Nitrate & Nitrite Free Garlic Herb Crusted Ribeye
A thick, bone-in ribeye seared hard in a cast iron skillet and finished in a hot oven is already a showstopper — but the fragrant paste of garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley pressed onto the surface before it roasts takes the whole thing to another level. The herb crust turns golden and deeply aromatic while the interior climbs to a perfect medium-rare, locking in all that beefy richness. For anyone navigating nitrate and nitrite concerns, this recipe is a natural fit because every single ingredient is a whole, unprocessed food — fresh herbs, olive oil, kosher salt, and quality ribeye with no cured or processed meat products anywhere in sight. No deli counter anxiety, no label-reading required. The sear-then-roast method builds a serious crust without relying on anything beyond high heat and a well-seasoned pan, so the flavor is entirely earned by technique and fresh ingredients. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens everything and cuts through the richness in the best possible way. This is the kind of steak dinner that feels like a restaurant splurge but comes together entirely on your own terms.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 bone-in ribeye steaks (about 1 ¼ inches thick, 12–14 oz each)
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
For the herb crust
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides and the edges evenly with the kosher salt and black pepper.
- 2
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil (plus the red pepper flakes, if using) and stir into a coarse paste.
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