How to Reverse Sear a Steak (2024)

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My Reverse Sear Steak recipe is a flavorful, easy steak dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes! Reverse searing a steak is the best way to cook steak. This simple cooking method makes it so easy to beautifully cook and sear any cut of beef, including a perfect ribeye! I will show you how to reverse sear a steak to perfection!

Reverse Sear Ribeye

I’ll show you how to cook the perfect steak using the reverse sear method in your oven, and promise it will be your new favorite cooking method! Cooking steak in a cast-iron skillet and oven makes the most flavorful steak with a delicious browned crust. Every bite is steak perfection. Perfect for a weekday meal or a Sunday dinner!

What is reverse sear?

Reverse searing is a cooking method that involves first cooking steak in the oven, then searing it at a high temperature in a pan over the stove or on the grill.

This is the opposite of traditional pan-searing, where you begin by searing and then continue to cook the steak in a hot skillet or over a grill until it cooks through.

The benefits of reverse searing is that you can better control the cooking temperature for perfect results every time. I love to use this method for all of our best steak recipes!

First time I was ever able to cook the steak perfectly without stressing

@LisaGeeee

Ribeye Steak Recipe Ingredients

• Thick-cut ribeye steak (about 1 ½ to 2 inches thick, if possible)
• Santa Maria seasoning or your favorite steak seasoning
• Avocado oil, canola oil, or another neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point
• Unsalted butter
• Fresh rosemary (optional)

Ribeye Steak Seasoning

Santa Maria seasoning is a simple steak seasoning that uses a mixture of salt and pepper, granulated honey or sugar, granulated garlic, and onion powder.

We use it in our churrascaria-style Picanha Steak Recipe and love to use it for this ribeye steak, too. Along with my dry-brining method using my Dry Rub for Steak, it makes one of the best steak seasonings ever.

You can also use simple kosher salt and black pepper to season a good quality steak, and it will be delicious.

How to Reverse Sear a Steak

1. Preheat oven to 275°F. Place a wire cooling rack onto a baking sheet, then place ribeye steak onto the wire rack.
2. Thoroughly season both sides of the ribeye with Santa Maria steak seasoning or your favorite steak rub.
3. Place the sheet with the steak in the oven. At the same time, place your cast-iron pan into the oven to let it warm while the steak cooks.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the steak reaches about 90°F. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
   
5. After 15 minutes or the steak reaches 90°F, carefully remove it from the oven. Carefully remove the hot pan
6. from the oven and place it onto a burner on the stove.
7. Add avocado oil to the skillet and heat over high heat until it begins to smoke.
8. Gently add the steak to the cast iron skillet and sear for 2 minutes on one side. Flip, then sear for another 1-2 minutes on the second side or until the internal temperature reaches your desired degree of doneness*. For a medium rare steak, let it reach 135°F.
   
9. Remove from the skillet and let the steak rest for 10 minutes on a plate.
10. Top with unsalted butter and fresh rosemary, or a pat of garlic butter as it rests.
11. Slice against the grain. Serve, and enjoy!
    

Steak Degree of Doneness

Note: The USDA recommends steak be cooked to a minimum of 145°F. For more info, see my Steak Temperature Chart.

I recommend always using a meat thermometer when cooking any meat, especially if you want that perfect steak temperature every time!

Reverse Sear Steak FAQs

How to Sear Steak on the Grill

If you’d like to reverse sear a steak on a gas grill instead of in a cast iron skillet, you can do that easily.

1. Cook the steak as instructed in the oven, and then finish on the grill over high heat.
2. Sear for 2 minutes on one side, and then 1-2 minutes on the other, or until it reaches your desired degree of doneness.

Reverse sear ribeye makes one of the best grilling recipes for summer, along with our grilled Picanha steak.

Can I cook more than one steak?

Yes, you can! Bake two steaks at the same time. For best results, make sure to use a meat thermometer when checking the internal temperature of the steaks.

However, you want to avoid over-crowding the pan when searing the steaks. It’s best to avoid adding more than one steak to the pan if you’re cooking large cuts, so sear the steaks one at a time. If you’re finishing steaks on the grill, this won’t be an issue.

For feeding a family of four, bake the second batch of steaks while you finish the first on the stove or grill.

Side Dishes for Steak

• Foil Pack Potatoes
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Grilled Potatoes
• Mushrooms and Onions
• Garlic Butter Potatoes!

The best sides for steak are simple vegetable sides, grilled vegetables, simple salads, and potato dishes!

What to Do with Leftover Steak

Make a leftovers steak sandwich with homemade remoulade sauce (it’s amazing!) and Perfect Caramelized Onions, or try our Creamy Penne Pasta with Sliced Prime Rib using steak instead of prime rib.

Steak Recipes

• Pan Seared Steak
• Sous Vide Ribeye Steak
• Wagyu Steak Recipe
• Grilled Porterhouse Steak
• Compound Butter for Steak

Make any cut of steak tender following our guide on How to Tenderize Steak.

Did you try this reverse sear ribeye steak? Let us know in the comments below what you think! We love to hear from you.

Recipe