The Best Seasoning for Ribeye Steak

Ribeye is one of the richest, most flavorful steaks you can buy. It has great marbling, which is the fat woven through the meat. That fat gives it big beefy flavor. So the best seasoning for ribeye is one that backs up that flavor without hiding it.

What makes a great ribeye seasoning

You do not need much. A ribeye already tastes amazing on its own. The job of the seasoning is to add a savory crust and a little depth. Look for these basics:

• Salt. It pulls out moisture to build a crust and wakes up the beef flavor.
• Black pepper. A little heat and bite.
• Garlic. Savory depth that pairs great with beef.
• A touch of smoke. It makes a grilled steak taste even more grilled.

That is really it. You can reach for a shaker of each, or you can use one all-purpose blend that already has them balanced. Dad Spice The Classic is built around smoke, citrus zest, and earthy celery seed, which is why it works so well on a ribeye.

How much seasoning to use on a ribeye

Be more generous than you think. A lot of the seasoning falls off during cooking. Coat every side of the steak, including the edges. For a 1 inch ribeye, that is usually about 2 to 3 teaspoons of blend total.

When to season a ribeye

You have two good options. Season right before it goes on the grill, or season at least 40 minutes ahead so the salt can soak in. The one time to avoid is 10 minutes before. That is long enough to pull moisture to the surface but not long enough for it to soak back in, so you get a wet steak that will not sear well.

How to cook a seasoned ribeye

1. Pat the steak dry and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Season every side well with your blend.
3. Grill over high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side, without moving it.
4. Pull it at 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, a few degrees early.
5. Rest it 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.

For the full version, follow our grilled ribeye recipe. And if you want exact pull temps for other doneness levels, check the Meat-o-Meter.