 150–155°F (slightly pink)
- Well Done: 160°F+ (little to no pink)
Costco Ribeye Steaks: What You Need to Know
If you buy ribeye steaks from Costco, there’s one often overlooked detail to consider: the pre-sliced ribeye steaks are blade tenderized. This process pierces the meat with blades to break down fibers, which makes them tender — but it also means bacteria can be pushed below the surface.
For food safety, Costco recommends cooking blade-tenderized steaks to 145°F (medium) or higher.
If you prefer your steak medium rare, here’s a workaround:
- Buy a whole ribeye roast or rump roast from Costco.
- Slice the steaks yourself at home.
- These are not blade tenderized, so you can safely cook them to medium rare (130–135°F).
This way you can enjoy Costco’s great prices and quality, while keeping full control over your preferred doneness. Another benefit is that you get to determine how thick to slice each steak.
A Great Dish for Special Occasions
Ribeye is also one of the best cuts to serve for special occasions. The marbling, tenderness, and rich beefy flavor (as well as the price point) make it feel celebratory. As fancy and delicious as it is, it’s very simple and easy to make.
When to serve ribeye steak:
- Valentine’s Day – a romantic, steakhouse-quality dinner at home.
- Birthdays – a decadent main course that feels extra special.
- Christmas – ribeye makes a luxurious centerpiece for a holiday meal.
- Thanksgiving – a bold alternative to turkey, especially if your family prefers beef.
Pairing ribeye with simple sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad turns it into a show-stopping meal worthy of any holiday or celebration.
What to Serve with Ribeye Steak
- Garlic mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes
- Grilled asparagus or sautéed green beans
- A simple salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.
My easy salad recipes:
– Apple Pomegranatte Salad with Balsamic Dressing
– Caprese Salad
FAQ About Ribeye Steak
What’s the best pan for cooking steak?
Cast iron is ideal because it holds high heat for a great sear, but stainless steel works too.
Can I cook Costco ribeye medium rare?
Not if it’s pre-sliced and blade tenderized. For medium rare, buy a whole ribeye roast or rump roast and slice it yourself.
*See above for more details regarding Costco ribeye
Do I need a thermometer?
Yes — it’s the easiest way to guarantee your steak is perfectly cooked.
Can I grill ribeye instead of pan-searing?
Yes. Sear over direct high heat, then finish over indirect heat until the steak reaches your target temperature.
Final Thoughts
Cooking ribeye steak at home doesn’t have to be intimidating. With this garlic butter basting method, you’ll get a rich, golden crust and juicy interior every time. It may take a few tries but you will get the hang of it in no time. The great thing about ribeye is that it has high marbling (fat content), so will taste great even if you overcook it by a few degrees.
A great go-to steak recipe is a must-have for every home cook. Give it a try today and let me know how it goes! Don’t forget to comment below or tag me on Instagram with your creation!
Ribeye Steak Recipe Card Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye steaks room temperature and blotted dry
- 4 tbsp avocado oil or neutral oil with high smoke point
- 6 tbsp butter
- 4 rosemary sprigs or herbs of choice
- 10 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
- 2 tsp flaky salt
Seasoning
- 4 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Bring steaks to room temperature, blot dry, and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium-high. Place steaks gently in pan, pressing lightly for even browning. Cook 1 minute.
- Flip and cook the other side 1 minute. Continue flipping every minute until steaks are 10°F below target doneness.
- Reduce heat to low, add butter, garlic, and herbs. Baste steaks until they reach your desired cook temperature.
- Remove steaks from pan and rest 5–10 minutes.
- Drizzle with pan sauce, garnish with flaky salt, and serve.
