How to Cook T-Bone in the Oven

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If you’ve ever ordered a T-bone steak from a restaurant, there’s a good chance it was probably grilled. However, this large, enticing cut of beef can also cook in the oven after getting a quick sear in a pan. And, if you’re making it at home, learning how to cook T-bone in the oven can help you get dinner on the table quickly and easily.


Follow our guide to learn all about cooking T-bone in the oven, from preparing the steak to checking its temperature.

Preparing T-Bone for the Oven

About 45 minutes before you’re ready to cook T-bone, salt it on both sides. Then, leave it at room temperature. This gives enough time for the salt to create a brine, allowing the steak to crisp up when cooking. It also leaves room for the steak to come up in temperature for a more even cook in the oven.

Then, prepare a cast-iron skillet with one tablespoon of butter. Heat to high. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Be sure to have an oven rack in the middle slot. Finally, spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. 

Oven-Cooked T-Bone Cooking Time

The interesting thing about T-bone steak is that it’s half tenderloin and half strip steak, so each side of the bone can cook a little differently. Still, it’s possible to achieve a complete cook to your ideal doneness level in the oven. 

T-bones vary in size, so cooking times can also vary. Generally, oven-cooked ribeye takes 3-5 minutes to sear on each side, and between 10-20 minutes to finish in the oven. 

Final Temperature

The chart below shows the temperature ranges your thermometer should show after removing T-bone from the oven and after it rests. For medium-rare, the thermometer should read 120-125℉ when it’s done in the oven and 130-135℉ after it rests for 5-10 minutes.

DonenessTemperature to Remove from OvenFinal Temperature
Medium-rare120-125℉130-135℉
Medium130-135℉140-145℉
Medium-well140-145℉150-155℉
Well-done150-155℉160-165℉

Medium Rare T-Bone

To cook T-bone steak in the oven to medium-rare, you’ll first want to sear it in a heated cast-iron skillet over high heat with a little butter. Cook on both sides, flipping just once, until a golden-brown crust forms — usually between 3-5 minutes. Then, transfer to a lightly oiled baking sheet and place the steaks on the middle oven rack in an oven preheated to 350. Cook for 10-20 minutes until your desired doneness level temperature range is reached.

Oven Cooking Tips for T-Bone

Follow along with the tips below to learn how to cook T-bone steak in the oven.

Season with Salt and Give It Time

Even if you don’t typically use salt when cooking, consider using it with T-bone steak. Salt helps brine the steak, which gives it a better sear in the pan before popping it into the oven. Searing leads to better flavor and texture. If you can’t or don’t want to use salt, find other ways to add some flavor to your steak, like sprinkling black pepper on it just before cooking or adding a bit of your favorite steak seasoning.

Brown It Up First (or After)

We recommend searing T-bone along with cooking it in the oven if you prefer that rich golden-brown crust on the outside. While the oven can cook T-bone to the proper temperature, it won’t necessarily crisp the outside unless you use the broiler, but the broiler may not cook the inside of the steak enough. 

Instead, sear T-bone in a skillet before moving it to the oven, as we’ll describe how to do in this guide. Alternatively, you can sear the steak after it cooks in the oven. This is known as the reverse sear method.

Check the Temperature with a Thermometer

Use a meat thermometer to check your steak’s temperature after taking it out of the oven. Put the probe in the thickest part of the T-bone, and check the reading against the temperature table above. For medium-rare, pull the steak from the oven when the thickest part reads 120-125℉. Then, check the temperature again after the steak rests for 5-10 minutes.

Use Herbs for Extra Flavor

When searing T-bone, consider adding some extra flavor to the pan along with the butter. Herbs and spices, like cayenne pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme, all lend well to the steak’s overall flavor. Drizzle some of the herb butter over the steak in the oven to keep those flavors moving through your steak as it cooks.

Choosing the Right Cut

Not sure what T-bone in the display case to choose? We suggest going with steak marked as USDA Prime, which is reserved for cuts that are high in quality and have excellent marbling. If it’s within your budget, Wagyu is also a prime choice.

As for wet-aged and dry-aged steaks, either one is a worthy option for your dinner table. The aging process helps break down tough steak fibers and brings extra flavor and a better texture to each T-bone. Try our wet-aged T-bone steaks

Oven Cooking T-Bone Instructions

Use the step-by-step guide along with the recipe below to learn how to cook T-bone in the oven.

Step 1: Prepare to Cook T-Bone in the Oven

This step takes 45 minutes, so plan accordingly. Salt the steaks on both sides, using your fingers to rub the salt into the steak. Allow them to sit at room temperature for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and, about 10 minutes before cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Sear the T-Bone

Prep a cast-iron skillet by adding butter or oil and preheating it to high heat. Sprinkle your choice seasonings on both sides of the steaks. Add steaks to the skillet. Sear for 3-5 minutes. You should see a brownish crust form on the outside. Use tongs to flip the steak to the other side and sear for another 3-5 minutes.

Step 3: Cook T-Bone in the Oven 

Place T-bone steaks on the rimmed baking sheet and into the preheated oven on the middle rack. Set a timer for ten minutes. Check the temperature of the thickest part of a T-bone to determine its doneness based on the temperature chart above for your doneness level. If needed, cook for another ten minutes or so until the steaks reach your desired temperature.

Step 4: Take Time to Rest the Steak

Transfer steaks to a clean plate tented with foil to rest for 5-10 minutes. After resting, check that the temperature of the steak reaches the ideal final temperature range for your doneness level.

Oven-Cooked T-Bone Recipe

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Salt the T-bone steaks generously on both sides. Keep at room temperature for 45 minutes prior to cooking. Lightly spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. About 10 minutes before cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
  • Add butter or oil to a cast-iron skillet and heat to high. Sprinkle steaks with ground black pepper and other preferred seasonings to taste. Sear on each side for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
  • Move steaks to the baking sheet and add to the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 10-20 minutes until a thermometer reads within the first temperature range for your desired doneness level based on the above temperature chart.
  • Transfer steaks to a clean plate tented with foil to rest for 5-10 minutes and check the temperature before serving.

Other Ways to Cook T-Bone

From oven-cooked T-bone to grilling up a juicy steak, there are several ways to cook this delicious cut. Here are some of the top cooking methods for T-bone steak:

  • Grilled T-bone steak
  • Sous vide T-bone steak
  • Reverse seared T-bone steak
  • Pan-seared T-bone steak
  • Slow-cooked T-bone steak

Your Guide to Cooking T-Bone Steak in the Oven

Order T-bone steak online from Chicago Steak Company. We offer USDA Prime wet-aged T-bone and Premium Angus T-bone steaks that are aged for 4-6 weeks for optimal texture and flavor. Your order comes individually registered to ensure quality every step of the way. 

cooked t-bone steak served

Oven-Cooked T-Bone Recipe

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 14oz t-bone steaks
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter or olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Salt the T-bone steaks generously on both sides. Keep at room temperature for 45 minutes prior to cooking. Lightly spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. About 10 minutes before cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Add butter or oil to a cast-iron skillet and heat to high. Sprinkle steaks with ground black pepper and other preferred seasonings to taste. Sear on each side for 3-5 minutes until golden brown
  • Move steaks to the baking sheet and add to the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 10-20 minutes until a thermometer reads within the first temperature range for your desired doneness level based on the above temperature chart
  • Transfer steaks to a clean plate tented with foil to rest for 5-10 minutes and check the temperature before serving