Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak with Quick Creamed Spinach Recipe (2024)

  • Recipes By Ingredients
  • Beef
  • Steaks
  • Ribeyes

By

Nick Kindelsperger

Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak with Quick Creamed Spinach Recipe (1)

Nick Kindelsperger

Nick Kindelsperger is a food critic at the Chicago Tribune. His food writing appears in The Washington Post, Newsweek, Epicurious, Baltimore Sun, Serious Eats, Grub Street, New York Magazine, and Tasting Table, among others.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated June 10, 2019

Trending Videos

Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak with Quick Creamed Spinach Recipe (2)

About once or twice a year, I'm struck by a desire to eat steak—and not just any old cut of meat, but a gigantic, thick-cut monster. While most of my cravings can easily be satisfied by going out to eat, I find the whole steakhouse experience prohibitively expensive. Plus, I feel like I'd have to wear a tie, and I really don't want to do that. Fortunately, recreating the experience at home can be done fairly easily. Just purchase one gorgeous, well-marbeled steak, pick out a classic side—like, say, creamed spinach—and you're set to go.

Fortunately, I didn't have to spend long looking for a pan-seared ribeye steak recipe, because Kenji did all the hard work for me. Basically, it goes like this: heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet, add the steak, flip it constantly, add butter halfway through, baste it like crazy while also flipping occasionally, remove, let rest, and you're done. Works like a charm. Just make sure to have some exhaust fans going or open some windows, because there will be smoke.

Unlike the steak, I was initially unsure where to start with the creamed spinach. I read through numerous recipes, many of which were overly complicated and fussy. In the spirit of simplicity, I just focused on the cream and the spinach. To help thicken the cream so it'd stick to the leaves, I made a quick roux with butter and flour, and then seasoned it with nutmeg and salt. For the spinach, I cooked it carefully with a little more butter until it just started to wilt, and immediately turned off the heat, so that the leaves were soft but not a pile of mush. Then I just combined the two. Done.

While still something of an extravagance, I find that my wife and I can share a large steak, and there will still be some leftovers.

Recipe Details

Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak with Quick Creamed Spinach Recipe

Active30 mins

Total30 mins

Serves2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 large ribeye steak, approximately 1 1/2-inches thick (24 to 30 ounces)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup vegetable orcanola oil

  • 5 tablespoons butter, divided

  • 6 sprigs thyme or rosemary (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 3/4 pound spinach, washed and rinsed, cut into thin strips

  • Pinch gratednutmeg

  • Coarse sea salt

Directions

  1. Season ribeye well with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy-bottomed cast-iron skillet over high heat until just beginning to smoke. Carefully add steak and cook, flipping every 30 seconds or so with a pair of tongs, until a pale golden brown crust starts to develop, about 4 minutes total.

  2. Add two tablespoons of butter to skillet. Continue flipping steak every 30 seconds, while using a spoon to baste the steak with foaming butter. (See here for a step-by-step slideshow of the process. If butter starts to smoke excessively, reduce heat to medium. Continue process until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 125°F (for medium rare), 8 to 10 minutes total. Remove steak and set aside on a large plate to rest for 10 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, melt one tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir with a whisk until there are no lumps. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook until the roux becomes blonde and smells toasty, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and whisk continuously to avoid lumps. Season with 1/8 teaspoon salt and a pinch of grated nutmeg, and simmer gently until thick and creamy.

  4. Melt remaining tablespoon of butter in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and stir with a pair of tongs until leaves have just wilted, but still have some integrity. Turn off heat. Pour half of the cream sauce in the skillet and stir well. Add more if necessary to help bind the spinach together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  5. Slice the steak into 1/2-inch thick slices (if desired), sprinkle with coarse sea salt, and serve with spinach on the side.

  • Ribeyes
  • North American
  • Gluten-free Mains
  • Stovetop Beef
  • Spinach
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1442Calories
127g Fat
11g Carbs
71g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories1442
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 127g162%
Saturated Fat 56g278%
Cholesterol 342mg114%
Sodium 1072mg47%
Total Carbohydrate 11g4%
Dietary Fiber 4g15%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 71g
Vitamin C 17mg85%
Calcium 311mg24%
Iron 12mg69%
Potassium 1574mg33%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak with Quick Creamed Spinach Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook a ribeye steak in a pan Gordon Ramsay? ›

To cook your steaks, heat a frying pan – to a moderate heat for fillet, hot for T-bone or very hot for rib-eye. Add a swirl of oil, with a whole garlic clove and a herb sprig. Season the steaks with salt and pepper and cook for 1½-2½ mins on each side.

