Sizzling Grilled Tomahawk Steak Recipe: Your Backyard Masterpiece

Juicy and robust, this grilled tomahawk steak delivers a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary dinners into memorable feasts.

Massive cuts of prime beef promise an exceptional dining experience with rich marbling and intense flavor.

Restaurants charge premium prices for such magnificent cuts, but you can master this technique at home.

Charcoal grilling intensifies the meat’s natural characteristics, creating a spectacular caramelized exterior and succulent interior.

Salt and pepper become your secret weapons for enhancing the steak’s inherent deliciousness.

Precise temperature control and patient resting ensure each slice remains tender and perfectly cooked.

Fire up the grill and get ready to impress everyone with your exceptional steak-cooking skills.

What Makes Grilled Tomahawk Steak Legendary

• Create Mouthwatering Flavor Explosion: Blend of brown sugar, steak seasoning, and spices transform an ordinary steak into a gourmet masterpiece with deep, complex taste profiles that will wow your taste buds.
• Master Professional Cooking Technique: Two-step cooking method of slow oven roasting followed by high-heat grilling ensures perfectly cooked steak with a gorgeous sear and juicy interior, making you feel like a professional chef.
• Impressive Dinner Party Showstopper: Tomahawk steak delivers restaurant-quality presentation that guarantees to impress guests, making any gathering feel special and luxurious without extensive culinary skills.
• Customize with Homemade Compound Butter: Simple yet elegant compound butter adds gourmet touch, allowing personalization with fresh herbs and seasonings that elevate the entire steak experience.

All You Need for That Sizzling Showstopper

• Tomahawk Steak: A premium, bone-in ribeye cut known for its impressive size and rich flavor.

• Brown Sugar: Provides a sweet caramelization and helps create a delicious crust on the steak.
• Steak Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Blend of spices that enhances the meat's natural flavor profile.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a luxurious melting sauce for the steak.
• Shallot, Garlic: Provide a sharp, aromatic depth to the compound butter.
• Chives: Brings a mild onion-like freshness to the butter mixture.

• Sheet Pan: Serves as a cooking surface for oven-baking the steak.

How to Grill a Tomahawk to Juicy Perfection

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Steak Rub

Combine brown sugar, steak seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small container. Mix thoroughly to create a robust dry rub.

Set aside two teaspoons for the compound butter preparation.

Step 2: Prepare Steak for Dry-Brining

Generously coat the entire tomahawk steak with the prepared rub.

Place the seasoned steak on a sheet pan and let it rest uncovered in the refrigerator overnight. This process will intensify the meat’s flavor and help develop a delicious crust.

Step 3: Whip Up Decadent Compound Butter

• Minced shallot
• Crushed garlic
• Chopped chives
• Reserved steak rub

Mix until ingredients are well incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 4: Bring Steak to Room Temperature

Remove the steak from the refrigerator one hour before cooking. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve the perfect doneness.

Step 5: Slow Roast in Oven

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Place the steak on the sheet pan and roast until the internal temperature reaches 110°F.

This typically takes about 45 minutes, but start checking at 30 minutes for precise temperature.

Step 6: Fire Up the Grill

While the steak is in the oven, prepare the grill at high heat.

Ensure the grates are clean and well-oiled for perfect searing.

Step 7: Sear to Perfection

Transfer the steak from the oven to the hot grill.

Sear each side for 2 minutes, aiming for an internal temperature between 125-135°F for medium rare.

Step 8: Rest and Butter

Top the grilled steak with the prepared compound butter.

Allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes, letting the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

Step 9: Slice and Serve

Slice the tomahawk steak against the grain.

Drizzle with any remaining melted butter and serve immediately to enjoy the ultimate steak experience.

Steak Grilling Tips for a Big Finish

• Pat the steak dry before applying the rub to ensure maximum seasoning absorption and better crust formation.
• Allow the steak to rest at room temperature for exactly one hour before cooking to guarantee even heat distribution and tender meat.
• Use a reliable meat thermometer to check internal temperature precisely, preventing overcooking and maintaining perfect doneness.
• Create compound butter ahead of time to let flavors meld together, enhancing the overall taste of the steak.
• For gluten-free diets, verify that steak seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free before preparation.

