POV How to Cook a Steak

POV How to Cook a Steak is a medium American recipe that serves 2. 720 calories per serving. Recipe by J. Kenji López-Alt on YouTube.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 55 min

Cost: $17.10 total, $8.55 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1.25 lb Ribeye Steak (prime ribeye, about 2‑inch thick)
  • 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt (coarse, for dry brine)
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (for initial sear)
  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (cut into pieces for basting)
  • 1 sprig Fresh Rosemary (optional, for flavor)
  • 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme (optional, for flavor)
  • 1 piece Shallot (roughly chopped)
  • 1 clove Garlic Clove (crushed, skin left on)
  • to taste Black Pepper (optional, added before searing)
  • 2 tablespoons Bourbon (for deglazing pan)
  • 1 teaspoon Whole Grain Mustard (adds tang to sauce)
  • 0.25 cup Chicken Stock (preferably homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon Powdered Gelatin (optional, to thicken sauce if using store‑bought stock)

Instructions

  1. Dry Brine the Steak

    Generously sprinkle the ribeye on all sides with kosher salt, then place it on a wire rack set over a plate so air can circulate. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and refrigerate uncovered for 24–48 hours.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Prep Aromatics

    Roughly chop the shallot, smash the garlic clove (skin on), and keep rosemary and thyme sprigs whole.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Pat the Steak Dry

    Remove the steak from the fridge, discard the towel, and pat the surface completely dry with paper towels.

    Time: PT3M

  4. Preheat the Skillet

    Place the heavy skillet over medium‑high heat and let it heat for about 3 minutes until a few drops of water sizzle and evaporate.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: medium-high

  5. Sear the First Side

    Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to the hot skillet, then lay the steak down away from you. Let it sit without moving for 4 minutes to develop a deep brown crust.

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: medium-high

  6. Flip and Begin Basting

    Flip the steak, add the butter, rosemary, thyme, shallot, and garlic. Tilt the pan so butter pools, then spoon the hot butter over the steak every 15 seconds.

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: medium-high

  7. Cook to Desired Doneness

    Continue flipping and basting until the internal temperature reaches 120 °F for rare or 130 °F for medium‑rare. Remove the steak 5–10 °F early; it will carry over cook while resting.

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: medium-high

  8. Rest the Steak

    Transfer the steak to a cutting board, loosely tent with foil, and let rest for 8 minutes.

    Time: PT8M

  9. Make the Bourbon‑Mustard Pan Sauce

    While the steak rests, return the skillet to medium heat. Carefully add bourbon to deglaze, letting any flame subside. Stir in mustard, then add chicken stock (and gelatin if using). Reduce by half, then whisk in a knob of butter off the heat until emulsified.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: medium

  10. Slice and Serve

    Slice the rested steak against the grain into ½‑inch slices, arrange on a plate, drizzle with pan sauce, and serve immediately.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
720
Protein
55 g
Carbohydrates
2 g
Fat
55 g
Fiber
0 g

Dietary info: Gluten-Free, Contains Dairy, Contains Alcohol

Allergens: Dairy, Alcohol

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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POV How to Cook a Steak

Recipe by J. Kenji López-Alt

A prime ribeye steak dry‑brined overnight, pan‑seared in a heavy skillet, basted with butter, rosemary, thyme, shallot and garlic, then finished with a quick bourbon‑mustard pan sauce. The method yields a deep, caramelized crust, a juicy medium‑rare interior, and a rich sauce perfect for a steak‑house style dinner.

MediumAmericanServes 2

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
39m
Prep
4m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
53m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$17.10
Total cost
$8.55
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Dry brine the steak for 24‑48 hours uncovered
  • Pat the steak completely dry before searing
  • Achieve a deep, non‑burnt crust on the first side
  • Frequent butter basting while flipping
  • Use an instant‑read thermometer and pull 5‑10 °F early
  • Rest the steak before slicing
  • Deglaze with bourbon and finish sauce with butter

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can splatter; keep face away from the pan.
  • Bourbon deglazing may cause a brief flame; remove pan from burner before adding.
  • Use oven mitts when handling the heavy skillet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of ribeye steak in American cuisine?

A

The ribeye, cut from the rib primal, has long been a staple of American steakhouse culture, prized for its marbling and rich flavor. It became popular in the early 20th century as rail‑car diners and later as classic "prime rib" dishes, symbolizing indulgent, high‑quality beef.

cultural
Q

What traditional regional variations of ribeye steak exist in United States cuisine?

A

In the Southwest, ribeye is often grilled over mesquite and served with chimichurri; in the Midwest, it may be dry‑aged and cooked on a cast‑iron griddle. New England steakhouses favor a simple butter‑baste and pepper crust, while California chefs might pair it with avocado‑lime salsa.

cultural
Q

How is ribeye steak traditionally served in classic American steakhouses?

A

Classic American steakhouses serve ribeye whole, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, pan‑seared or grilled to a caramelized crust, rested, then sliced or presented whole with a side of steak‑house butter or a reduction sauce such as a red‑wine demi‑glace.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is ribeye steak traditionally associated with in American culture?

A

Ribeye is a go‑to for holidays like Thanksgiving, Fourth of July barbecues, and celebratory dinners such as birthdays or anniversaries, where a high‑quality cut signals a special occasion.

cultural
Q

What makes this dry‑brined ribeye steak special compared to other American steak preparations?

A

Dry‑brining overnight draws out moisture, then re‑absorbs it, creating a juicier interior while the uncovered rack dries the surface for a superior crust. The butter‑baste and bourbon‑mustard sauce add layers of richness not always present in a plain grilled ribeye.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making dry‑brined ribeye steak?

A

Common errors include wrapping the steak tightly after salting (traps moisture), not patting it dry before searing, using too high heat that burns the crust before the interior reaches temperature, and neglecting a thermometer, which leads to over‑cooking.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe use frequent flipping and butter basting instead of a single sear?

A

Frequent flipping distributes heat more evenly and prevents one side from overheating, while butter basting supplies additional fat that speeds heat transfer, renders the steak’s own fat, and creates a uniform, golden crust.

technical
Q

Can I make the bourbon‑mustard pan sauce ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, the sauce can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Cool it quickly, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and gently reheat over low heat, whisking in a little extra butter if it looks thin.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel J. Kenji López‑Alt specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel J. Kenji López‑Alt focuses on science‑based cooking techniques, detailed recipe breakdowns, and practical kitchen hacks that help home cooks achieve restaurant‑quality results.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel J. Kenji López‑Alt's approach to American steak cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

J. Kenji López‑Alt emphasizes the underlying physics of heat transfer, dry‑brining, and precise temperature control, whereas many other channels rely more on intuition or traditional methods without explaining the science behind each step.

channel
Q

What other American steak recipes is the YouTube channel J. Kenji López‑Alt known for?

A

Kenji is known for his reverse‑sear steak method, his detailed guide to perfect pan‑seared steak, and his "Steakhouse‑Style" butter‑basted ribeye videos, all of which showcase his systematic approach to achieving optimal flavor and texture.

channel
Q

How do I know when the ribeye steak is done cooking without a thermometer?

A

While a thermometer is the most reliable tool, you can gauge doneness by the firmness of the steak: a rare steak feels soft like the fleshy part of your hand, medium‑rare feels like the area between thumb and forefinger when relaxed, and well‑done feels firm like a fully extended thumb. However, Kenji recommends using a thermometer for consistency.

technical

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