Learn How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions for delicious results.
A very special meal for special occasions or as an everyday surprise. Ribeye steaks contain great marbling which makes them one the most delicious steaks to grill. A little bigger than a filet but in the same class as one of the top steaks available.
My Rating
A high 5.
Notes on How to Grill a Ribeye Steak
How to Buy Ribeye Steak
Think of a ribeye steak as a slice of a prime rib roast. It can come with the rib or boneless. Sometimes the bone in variety is referred to as a prime rib steak, but they are the same cut of meat. The boneless version is much more common.
Some people believe that the bone will add some flavor and it even will sell for a little more. I’m not a believer, and I’m generally going for boneless and consider the bone as paying a premium price for some waste.
I like about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick. You can get thinner, but I don’t suggest not going under 1 inch thick. Over 1 1/2 starts to get into well over one pound of meat which I consider too much for a serving.
At 1 1/4 inches, it will be about 3/4 to one pound. In the picture, you can see both a 3/4 and a one pound example of prime grade 1 1/4 inch thick ribeye steaks.
QUALITY DOES MATTER.
It is all about quality when buying ribeye. Prime is the top 2% of the beef in the United States. Most people don’t want to pay the price for prime.
Do not confuse the term “prime” and “prime rib.” Prime is referring to a grade of meat while the term prime rib is a cut of meat that can be various grades.
The next step down is Choice. About half the beef sold in the USA is choice, and this is what you will usually buy and is an excellent choice. Look for a nicely marbled piece that is well trimmed if you can.
Select is next step down but just say no.
The Grill
You need to know your grill. We are going to use direct heat here with a grill surface temperature of about 450 up to but not over 500. On my grill (which is very hot) that is just above 50%. On more normal grills it should be about 75% but get a $10 grill surface thermometer and get to know your grill.
For more details on grill temperature control on a gas grill, please see my Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill
Your endpoint is the internal temperature you want or a little less. DO NOT COOK BY TIME ALONE.
What grill temperature to use?
I suggest 450 to 500. This will take a bit longer than maximum heat, but it is more controllable for the more fragile steaks like filet and ribeye. You can cook at your grill maximum, and it will cook faster and be just fine, but you will have less margin for error.
It is very easy to overcook this expensive meat, and I suggest leaving yourself a little margin for error and taking a few more minutes.
When is a ribeye steak done?
Remember that the rest period after removing the steak from the grill, which is needed for the meat to reabsorb some moisture back into the cells, will increase the temperature 2-5 degrees.
Next, please do not cook by time only. The times are provided to help with your planning, but you MUST use an instant-read thermometer to get things right. A good thermometer (like my thermapen) will improve your grilling skills by 100% instantly.
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So, when is it done? There is a lot of snobbiness about this. The “rare” people will unfriend you on facebook if you disagree. Most of the pink will disappear at about 155.
You like what you like. But if you haven’t tried your steak a little rarer, I suggest trying to “work your way down” on good filet or ribeye. Don’t jump from well done to rare. Go down by five degrees at a time.
I like 140-145 now after growing up in a “burn it to black” family. I doubt I will go lower. I like “hot” steak, and below 140, the steak is only warm to me. Remember you can always toss it back on the grill for a few minutes.
Other comments:
If there is a layer of trimmable fat along the edge, remove it. It does not add flavor and will cause trouble when it melts and cause flare-ups.
The timing of the seasoning is important. Do not put salt on the meat for more than a few minutes unless you are going to do 60 minutes or more.
And finally, no steak sauce or marinade allowed.
Related Recipes:
How to Grill a Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill
Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
How to Grill a Strip Steak on a Gas Grill
How to Grill a T-bone or Porterhouse Steak – A Tutorial
Pan Seared Oven Roasted Filet Mignon
Start with prime or choice ribeye steaks. I like a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch thick that will be 12-16 ozs. each. One of the most important steps is resting the steaks at room temperature for 30 or so minutes. This raises the temperature of the meat making getting your desired internal temperature much easier.
While the steaks are resting, get your grill temperature about 450-500. Just over medium for me but more medium-high on most grills. Of course, clean and oil the grill.
If there is a layer of trimmable fat, remove most of it. Give the steaks seasoning of your choice. Do it just before grilling; I use a nice sprinkling of my 7:2:2 seasoning but just a nice sprinkle of coarse salt and pepper will do.
Place the steaks on the grill. Close the lid. Grill on the first side for 6 minutes. Rotate half the way through if you want these nice crossed grill marks. Flip and grill until you reach the correct internal temperature for your taste. For me, I do another 6 minutes (with the rotation) and get a 140-145 internal temperature.
Remove and rest for 5 minutes minimum. A light foil tent is a good idea here.
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How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye steaks - 12 to 16 oz
- salt and pepper to taste - or 7:2:1 or 7:2:2 seasoning
Instructions
- Start with prime or choice ribeye steaks. I like a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch thick that will be 12-16 ozs. each. One of the most important steps is resting the steaks at room temperature for 30 or so minutes. This raises the temperature of the meat making getting your desired internal temperature much easier.
- While the steaks are resting, get your grill temperature about 450-500. Just over medium for me but more medium-high on most grills. Of course, clean and oil the grill.
- If there is a layer of trimmable fat, remove most of it. Give the steaks seasoning of your choice. Do it just before grilling; I use a nice sprinkling of my 7:2:2 seasoning but just a nice sprinkle of coarse salt and pepper will do.
- Place the steaks on the grill. Close the lid. Grill on the first side for 6 minutes. Rotate half the way through if you want these nice crossed grill marks. Flip and grill until you reach the correct internal temperature for your taste. For me, I do another 6 minutes (with the rotation) and get about 145 internal temperature.
- Remove and rest for 5 minutes minimum. A light foil tent is a good idea here.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- Try to do a rest of the steak at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before starting to grill.
- Season just before placing on the grill
- Use a medium grill of about 450-degree surface temperature. You can use a higher grill temperature, but these can overcook quickly.
- Be sure to rest for 5 minutes after cooking before serving.
- Please do not cook by time only. The times are provided to help with your planning, but you MUST use an instant-read thermometer to get things right. Please do not endanger your expensive meat by guessing.
Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.
If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.
Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
Originally Published June 23, 2018
