Cowboy Ribeye Steak on Ninja Woodfire Grill

By Christie Vanover | Published May 18, 2023 | Last Updated May 18, 2023

Grab some cowboy ribeye steaks. It’s time to show off what your Ninja Woodfire Grill can really do.

What is a cowboy ribeye steak

Ribeye steaks are cut from the rib primal of a cow. That primal is also where the prime rib roast comes from. When the roast is cut into steaks, you get ribeye steaks.

What makes this steak a cowboy ribeye is the length of the bone that is still attached to the meat. If the entire long rib is left in tact, it’s a tomahawk steak. If the bone is shorter, it’s considered a cowboy ribeye cut.

Because of the size of the Ninja Woodfire Grill, the cowboy steak is a better option than the tomahawk. With a tomahawk, the bone may be too long for the lid to close.

Cowboy cut steak is usually 1-1/2 to 2 inches thick, which is why this recipe uses the reverse sear method. Reverse searing is a cooking process where you smoke the meat first with indirect heat at a lower temperature. Then, you finish it on a hot grill to get the perfect sear.

If you tried to grill a thick steak over high heat, you’d end up with an overcooked steak on the outside and an undercook steak inside.

Ingredients

• Cowboy Ribeye Steaks: For the best flavor, look for bone-in steaks with superior marbling.
• Vegetable Oil: Any type of vegetable oil will work. I usually use canola oil or olive oil.
• Kosher Salt: I almost always cook with Diamond kosher salt. The flakes are course, but they also dissolve well into the meat. Don’t forget use a little salt at the end, too.
• Black Pepper: For that great peppery crust, use a coarse-ground black pepper.

How to grill cowboy ribeyes on a Ninja Grill

1. STEP ONE: Brush both sides of the bone-in ribeye steak with vegetable oil and sprinkle both sides with a generous amount of kosher salt and black pepper. Let it rest at room temperature while you heat the grill.

2. STEP TWO: For smoke flavor, add wood pellets to the fire box. Set the grill function to smoker, the temperature to 250 and the time to 1 hour. Once the grill is ready, place steaks on the grill side by side and close the lid.

3. STEP THREE: Once the steaks reach an internal temperature of 100F degrees, remove them from the grill. Change the Ninja Grill function to grill and set the temperature to high and the time to 15 minutes.

If you have the Ninja Woodfire Grill Pro, keep the thermometer in the steak. On the grill, push Preset. Select beef and choose your desired doneness.

4. STEP FOUR: When the grill is ready, return the steaks to the grill. Press down on them, so they get direct contact with the grill grate. This will help form grill marks and a great sear. Cook for 3-7 minutes per side, depending on how well you like your perfect steak.

5. STEP FIVE: Once the steak has reached your perfect temperature, remove it from the grill and let it rest on a cutting board. You can tent them with aluminum foil to keep them warm.

How to serve cowboy ribeyes

Once the steaks have rested at least 15 minutes, you can slice them in the kitchen or serve them tableside.

To slice the steaks, run your knife along the bone to remove the meat. Save that bone, someone in your life will probably want to gnaw on it.

Next, slice the meat into strips and garnish with a bit more salt and pepper. A sprinkling of fresh herbs, like thyme, is also a nice touch.

Some sides that go great with this Ninja Grilled cowboy ribeye steak recipe are Grilled Carrots in a Ninja Grill, Ninja Grilled Balsamic Brussels Sprouts or Garlic Parmesan Ranch Air Fryer Frozen Fries.

You won’t need any steak sauce, but a big glass of robust red wine like a cabernet sauvignon will make this a perfect meal.

Storage

If you have any leftover steak, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can eat it cold or reheat it. Leftover steak can also be frozen for up to six months.

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