How Long Do You Grill a Ribeye Steak For?
Well, that’s a common question and the answer to “how long do I grill a ribeye steak?” is: how thick is it and how well done do you like it? There are a few variances to keep in mind, in other words, when trying to decide how long you should grill your steak.
Generally speaking, grilling a great steak is easy. Here are the first steps to grilling a great ribeye steak.
1. Choose your steaks with good marbling to them, as these will be the most flavorful and more tender. Marbling is a term applied to visible specks and streaks of fat in the steak.
2. Prepare your steak and allow it to reach room temperature. The ribeye is one of the top cuts and a popular choice amongst steak lovers. It tastes so good by itself you may only want to add salt and pepper to season.
3. You may want to oil your grill if you find food tends to stick to it. To do this:
a. If using a charcoal grill – Spray a thin film of Pam or brush a thin film of vegetable oil onto the grill before placing over hot coals. b. If you are using a gas grill – Wait until after the grill is at the desired temperature, turn off the flame and oil the grill. Once oiled, turn the flame back on again.
4. For a 3/4-inch thick steak you will want to grill the ribeye for 3-5 minutes on each side. If you have a thinner steak it will take less time and if you have a thicker one it will be just a little longer. Try your best not to have any flames lick up onto the ribeye. If they do, simply remove the steak temporarily from the grill. You don’t want to overcook your beef.
Charcoal Grill Tips: When grilling with charcoal make sure the coals are completely hot. You want them to be red burning embers, when you place the steak on the grill.
Gas Grill Tips: When using a gas grill, turn the heat up high. The temperature will be hot enough when the ribeye sizzles as you put it on the grill.
Close the lid after placing the steak on the grill.
The following information is provided from the USDA specifications for times for cooking steak.
Each option below is assuming you are using direct and high heat for grilling.
1. 3/4 inch thick: 3-5 minutes per side
2. 1.5 inch thick: 7-8 minutes per side
3. 2 inches thick: 10-12 minutes per side
The best way to assure you have a correct reading on the internal temperature of your rib-eye steak is to use a digital meat thermometer. The correct temperature will depend on the level of wellness preferred.
1. Medium Rare: 140-135ºF
2. Medium: 140-145ºF
3. Well done: 165ºF
You can flip the steaks when they reach around 95F. After you grill a ribeye steak, take it off the barbecue and let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to resettle into the steak.
Some food choices for a perfect Rib-eye steak dinner at home:
Choose a great potato recipe. Add a grilled vegetable and maybe a salad or dessert.
Complement your Ribeye with a good brew or a fine glass of Shiraz wine and you’re good to go!