Butter-Basted, Pan Seared Rib-Eye Steak

Butter-Basted Rib-Eye
The Spruce
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 2 servings

Informally, we call this dish "steak in a pan with butter" after a scene in an early Mad Men episode, even though we never saw Betty cook the dish. The method actually comes from Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse; the basting creates an amazing crust and the frequent flipping ensures that the steak cooks evenly. Don't worry about a large amount of butter—almost all of it stays behind in the pan. You can also use strip steaks or hanger steak with this method, as long as they're close to 2 inches thick. Porterhouse and T-bones don't work as well; the center bone keeps the steak from browning evenly. A steak this thick is a lot of meat for two, but a thinner steak will overcook by the time the crust is achieved. (The leftovers are great in sandwiches or beef stroganoff.)

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. At least two hours before cooking, remove the steak from refrigerator and salt it liberally on both sides.

    Seasoned ribeyes.
     The Spruce
  3. When ready to cook, heat a heavy cast iron skillet over medium-high until the handle is very warm and a drop of water bounces in the pan. (Although cast iron is best because of its heat retention, any heavy-bottomed skillet will work. The pan should be large enough to hold the steak with enough extra space to get a basting spoon alongside the steak.) Depending on your cooktop, the size of the pan, and how you want your steak cooked, this might take five to 20 minutes.​

    Heat a pan.
     The Spruce
  4. Pat the steak dry. When the pan is hot, place the steak on one of its edges in the pan. Cook for one minute, then rotate to another edge. Continue until the entire circumference of the steak is seared.

    Searing the ribeye.
     The Spruce
  5. Remove the pan from the burner and place the steak on a plate. Turn the heat to medium-low. Wait one minute, then add the butter and let it melt. Depending on the size of the pan, you may need more or less butter. You want enough to spoon up easily for basting.

    Melting butter.
     The Spruce
  6. Return the steak to the pan, this time laying it on one side.

    Basting ribeye in butter.
     The Spruce
  7. Cook for one minute, basting the steak with the butter. Flip and cook for another minute, still basting. Repeat this five times, then check the temperature by inserting a probe or instant-read thermometer sideways into the steak at least two inches. You're looking for 120 F for medium-rare. It probably won't be there yet, so continue flipping and basting. You may have to do as many as ten or twelve flips.

    Basting a ribeye with butter.
     The Spruce
  8. Remove the steak to a rack. Let rest ten minutes.

    Resting ribeye steak.
     The Spruce
  9. Slice into 3/8-thick slices and serve. Top with cooked mushrooms and red wine sauce, if desired.

    Butter-basted ribeye steak.
     The Spruce
  10. Enjoy!

Tips

  • With a steak this thick, it may be more than enough for one meal, depending on your appetite. If you have leftovers, these are all great ideas for using up the rest.
  • If you see standing rib roasts on sale, have the butcher cut a two-inch section (one rib). They'll call it a roast; we call it a steak.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
522 Calories
54g Fat
0g Carbs
11g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 522
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 54g 69%
Saturated Fat 32g 161%
Cholesterol 155mg 52%
Sodium 345mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 19mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 132mg 3%
*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.)

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