How to Cook the Perfect Steak at Home

Unless it includes a free voucher for more steak, it’s rarely worth it to pay 50 bucks for any cut of meat, especially when it’s this easy to cook one at home. I bought this prime ribeye steak for $25, and cooked it in a skillet to medium-rare perfection in the time it takes to even get noticed by a maître d’. 

This is a 16-ounce prime ribeye steak, cut ½-inch thick. You want to choose the freshest, best quality beef you can find. Marbling means it's fatty and full of flavor, so white stuff is good. Let your steak come to room temperature. This will ensure it cooks through evenly.

Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Place the steak upright on its fatty edge to render fat into the pan. You may have to use tongs to hold it in place.

Rotate the steak in various positions to get a uniform, browned crust. There should be enough rendered fat to cover the bottom of the pan after 5-10 minutes. If there’s more, drain out the excess fat.

Lay the steak on one of its flat sides and cook for 5 minutes.

Ditto for the other side, 5 minutes.

Turn off heat and transfer steak to a plate.

Carefully pour the rendered fat into a small dish and discard.

Return steak to the pan and add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed.

Don't be shy, make it snow, baby!

Using a spoon, constantly baste the steak with melted butter, for 10 minutes.

Flip the steak, sprinkle more salt on it, and cook for 10 more minutes.

Transfer the steak to a plate and rest it in a warm spot for 15 minutes (you can stick it in the oven at 150℉).

Cut it into slices, against the grain, and eat immediately with your bare hands. Or a fork and knife if you must, but something about eating meat with your hands makes it better.

Even if it's coming from your own greasy hands.