Ribeye is a popular steak cut with mouths watering at just the name. Regardless if you are a steak connoisseur, or this is your first foray into the delicious world of steak a ribeye has many qualities that make it a delightful addition to the list of best cuts of steak. 

What Is a Ribeye Steak?

This popular cut comes from a section of the rib cage, just below the backbone. Because of its location, this muscle is seldom used, resulting in a tender cut of beef. Ribeye is named for the shape of the cut, which features a circle of heavily marbled muscle (the longissimus dorsi) surrounded by the semispinalis and complexus muscles. While each section is flavorful in its own right, all together they meld into a delicious, tender, perfect cut. 

Bone-in vs. Boneless

While both varieties are tender and delicious, they are also quite different. Boneless ribeye steaks tend to cook more evenly, and the melted fat makes the steak more buttery. A bone-in ribeye steak, on the other hand, tends to be a little more juicy. The insulating properties of the bone allow the meat to retain more of its juices while it’s being cooked. However, it takes a little more culinary skill to cook a bone-in ribeye, as the meat furthest from the bone will heat more quickly than the section next to the bone. 

The Best Ways to Enjoy a Ribeye 

You can enjoy your ribeye steak in many ways, from rare to well done, alone or with sides. It’s all about personal preference. If you are new to the world of steak, these are our favorite ways to dig into a ribeye. 

Cooked to Perfection

Most chefs agree that for a thick cut of steak like a ribeye, medium rare is best. This temperature gives the fat enough time to melt and render into the meat, without drying it out. However, your steak should be cooked according to your personal preference, and any good steakhouse will allow you to choose your own level of doneness. 

With the Best Sides

Since a ribeye steak is buttery, we find the best sides to pair with it are asparagus and mashed potatoes. The bitter notes of the asparagus help to balance the richness of the ribeye, while the mashed potatoes add a contrast in texture to the meatiness of the steak. A side of potatoes can even help you digest your steak better.

With the Best Wines

Our favorite wine pairings for a ribeye are ones that give you a bit of a zing to go with the meaty, rich flavor of your steak. A red zinfandel, like this Rombauer Zinfandel, is particularly nice. The tart and fruity flavors of this wine make it a well-suited paring for the ribeye cut. 

The Juiciest Ribeye in Chandler, Arizona

If you are thinking of enjoying a juicy ribeye steak the next time you're in Downtown Chandler, please visit us here at DC STEAKHOUSE. We serve only the finest, certified Angus beef, and our steaks and sides are always cooked to perfection. Make a reservation today so you can sample the exceptional flavor of a ribeye steak cooked by our chefs.

Images used under creative commons license - commercial use (6/28/24). Photo by Sergey Kotenev on Unsplash.