Is ribeye better grilled or pan seared? ›

Grilled Ribeye steak is full of flavor and is the best way to prepare this cut. But there are many other methods that are also delicious, such as pan-seared Ribeye steak, broiled Ribeye steak, and even air fryer Ribeye steak.

How do you make a ribeye steak more tender? ›

7 Ways to Tenderize Steak
  1. Pounding. Using a meat mallet (or kitchen mallet) to pound steaks helps soften and tenderize the meat. ...
  2. Salting. Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. ...
  3. Marinating. ...
  4. Velveting. ...
  5. Slow Cooking. ...
  6. Enzymatic Application. ...
  7. Scoring.
Oct 18, 2022

How to cook ribeye steak in a pan without cast iron? ›

Method #1: Stovetop cold sear using a non-stick skillet

Place the room temperature steak on a cold non-stick pan. Turn the flame up to medium-high heat and cook for three minutes on the top bottom and sides. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes on all sides to build a nice crust.

Is it better to cook ribeye in oven or in a pan? ›

But when it comes to cooking steak indoors, you shouldn't choose between the stovetop or oven — instead, use both. In fact, whether they are seared on a grill or in a pan, finishing steaks in the oven is the standard in fine restaurants everywhere, and for good reason.

Is it better to pan fry or broil a ribeye steak? ›

Every armchair beef connoisseur has their own preferred, super-secret, “I swear by this” cooking method. Round these parts, we're partial to broiling steak for that perfect mix of seared outside and perfectly pink center. Broiling a steak locks in those flavorful juices with a quick, high heat sear.

What is the best ribeye steak seasoning? ›

What seasoning goes well with ribeye? Basic ribeye seasoning is usually just salt and pepper. But ribeye steak also works well with other herbs and spices, including basil, cinnamon, rosemary, paprika, and minced onions.

How long to pan sear 1 inch ribeye? ›

How long should you sear a ribeye on each side? Sear the steaks for three to four minutes on each side, or until a crust has formed for a 1-inch thick steak. If your steak is 2 inches, sear for five to six minutes per side.

How do you get the best sear on a ribeye? ›

How to Sear Ribeye Steak
  1. Dry and season the steak. Pat the steak dry of excess moisture; dry steaks brown better. ...
  2. Really heat the pan. Heat a little bit of vegetable oil in a medium frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until you see a wisp of smoke. ...
  3. Flip often. ...
  4. Finish with butter. ...
  5. Rest the steak.
Jul 22, 2023

Should you cook a ribeye fast or slow? ›

How Long Should You Cook a Ribeye Steak? Cooked over high heat, a thick ribeye steak (1.5 to 2 inches thick) will cook in approximately 10 minutes, about 5 minutes on each side.

How do steakhouses get their steaks so tender? ›

Ever heard the terms dry-aged, wet-aged? Have any idea what they mean? Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Wet aging is done by vacuum packing the meat and letting it age in its own juices.

What is the best tenderizer for ribeye steak? ›

Because a ribeye is generally a fairly tender cut of meat, you don't have to dramatically tenderize it. But, it can benefit from certain tenderizing methods. To tenderize a ribeye, you have several options. Marinades that contain ingredients like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar help break down connective tissues.

Do you cook steak in a cast iron skillet or oil? ›

A scorching skillet delivers the best sear when cooking steak in a cast iron skillet. Add 1–2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or butter to the pan (enough to coat the bottom) and immediately place your steak in the hot skillet.

What to season steak with? ›

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

Is ribeye good for pan searing? ›

Pan-searing a ribeye steak is a fantastic way to bring out its rich flavor and create a delicious crust.

How to pan fry ribeye well done? ›

directions
  1. Wash and rinse steak.
  2. Rub steak with olive oil.
  3. Season with the salt and pepper, put aside.
  4. Cut onions and sauté in 1 tbsp butter and put it aside.
  5. Add 1 tbsp butter to skillet, and add steak.
  6. Fry each side for 8 minutes on med low heat.
  7. If the pan begins to dry time after time, add water, NOT OIL.

What kind of butter does Gordon Ramsay use? ›

Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter with Sea Salt

Every professional chef I've ever worked with is a snob about butter. And rightfully so! Butter can really make or break a simple dish. Because of this, I'm supplying Gordon with our favorite butter: Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter with Sea Salt.

How to pan fry dry aged ribeye? ›

Originally Answered: How do you cook a dry aged steak in a skillet? season your board liberally and rub the steak into it on both sides. Heat the skillet and apply oil and butter. Put the steak on for 3 minutes either side for rare, and 4 minutes for well done, 6 minutes for no red at all.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6283

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.