Name: Cast Iron Skillet Steak
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 – 1 1/4 pound bone-in ribeyes, at least 1-inch thick; kosher salt; freshly ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 sprigs fresh rosemary; 4 cloves garlic, peeled smashed

This easy recipe for Cast Iron Skillet Steak will give you juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked steak every single time. All you need are a few simple ingredients, a few tips, and a cast iron skillet to get restaurant quality steak at home!

steaks in cast iron skillet with herbs and garlic

The Best Cast Iron Skillet Steak: My Fail-Proof Method

Ok, today we’re talking all about steak! Honestly, my life kind of changed once I learned how to make a restaurant quality steak at home. I don’t eat steak often but when I do I want it to be exceptional, and for the longest time I thought that the only way to get a really good steak was to go out to a restaurant.

Like many of us, I learned new cooking skills during lockdown and one of those skills was how to make the perfect juicy steak at home. Of course, I want that for you, too, so I’m going to share my fail-proof method for making a cast iron skillet steak with you! With just a few simple ingredients, one cast iron skillet, and a little bit of time you can make a delicious steak, in your sweatpants, and never have to leave your home.

This method is so easy and perfect for an at-home date night or special birthday or holiday dinner. I’m going to go over every single thing you need to know for perfect steak in this post but as always feel free to leave a comment with any questions you may have!

Watch How to Make This Recipe

Here’s What You Need

Steak: we’re using 1 ¼ pound bone-in ribeyes for this recipe. Ribeyes are my go-to for making steak in this way. They have great marbling, flavor, and a good thickness. Aim for steaks that are at least 1 inch thick for this method.

Salt and Pepper: all you really need for a good steak is salt and pepper. I know there are a million different ‘steak seasoning’ blends out there and you may be tempted to add something extra here but trust me. It all comes down to using a good amount of coarse salt (I like Kosher salt) and fresh cracked black pepper.

Avocado Oil: this is my go-to oil for searing steak because it has a high smoke point which means it can withstand the higher temp needed for searing the steak without burning.

Unsalted Butter: you’ll use a bit of this closer to the end of cooking to baste the steak and give it some great flavor. I highly recommend using a high quality butter like Kerrygold for this recipe. If you prefer, ghee will also work well for this recipe.

Fresh Rosemary and Garlic: these aromatics are added to the skillet to infuse the steak with some more delicious flavor.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Cast Iron Skillet
Tongs
Large Spoon
Sharp Knife
Instant Read Meat Thermometer

steaks with salt and pepper on parchment paper

How to Cook a Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet

Step One: Let your steaks come to room temperature for at least 30 to 45 minutes before you begin.

Step Two: Thoroughly pat the steaks dry on both sides with paper towels and then liberally season the steaks all over with salt and pepper. Use your fingers to press the seasonings into the meat.

Step Three: Next, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the avocado oil.

Step Four: Once the oil is shimmering, add the steaks to the pan, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until they’re deep brown and a crust forms around the edges.

Step Five: Flip the steaks, and immediately add the butter, garlic, and rosemary to the skillet. Continue to cook, basting constantly for another 3 to 5 minutes or until your desired doneness is achieved.

Step Six: Remove the steaks from the skillet, and let them rest for at least 10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain, and enjoy!

Everything You Need to Know About Steak Cooking Times

The exact cooking time will vary depending on the size of your steaks and your preferred doneness. I love my steak cooked medium but you get to choose and I won’t shame you for your choices here, haha!

Follow the guide below to reach your perfect doneness, using an instant-read thermometer to measure the thickest part of the meat away from the bone. Just remember that the steaks will continue to cook slightly as they rest. So, you want the steak to be at least 5 degrees lower than your preferred temperature when you remove it from the pan to rest.

Rare – 120ºF
Medium rare – 130ºF
Medium – 135ºF
Medium-well – 140ºF
Well done – 150ºF

My Best Tips for Perfect Steak

Let the steak come to room temperature before cooking to ensure it cooks evenly throughout. If there are super cold spots on the steak they will cook more slowly than the warmer spots which will lead to a steak that isn’t cooked evenly which isn’t what you want.
Pat the steak dry with paper towels before seasoning with salt and pepper. This is key to ensuring you get a perfect sear on the steak with a good crust.
Liberally season your steaks with salt and pepper. You don’t want to go overboard but don’t be afraid to add a good amount of salt and pepper to your steak. You’ll notice that I don’t provide specific measurements because the amount of salt and pepper can be really personal here and it’s something you’ll perfect over time.
Use a meat thermometer – if you want to get perfectly cooked steak, that’s cooked how YOU like it, then you need a meat thermometer. I know it might seem like just another gadget but using a meat thermometer will ensure that you have perfectly cooked proteins. Go with an instant read thermometer and temp your steak a few minutes after flipping.
Let the steak rest I know it’s hard but letting your steak rest after cooking ensures the muscle fibers to relax and the juices in the meat to redistribute. The steak temperature will also rise a few degrees while resting due to “carryover cooking” so allowing the steak to rest helps your steak reach your perfect desired temperature.

Serving Suggestions

Steak is incredibly versatile and pairs well with lots of different sides. Whether you’re feeling a salad or something heartier like a baked potato, the options are endless! Here are a few of my favorite sides to pair with my steak:

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat. A steak like this is really best served on the same day but leftovers can also be great on salads, with eggs, or even in a sandwich. Reheating in the skillet is the way to go!

More Delicious Steak Recipes

I hope you give this Cast Iron Skillet Steak a try! It’s delicious and quick to make! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.