Grilled Tomahawk Steak

A perfectly Grilled Tomahawk Steak is a beautiful way to treat yourself and your guests to a mouthwatering, steakhouse-quality meal. Grilling this impressive cut of beef will result in a perfectly charred exterior with a tender and juicy interior.

What is a Tomahawk Steak?

A tomahawk steak is a bone-in ribeye steak that’s cut with a long, Frenched bone, which gives it a striking “tomahawk” appearance (hence the name). The bone is typically around 6-8 inches long, making it look like a handle, similar to a tomahawk axe.

This cut is taken from the rib section of the cow and has a generous marbling of fat, which contributes to its tenderness and flavor. The tomahawk steak is known for its large size and dramatic presentation, making it a popular choice for special occasions, or when you want to impress guests with a steakhouse-quality meal at home.

It is essentially a ribeye with the bone left in and cleaned up (frenched), often weighing between 30 to 45 ounces when bone-in, so it’s typically meant to serve two, or more people.

Why You Should Make This Grilled Tomahawk Steak

• Impressive Presentation: A tomahawk steak is sure to wow your guests with its large size, and bone-in presentation.
• Tender and Juicy: Grilling ensures that the steak stays tender and juicy, while developing a deliciously flavorful crust.
• Simple Seasoning: With just olive oil, salt, and pepper, the natural flavors of the tomahawk ribeye steak really shine through.
• Perfect for Grilling: The high heat of the grill gives you that irresistible sear, while maintaining the steak’s tender texture.

Ingredients

• Seasoning: While salt and pepper are classic (I used both the Pepper Mafia and Sergio’s Seasonings from the iconic Golden Steer Steakhouse in Las Vegas), you can experiment with different rubs or marinades for additional flavor. A steak seasoning blend would also work well for extra richness.
• Grilling Method: For more even cooking, you could also use the two-zone method on your grill, where one side is hotter for searing and the other side is cooler for finishing the cooking process.

How to Prepare a Grilled Tomahawk Steak – Direct Sear Method

1. If possible, allow the tomahawk steak to come to room temperature for about an hour before grilling. This helps the steak sear properly and cook more evenly.
2. Preheat your grill to 400°F (about 204°C).
3. Brush both sides of the steak generously with olive oil. Season it on all sides with a salt and pepper blend, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
4. Place the steak on the grill and sear one side for about 4-6 minutes, until a nice crust forms.
5. Flip the steak over and sear the other side for another 4-6 minutes, forming a crispy crust on both sides.
6. Use tongs to hold the steak by the bone and sear the edges for 1-2 minutes per side.
7. Close the grill lid and cook the steak for 2 more minutes on each side for a medium-rare steak. Shorten or lengthen the grill time to achieve your desired level of doneness.
8. Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Alternate Grilling Method – Reverse Sear

1. Preheat the Grill:
   • Set up your grill for two-zone cooking: one side should be high heat (around 500°F/260°C) for searing, and the other side should be low heat (around 250°F/121°C) for indirect cooking.
   • If using a charcoal grill, place the coals on one side to create a hot zone and leave the other side without coals for indirect heat.
   • If using a gas grill, simply turn on one side to high heat and leave the other side off or at a low setting.
2. Cook the Steak on Indirect Heat:
   • Place the seasoned steak on the cool side of the grill (indirect heat). Close the lid and cook the steak until it reaches about 10-15°F below your target doneness. For medium-rare, aim for 115-120°F (46-49°C) internal temperature.
   • This could take around 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the thickness of the steak and the temperature of your grill.
   • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak.
3. Preheat for Searing:
   • While the steak is cooking, preheat the hot side of the grill (direct heat) to 500°F (260°C) or higher.
4. Sear the Steak:
   • Once the steak reaches the desired temperature (115-120°F for medium-rare), move it to the hot side of the grill.
   • Sear the steak for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until a nice crust forms. Be sure to sear the edges of the steak as well by holding it upright with tongs.

Internal Temperature Guide for Steak

This table will help guide you in achieving your desired steak doneness based on internal temperature:

• 120-125°F (49-52°C) for rare
• 130-135°F (54-57°C) for medium-rare
• 140-145°F (60-63°C) for medium
• 150-155°F (66-68°C) for medium-well

How to Serve and Store Leftovers

• Serve the grilled tomahawk steak with your favorite sides such as grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, and/or a Creamy Caesar Salad.
• Slice the steak off the bone, and serve with Savory Cowboy Butter, for a truly memorable meal.
• Store leftovers, after the steak has completely cooled, in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat the grilled steak in a preheated oven or on the grill for a few minutes to maintain its juicy texture.
• Leftover steak can also be used to prepare steak and eggs, steak tacos, steak salad, or a steak sandwich.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long should I cook a tomahawk steak? Cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of doneness. For a 2 1/2-pound tomahawk steak, it will typically take about 21 minutes to reach medium-rare, without using a thermometer.
• Can I use a different seasoning besides salt and pepper? Yes! Feel free to experiment with different seasoning blends, rubs, or marinades. Garlic, rosemary, thyme, and steak seasoning are all great options for adding extra flavor.
• Do I need to use a meat thermometer? While it’s not absolutely necessary, using a meat thermometer is a great way to ensure your steak reaches the perfect doneness. It’s the most accurate method for checking the internal temperature.
• How do I know when my steak is done without cutting it open? Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check. Alternatively, you can use the “finger test” to check firmness: the firmer the steak, the more cooked it is.
• Can I cook the steak on a charcoal grill? Yes! You can cook the tomahawk steak on either a gas or charcoal grill. Just ensure your charcoal grill reaches the correct temperature (400°F/204°C) and you follow the same searing method.
• Should I rest the steak before serving? Yes, it’s important to let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the grill. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy steak.
• Can I store leftover grilled tomahawk steak? Yes! Store leftover steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it on the grill or in a preheated oven for a few minutes to preserve its juiciness.
• What sides go well with grilled tomahawk steak? Grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, a fresh salad, and/or a side of garlic bread are all great options to compliment your steak.
• Can I use a different oil, besides olive oil? Yes, you can use other oils like avocado oil or vegetable oil, but olive oil works well for grilling because of its robust flavor.

More Steak Recipes to Love

• Grilled Steak Board
• Seared Steak with Mushroom Sauce
• Easy Homemade Salisbury Steak

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GET TO KNOW ME!

WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

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