The Best Cast Iron RibEye with Cowboy Butter
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Happy Lush!Cooking over an open flame or in a cast iron skillet just feels right—especially when making a great steak. The first time I attempted campfire cooking was in Shenandoah National Park, where it rained almost the entire time. 🌧️ We still managed to cook bacon, eggs, bagel sandwiches, and burgers over the fire, but we were running in and out of the fifth wheel between showers.
Shenandoah is stunning—rolling hills, misty mornings, and historic buildings make you feel like you’ve entered another era. One day, we set out for what was supposed to be a quick and easy hike… but ended up getting completely lost and adding an unexpected five miles to our adventure. 🥾 Ellie was furious (she has never been a hiking fan) and was convinced a bear would eat us. Considering we had already seen quite a few black bears in the area, I couldn’t blame her. To calm her down, we played One Direction on repeat—Kyle’s favorite band at the time—hoping the music would scare away any wildlife. 🎶🐻
When we finally returned to the fifth wheel, I was too exhausted to cook anything special. I probably made hot dogs. 😜 But what I wish I had made was this Cast Iron Rib Eye with Cowboy Butter. It’s rich, buttery, and packed with flavor, the kind of meal that turns an exhausting day into a good one. And it’s so easy, you can’t mess it up!
That night, I do remember sitting by the fire with a glass of wine, playing an American Revolution trivia card game. Ellie answered every single question like a pro. That was when she became obsessed with that time period, leading to her love of Hamilton. I remember feeling like a homeschooling champion—though, in reality, I wasn’t exactly the most dedicated homeschooling mom. 🤔 What I do know for sure is how to pair a great wine with a great steak, and this ribeye deserves the perfect bottle. 🍷
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
✔️ Perfectly seared with a rich, golden crust
✔️ Cowboy butter adds bold, garlicky, herby flavor
✔️ Simple and foolproof—cast iron cooking makes it easy
✔️ Pairs beautifully with wine for the ultimate meal
Ingredients 🛒
For the RibEye
☐ 2 ribeye steaks (about 1½ inches thick) 🥩
☐ 1 tablespoon avocado oil 🥑
☐ 1 teaspoon kosher salt 🧂
☐ ½ teaspoon black pepper 🌿
☐ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 🌶️
☐ 1 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
☐ 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 🧈
For the Cowboy Butter
☐ ½ cup unsalted butter, melted 🧈
☐ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 🌿
☐ 1 tablespoon lemon juice 🍋
☐ 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
☐ 1 tablespoon fresh parsley 🌿
☐ 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 🌶️
☐ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 🌶️
☐ ½ teaspoon salt 🧂
How to Make Cast Iron RibEye with Cowboy Butter 🍳🔥
Step 1: Prep the Steaks
Let the ribeyes sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps them cook evenly. Pat them dry and generously season both sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. I use little pinch bowls to prepare the seasoning.
Step 2: Sear the Steaks
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the avocado oil and let it shimmer. Place the steaks in the skillet and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping once. I use a 12” Lodge cast iron skillet.
Step 3: Baste with Butter
In the last minute of cooking, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet and spoon it over the steaks. This gives them a rich, golden crust and locks in flavor. Remove from heat and let the steaks rest for 5 minutes. Just hold the pan and tilt it toward you, then spoon the butter over the steaks. SO GOOD!
Step 4: Make the Cowboy Butter
While the steaks rest, mix all the cowboy butter ingredients in a small bowl. Spoon the butter over the steaks just before serving. I rolled the prepared butter in parchment to make a log, then stuck it in the fridge for 30 minutes. It’s very fancy!
The Best Wines to Pair with RibEye 🍷
This steak is rich and buttery, so it needs a wine that can hold its own. Here are three amazing pairings:
Barolo (Italy) 🇮🇹 – A bold, structured red wine with flavors of dark cherry, leather, and spice. The tannins balance the richness of the rib eye. Mauro Molino is one of my favorites!
Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington) 🍇 – Dark fruit flavors and firm tannins make this wine a perfect match for a well-seared steak. Figgins is a splurge, but well worth it!
Chardonnay (California) 🍏 – A full-bodied, oak-aged chardonnay with a buttery texture and bright acidity contrasts beautifully with the cowboy butter. Cloud Break is a great value!
A Simple but Beautiful Table Setting ✨
For this meal, I wanted to keep things simple but elegant. A white table runner made the perfect neutral backdrop, allowing the Crow Canyon red dishes to pop. Fresh flowers and candles added a warm, inviting atmosphere, making the meal feel extra special without being overcomplicated. Sometimes, all it takes is a few thoughtful details to elevate a dinner at home.
If you’re looking for beautiful and functional pieces, here are my favorites:
Crow Canyon Red Dishes – Enamelware that’s durable, stylish, and perfect for a rustic-meets-elegant look. I love these dishes for low-country boil crab bakes, cowboy dinners, and even for Christmas Eve. The red is what I have and I think they are great for every season.
Riedel Wine Glasses—These high-quality glasses make any wine taste even better. If you just have one set of nice wine glasses, these are what you should have. They are all-purpose, and I use them for red, white, and even sparkling wine!
My Must-Have Cooking Tools 🔪🔥
A cast iron skillet is essential for getting that perfect steak crust, and a few other tools make this recipe even easier.
12-inch Cast Iron Skillet—This is the best size for cooking two steaks at once. I have this size and use it for everything.
Meat Thermometer – Ensures your steak is cooked exactly how you like it. This digital thermometer’s a game changer.
Pinch Dishes – Perfect for holding seasonings and herbs while you cook. I love these little bowls and use them for so many things!
Grab Your Free Grocery List! 🛍️
Want to make shopping easier? Download my free grocery list with everything you need for this Cast Iron Ribeye with Cowboy Butter. Plus, get exclusive wine tips and recipes by signing up for The Lush Letter below.
👉 Download the Grocery List Here!
Sometimes, the best meals aren’t the ones you plan perfectly. They’re the ones you wish you had made after an exhausting day, the kind of meal that makes you appreciate good food, good wine, and a warm place to sit. Whether you’re cooking this rib eye in a cast iron skillet at home or dreaming of making it over a campfire in a National Park, I hope you love it as much as I do.
And if you haven’t checked out my Bison Burgers with Bourbon Caramelized Onions and Sharp Cheddar, do it now!
And don’t forget the wine. 🍷 Cheers! 🥂
Courtney
