If you’re obsessed with ranch dressing and craving a beefy flavor that hits hard, this cowboy Ranch Steak is calling your name. We’re talking tender meat with a delicious crust, a hit of ranch seasoning, and a charred finish straight from the hot grill.
It’s the kind of juicy steak that’ll have you licking your fingers and diving back in for more. Plus, we’re rounding it out with jalapeño ranch cornbread and a charred wedge salad to make it a full-blown cowboy cooking feast.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love Ranch Steak
- Ingredients Roundup
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning Recipe
- How to Make Ranch Steak
- Make the Cornbread
- Whip Up the Homemade Ranch
- Grill the Ranch Wedge Salad
- Sear the ranch Steak to Perfection
- What to Serve with Cowboy Ranch Steak
- Leftovers & Reheating
- More Ranch Dressing Recipes
- FAQs for Cowboy Ranch Steak
- Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
- Ranch Steak Recipe
Why You’ll Love Ranch Steak
First off, this steak brings the big beefy flavor you crave. We’re using bone-in ribeyes, but you can easily swap it for whatever steak you prefer! Flat iron steak, sirloin steak, or even a boneless chuck shoulder center-cut steak if that’s what you have on hand. The key is hitting it with high heat to lock in that perfect sear while keeping the inside juicy.
Then there’s the ranch seasoning. It adds a creamy, herb-packed kick that takes this steak to the next level. Pair that with a killer Cowboy Butter rub, and you’ve got a flavor bomb that doesn’t quit.
But we’re not stopping there. We’re grilling a ranch wedge salad for that epic smoky char and whipping up some jalapeño ranch cornbread that’s crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and drizzled with honey for that sweet heat. It’s the ultimate ranch-style meal that’s perfect for charcoal grills or even a hot skillet if you’re cooking indoors.
For more epic ribeye steak recipes, check out Perfect Ribeye Steak, Grilled Ribeye with Cowboy Butter, Bourbon Marinated Ribeyes, and Grilled Ribeye with Beef Tallow Fries.
Ingredients Roundup
There’s no need to stress over the number of ingredients in this Ranch Steak recipe. Here’s everything you need to bring it to life—and don’t worry, I’ll walk you through each step to make it easy!
- Ranch Steak – All you need for epic flavor is bone-in ribeye steaks, Cowboy Butter rub, ranch seasoning, butter, and canola oil to lock in that perfect sear.
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- Homemade Ranch Dressing – This creamy, tangy goodness comes together with sour cream, mayonnaise, parsley, dill, garlic powder, black pepper, buttermilk, and salt.
- Ranch Wedge Salad – Crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, crispy bacon, red onion, blue cheese crumbles, and a drizzle of homemade ranch make this the ultimate side.
- Jalapeño Ranch Cornbread – Forget the boxed stuff! This easy homemade version is packed with cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, butter, buttermilk, eggs, cheddar cheese, jalapeño, homemade ranch dressing, and honey.
If you love making red meats shine, get ready—this Ranch Steak meal is so freakin’ delicious that you’ll be talking about it long after the last bite is gone.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Recipe
Making your own ranch seasoning is easy, fresher, and way more flavorful than store-bought. Plus, you can use it on everything from steaks and roasted veggies to popcorn and fries.
Just mix 1/4 cup buttermilk powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried dill, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 2 teaspoons dried chives, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika. Store it in an airtight container, and you’re set.
How to Make Ranch Steak
Make the Cornbread
First, preheat your fire to 400F. Next, grease up a hot skillet with butter or oil. In a bowl, mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Then, stir in the melted butter, buttermilk, and eggs until you have a smooth batter. Now, fold in the shredded cheddar, diced jalapeño, and a hit of homemade ranch dressing to pack in even more flavor.
Pour the batter into your greased skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Once it’s out, hit it with some honey for that sweet, buttery finish. Let it cool while you prep the rest.
Whip Up the Homemade Ranch
This part’s easy. Just mix together sour cream, mayo, chopped parsley, dill, garlic powder, black pepper, and a little buttermilk until it’s smooth and creamy. Add salt to taste, and if you like it thinner, pour in more buttermilk. Set it aside—this stuff is gold.
