Pan-Seared Ribeye with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 2 boneless ribeye steaks
1 inch thick
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic
smashed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Directions
- 1
Remove steaks from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
- 2
Place cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile, season both sides of steaks with salt and pepper, gently pressing seasoning into the steaks.
- 3
Once pan is hot, add canola oil. When hot and rippling, add steaks to pan, making sure they do not touch each other.
- 4
Set a timer and sear first side for 2 minutes and 30 seconds (For a 1 inch steak at medium doneness - see table below for temperatures). Flip steak and set timer for 2 minutes and 30 seconds for second side.
- 5
Cooking times for a steak will vary based on the thickness, size, and shape of your steak. For best success, I suggest a meat thermometer. You'll want to remove your steak from the pan when the temperature reaches 5 degrees below your desired doneness. The steak will continue to cook slightly while it is resting. Temperatures are listed in Fahrenheit.- Rare: 125 degrees - Medium-rare: 135 degrees- Medium: 145 degrees- Medium-well: 150 degrees- Well done: 160 degrees.
- 6
After flipping steak, add butter, smashed garlic cloves, and thyme sprigs to pan. Once melted, spoon butter over steaks while second side cooks.
- 7
Once steak is cooked to your desired temperature, remove steaks immediately from pan and transfer to a plate. Rest steaks by covering loosely with foil for five minutes. At this point the garlic and thyme can be discarded from the pan.
- 8
Optionally, drizzle extra garlic herb butter over steaks before serving.
Pan-Seared Ribeye with Garlic Butter
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About this Recipe
Dreaming of a steakhouse-quality dinner without leaving your kitchen? This Pan-Seared Ribeye with Garlic Butter recipe brings that luxurious experience right to your table, perfect for a special meal for two.
Why This Pan-Seared Ribeye Works
The magic of this dish lies in the simple yet powerful technique of pan-searing, which creates an irresistible crust on the ribeye. Finishing it with a fragrant garlic herb butter infused with fresh thyme elevates the flavor, ensuring every bite is rich and deeply savory. It's a quick, high-impact method that yields impressive results, making you feel like a pro chef without the fuss.
What to Expect
You can expect a truly satisfying steak experience with this pan-seared ribeye. The high-heat sear develops a beautiful, crisp exterior, perfectly sealing in the juices so the steak remains incredibly tender within. The aromatic garlic butter, made with smashed garlic and fresh thyme, melts over the hot steak, imparting a buttery, pungent, and herbaceous finish that complements the beef's natural richness.
Each slice offers a delightful contrast of textures and a burst of savory flavor, making it an effortlessly elegant meal that tastes far more complex than its straightforward preparation suggests.
Customization & Variations
While ribeye is fantastic here, this pan-searing method can be applied to other boneless steak cuts. For the aromatic finish, feel free to swap fresh thyme with other robust herbs like rosemary or oregano. If vegetable oil isn't on hand, any neutral oil with a high smoke point will work well for searing.
Serving & Context
This pan-seared ribeye with garlic butter is ideal for a romantic dinner or a celebratory weeknight meal for two. Serve it alongside your favorite roasted vegetables or a simple green salad for a complete and memorable feast.