The PerfectAge Kitchen

The PerfectAge Kitchen
🥩 How to Pan-Sear a 1.25" Bone-In Ribeye Steak (Medium Rare)
by Wayne Chu on Jul 11 2025
Ingredients:
1 Bone-In Ribeye Steak (about 1.25 inches thick)
Kosher salt or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
High smoke point oil (e.g. canola, grapeseed, or beef tallow)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2–3 garlic cloves (lightly crushed)
Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
Step 1: Bring to Room Temperature
Remove steak from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Step 2: Seasoning
Pat the steak dry with paper towels.
Generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
For enhanced flavor and crust, you can salt the steak 10–30 minutes in advance.
Step 3: Searing in a Cast Iron or Heavy Pan
Preheat the Pan:
Heat your skillet over high heat until it's smoking hot.
Sear the First Side:
Add a small amount of oil.
Lay the steak bone side out, and sear without moving for about 3.5 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms.
Flip and Add Aromatics:
Flip the steak.
Add butter, garlic, and herbs to the pan.
Sear for another 3 minutes while spooning the melted butter and aromatics over the steak continuously (this is called basting).
Check Doneness:
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest part of the steak. For medium rare, aim for an internal temp of 130–135°F (54–57°C).
If you don't have a thermometer, press the steak—it should feel springy but not too soft.
Optional Edge Sear:
Hold the steak with tongs and sear the bone or fat cap side for about 30–60 seconds for extra flavor.
Step 4: Rest the Steak
Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Slice the steak off the bone, then slice against the grain into thick strips.
Optionally sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.
Doneness Guide (for 1.25" thick steak):
Doneness
Internal Temp (°F)
Time per Side
Rare
120–125°F
~2.5 min
Medium Rare
130–135°F
~3.5 min
Medium
140–145°F
~4.5 min
Medium Well
150–155°F
~5 min
Well Done
160°F+
~6 min