How to Cook Tomahawk Ribeye in the Oven

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Tomahawk ribeye is surely a sight to behold on your plate. This eye-catching cut includes the popular ribeye, a steak cut that people love for its delicious taste and tender texture. However, unlike a regular ribeye, the tomahawk ribeye is still on the bone, making for a picture-worthy steak dinner.


Bone-in steaks typically cook a little differently than boneless steaks. Even if you’ve had experience cooking ribeye, this guide on how to cook tomahawk ribeye in the oven can help you the best results.

Preparing Tomahawk Ribeye for the Oven

Salting tomahawk ribeye before cooking it is the key to giving it some extra flavor and helping it crisp up when searing. Remove it from the refrigerator 45 minutes before you’re ready to cook it. Season both sides with salt. Then, let it rest at room temperature.

When it’s close to cooking time, preheat the oven to 425 degrees and a cast-iron skillet with one tablespoon of oil or butter over high heat.  

Oven-Cooked Tomahawk Ribeye Cooking Time

To reach medium-rare, a tomahawk ribeye needs about 5-6 minutes to sear in a skillet and another 20 minutes to cook in the oven, depending on its thickness. With preparation and resting time, you can expect a tomahawk ribeye to be ready in about an hour and a half.

Final Temperature

Use the first set of temperature ranges in the chart below to know when to remove tomahawk ribeye steaks from the oven. Then, refer to the second set of temperatures as the final temperature range for your steaks to reach after resting. 

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 Tomahawk Ribeye

Medium-rare is one of the best cooks for a tomahawk ribeye. It leaves plenty of pink in the middle, resulting in a tender, juicy steak. To achieve it, start by searing your seasoned steak over high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Then, transfer it to a preheated oven to cook for 15-20 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check its temperature. It should read between 120-125℉ to be safe to remove from the oven. Then, rest on a plate loosely tented with foil for 5-10 minutes. The final temperature should read between 130-135℉.

Oven Cooking Tips for Tomahawk Ribeye

The following tips can help you achieve the best oven cook for tomahawk ribeye steaks. 

Rest at Room Temperature Before Cooking

The 45-minute rest period we suggest before cooking steak serves two purposes. One, it brings the steak up in temperature so that it cooks more evenly, as cold steak might sear on the outside but remain very pink in the middle. Two, it gives the salt time to brine, allowing the steak to crisp when you sear it and as it cooks in the oven.

Use a Cast-Iron Skillet

A cast-iron skillet is a must-have for steak enthusiasts. Not only does it do a fantastic job at searing tomahawk ribeye, but it’s also oven-safe. That means that you can transfer it directly from the stovetop to the oven to continue the tomahawk ribeye cooking process. You’ll keep all the flavor of the steak intact as you move it from stove to oven, too.

Check the Temperature Accurately

Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of tomahawk steak. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat for the most accurate reading of its internal temperature. Do this before letting the steak rest. Use the chart above as a reference for when to remove the steaks from the oven and what temperature they should reach before eating.

Choosing the Right Cut

Tomahawk steak isn’t a cut you’ll likely find in the grocery store. It’s more of a specialty cut of beef, so you may need to visit a butcher or visit Chicago Steak Company online to get your fix.

From there, it’s a matter of navigating the different kinds of cuts. USDA Prime is the highest ranking the USDA gives steak based on its marbling and color. Premium Angus is a step below that label, offering a more affordable option that’s still high-quality. 

Finally, dry-aging or wet-aging is a matter of preference. Both processes take several weeks to age steaks, which breaks down tough fibers for tenderization and flavor. Dry-aged steaks are usually a little more expensive because the process takes longer.

Oven Cooking Tomahawk Ribeye Instructions

Learn how to cook tomahawk ribeye in the oven with these step-by-step instructions. 

Step 1: Season and Prepare

Start by salting the steak on both sides. Use your fingers to rub the salt into the meat. Then, let the steak rest at room temperature for 45 minutes. 

About 10 minutes prior to cooking, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Add one tablespoon of oil to a cast-iron skillet and heat to high. 

Step 2: Sear the Steaks

Sprinkle black pepper on both sides of the steak. Sear the steaks in the skillet on each side for 2-3 minutes. You should see the steak turn golden-brown. Flip only once using tongs. 

Step 3: Finish Them Off in the Oven

Transfer the skillet to the oven’s middle rack. Cook for 15-20 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness. Use the temperature range chart above to determine when to remove the steak from the oven. If necessary for thicker steaks, turn the oven temperature down to 350 degrees and cook for a few more minutes to bring the internal steak temperature up.

Step 4: Rest Before Enjoying

Move steak to a clean plate or cutting board. Loosely tent the steak with aluminum foil. Rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into two pieces. Enjoy!

Oven-Cooked Tomahawk Ribeye Recipe

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Season both sides of the tomahawk ribeye with salt. Leave at room temperature for 45 minutes. Heat a cast-iron skillet with oil to high, and preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • Sprinkle black pepper on steaks. Transfer steaks to the skillet. Sear on each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms.
  • Move the skillet to the middle oven rack. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until a meat thermometer reaches the temperature range for your preferred doneness.
  • Rest for 5-10 minutes on a plate tented with foil. Enjoy!

Other Ways to Cook Tomahawk Ribeye

There are many other ways to cook tomahawk ribeye, too. Here are a few to try in your kitchen:

  • Grilled tomahawk ribeye
  • Sous vide tomahawk ribeye
  • Reverse seared tomahawk ribeye
  • Pan-seared tomahawk ribeye

Your Guide to Cooking Tomahawk Ribeye in the Oven

Order tomahawk ribeye steaks from Chicago Steak Company. Our selection includes wet and dry-aged beef and Premium Angus and USDA Prime steaks. When you place your order, we’ll individually wrap your steaks and flash-freeze them to ensure freshness and quality. See the Chicago Steak Company difference for yourself.

cooked tomahawk steak

Oven-Cooked Tomahawk Ribeye

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

Ingredients
  

  • 1 30oz dry-aged tomahawk ribeye steak
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt
  • ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Season both sides of the tomahawk ribeye with salt. Leave at room temperature for 45 minutes. Heat a cast-iron skillet with oil to high, and preheat the oven to 425 degrees
  • Sprinkle black pepper on steaks. Transfer steaks to the skillet. Sear on each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms
  • Move the skillet to the middle oven rack. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until a meat thermometer reaches the temperature range for your preferred doneness
  • Rest for 5-10 minutes on a plate tented with foil. Enjoy!