Flavor Up Your Tomahawk with These Ideas

• Smoky Espresso Rub: Replace brown sugar with ground espresso and add smoked paprika for a rich, intense coffee-infused flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Swap steak seasoning with dried oregano, rosemary, and thyme; incorporate crumbled feta cheese into the compound butter for a Greek-inspired experience.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Blend chipotle powder, cumin, and cayenne into the rub; mix chopped cilantro and jalapeños into the compound butter for a bold, zesty kick.
• Asian-Inspired Umami Rub: Use Chinese five-spice powder instead of steak seasoning; incorporate miso paste and green onions into the compound butter for deep, complex flavors.

What Pairs Best with Grilled Tomahawk Steak

• Elevate Flavor Companions: Bold Red Wine Pairing
• Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec with full-bodied tannins that complement the rich, grilled tomahawk steak's intense flavor profile.
• Craft Herbal Butter Sauce Sidekick
• Whip up a zesty chimichurri sauce using fresh parsley, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar to cut through the steak's richness and add bright, tangy notes.
• Perfect Side Dish Match
• Prepare roasted garlic mashed potatoes or grilled asparagus with sea salt to balance the steak's smoky char and provide creamy or crisp textural contrast.

How to Store That Massive Steak Cut

• Refrigerator Storage: Wrap leftover steak tightly in aluminum foil or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer Preservation: Slice steak, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating in Oven: Preheat oven to 250°F, place steak on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, avoiding overcooking to preserve moisture and tenderness.
• Skillet Reheat: Warm a cast-iron skillet on medium-low heat, add a touch of butter or oil.

Common Questions on Tomahawk Steak, Answered

• What makes a tomahawk steak different from other steaks?

A tomahawk steak is a ribeye cut with the entire rib bone left intact, creating a dramatic presentation that looks like a tomahawk axe, and it’s typically much larger and more marbled than standard ribeye cuts.

• Why do I need to dry-brine the steak overnight?

Dry-brining helps the steak develop deeper flavor, allows seasoning to penetrate the meat, and helps create a more even and crispier exterior when grilling by drawing out moisture and concentrating the seasonings.

• How do I know my steak is cooked perfectly?

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. For medium rare, aim for 125-135°F (51-57°C), which ensures a warm red center with optimal tenderness and juiciness.

Grilled Tomahawk Steak Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Juicy Tomahawk Steak promises a carnivore’s dream with rich marbling and robust flavor from classic American grilling techniques. Bold seasoning and perfect sear create a mouthwatering centerpiece you’ll savor with pure culinary satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 large tomahawk steak

Seasonings and Spices:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Aromatics and Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chives, chopped

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Instructions

1. Craft a flavor-packed rub by blending brown sugar, steak seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small container. Reserve 2 teaspoons for compound butter preparation.
2. Generously massage the entire steak surface with the prepared rub, then place on a sheet pan. Allow the steak to dry-brine uncovered in the refrigerator overnight, enhancing its flavor and tenderness.
3. Create compound butter by thoroughly mashing butter with finely minced shallot, garlic, chives, and the reserved rub in a small mixing bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Extract the steak from the refrigerator, letting it rest at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
5. Heat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Carefully position the steak on the sheet pan and roast until its internal temperature reaches 110°F (43°C), approximately 45 minutes. Monitor closely after 30 minutes to prevent overcooking.
6. While the steak roasts, crank the grill to high heat, preparing for the final searing stage.
7. Transfer the steak from the oven to the blazing hot grill. Sear each side for 2 minutes, aiming for an internal temperature between 125-135°F (51-57°C) for a perfect medium-rare finish.
8. Immediately crown the grilled steak with the prepared compound butter, allowing it to melt luxuriously. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
9. Expertly slice the steak against the grain, drizzle with any remaining melted butter, and serve for a spectacular dining experience.

Notes

• Dry-Brining Magic: Letting the steak rest uncovered in the refrigerator overnight allows the seasoning to penetrate deeply, creating a flavor-packed exterior and helping achieve a beautiful crust.
• Temperature Precision: Use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure the perfect doneness, as Tomahawk steaks are thick and can vary in cooking time.
• Butter Boost: The compound butter adds richness and depth, melting into the hot steak and enhancing its natural flavors with herbs and spices.
• Resting is Crucial: Allowing the steak to rest after grilling helps redistribute juices, ensuring each slice remains tender and succulent.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 1150
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 88g
• Saturated Fat: 42g
• Unsaturated Fat: 36g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 85g
• Cholesterol: 220mg