You love the crust of a well cooked steak, but it’s not always so easy to pull off. How do steakhouses get it to look and taste so good night after night? With this recipe for Dirty Cowboy Ribeyes, it’s all about the cut and the sear.
Maybe you’ve heard them called dirty steaks or “caveman style” steaks… when you cook a ribeye not over charcoal but directly on charcoal!
Ribeyes are perfect for this recipe because of the fat that renders while searing to form a deep, delicious crust! In fact, the reason we call it a cowboy steak is because thick-cut ribeyes are big, hearty, and rugged. They can be made just as easily around a campfire as they can on a charcoal grill.
If you’ve never tried it, you might be wondering if the coals, ashes, or debris will stick to the steak. The answer is… yeah a little, but it all adds to the flavor. Here are a few extra tips for making the perfect Dirty Cowboy Ribeye:
We hope you enjoy this recipe for Dirty Cowboy Ribeyes.
With your lump coals white hot, place your ribeyes directly on top of the coals, and cook roughly 3 minutes for rare, 3.5 minutes for medium rare, and 4 minutes for medium.
About halfway through searing the first side, rotate your ribeyes 90º to make sure the entire surface has contact with the searing coals.
Flip your steaks, and repeat the same steps for the second side. (During cooking, the fat from your steaks will render down onto the coals. When it’s time to flip them, remove the steak for a moment and stir the coals. )
Repeat the same steps on the second side, rotating 90º halfway through. For rare (125ºF), cook another 2 minutes. For medium rare (135ºF), cook another 3 minutes, and for medium (140º), cook another 3 minutes.
Remove the ribeyes with a trusty set of tongs, brush off any excess ash, and let rest for 10 minutes so the juices inside can settle.
Serve and enjoy!
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