Grill the Ranch Wedge Salad
Time to fire up the grill. Get it cranking at 400F for direct cooking. Grab a cold cast iron skillet, toss in some bacon, and cook it until it’s crispy and golden brown. Let it cool, then crumble it up.
Next, throw your whole head of lettuce straight onto the hot grill for about 30 seconds. That will help get a nice, smoky char. Pull it off, slice it up, and build your wedge salad with blue cheese, red onion, crumbled bacon, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle it with that homemade ranch, and you’re set.
Sear the ranch Steak to Perfection
Now for the main event. Grab your room temperature steaks, rub them down with olive oil, and season them like you mean it with Cowboy Butter rub and ranch seasoning.
Get your grill blazing at 400F. Toss the steaks on and sear for 5-8 minutes per side, flipping as needed, until they hit an internal temperature of 120F for medium-rare. If you’re going for desired doneness, use a meat thermometer to hit your sweet spot.
Once they’re off the grill, let them rest for 10 minutes so all those juices stay locked in. Then, slice them up and dig in.
What to Serve with Cowboy Ranch Steak
Sure, the jalapeño ranch cornbread and ranch wedge salad are already bringing their A-game, but if you want to take this meal to the next level, you’ve got options.
First up, grilled sweet potatoes. These bad boys get a little caramelized on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, and bring the perfect balance to the beefy flavor of the steak. Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to throw on the hot grill while your steak is resting.
If you’re looking for something green, go with charred Brussels sprouts. Give them a good sear in a hot skillet or toss them straight onto the grill. They crisp up beautifully, soak in that smoky flavor, and add a little bite to your plate.
Leftovers & Reheating
If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you), store the steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep that tender meat juicy, reheat it in a hot skillet with a little butter until warmed through. The next day, it makes a killer steak sandwich or taco filling.
More Ranch Dressing Recipes
FAQs for Cowboy Ranch Steak
Absolutely. Cuts of beef are always a matter of preference and often based on the most inexpensive cuts you can find at the time. While bone-in ribeye is king, you can also use flat iron steak, skirt steak, sirloin steak, or a boneless chuck shoulder center cut steak. Even arm steak or beef shoulder center steak will work if you cook them right.
Nope, but that smoky char adds a whole new level of flavor. If you’re using charcoal grills, the added smokiness is next level.
Definitely! For best results, follow the package instructions.
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Ranch Steak
Ingredients
Ranch Cowboy Steak
- 2 bone-in ribeye steaks
- 2 tbsp Cowboy Butter rub
- 2 tbsp Ranch Seasoning
- 2 tbsp butter
- Canola Oil
Homemade Ranch:
- 2.5 tbsp Sour Cream
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp Chopped Parsley
- 1 tbsp Chopped Dill
- 1.5 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- Buttermilk to desired consistency
- Salt to taste
Ranch Wedge Salad
- 1 head iceberg/romaine lettuce whole
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup crispy bacon crumbled
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
- ½ cup homemade ranch dressing
Jalapeño Ranch Cornbread
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeño finely diced
- ¼ cup homemade ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
Cornbread:
- Heat up an oven to 400F and then grease a skillet with butter or oil for baking.
- Whisk the corn meal, flour, baking soda, salt and garlic together in a bowl. Then add the melted butter, buttermilk and eggs. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in the cheese, jalapenos and ranch seasoning into the mixture. Add to the skillet and place in the oven.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes then pull off a let cool. Add some honey to the top once done and serve.
Homemade Ranch:
- In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the ranch dressing. Set to the side as well.
Ranch Wedge Salad:
- Preheat your fire to 400F for direct cooking.
- Add a cold cast iron skillet loaded up with the bacon and cook until crispy golden brown. Pull off, let cool. Chop or crumble once fully cooled.
- Add your lettuce, whole, to the grill to char for 30 seconds then pull off and slice up.
- Build your salad with the charred lettuce, blue cheese, red onion, crumbled bacon and sliced tomatoes. Top with the ranch dressing.
Steak:
- Slather your steak in oil and generously season with my Cowboy Butter rub and some ranch seasoning. Set to the side.
- Preheat your fire to 400F for direct cooking.
- Add your steak to cook for about 5-8 minutes per side or until 120F internal. Pull off once done, and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice it up and then serve with cornbread, salad and more ranch on top.
