What Is a Cowboy Steak? The Big, Bold Cut That Deserves the Fire
What Is a Cowboy Steak? A Big, Bold Cut with Real Character
There’s nothing subtle about a cowboy steak. It’s thick, bone-in, and made for serious heat. It doesn’t just sit on the grill — it takes over. Serve one, and you're not just making dinner. You’re making an impression.
So what exactly is a cowboy steak?
It’s a bone-in ribeye, cut thick with part of the rib bone left long — usually trimmed at the tip for a cleaner look. It comes from the same rib section as other ribeyes (typically ribs 6 through 12), and brings the same marbling and flavor ribeye lovers count on.
What makes it different from a standard bone-in ribeye is size and presence. It’s not quite as long as a tomahawk steak, but it’s still got that visual wow factor. You could call it a tomahawk’s more practical cousin — still big, still bold, just easier to work with.
Where does it come from?
The name nods to cowboy culture and open-fire cooking in the American West. On the trail, cowboys cooked hearty cuts over flames. Nothing fancy — just good beef and hot coals. The cowboy steak keeps that spirit alive: simple, rich, and built for flame.
Today, you’ll find it everywhere from backyard grills to high-end restaurants. Charred on the outside, pink in the middle, often paired with a good red wine or cold beer. It’s rustic and refined, all at once.
How to cook a cowboy steak
This cut takes a little more time, but it rewards you for the effort. Here’s a simple method:
- Room temp: Let it sit out for 30–45 minutes.
- Season: Stick to salt and pepper. Let the beef speak for itself.
- Sear: Use high heat in a cast iron or on the grill to build a crust.
- Finish slow: Move to indirect heat or a 375°F oven until it hits 125–130°F for medium-rare.
- Rest: Let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
Cowboy vs. Tomahawk vs. Ribeye
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Bone-In Ribeye: Great flavor, shorter bone, easy to cook.
- Cowboy Steak: Longer bone, thicker cut, made for grilling.
- Tomahawk: Same as cowboy but with a full-length bone — dramatic, but more to manage.
Why people love it
The cowboy steak isn’t just about size. It’s about attitude. It’s the kind of steak you fire up when you want to enjoy the moment — good friends, cold drinks, hot grill. No special occasion needed.
And when it comes from Wellborn 2R Ranch — raised on open Texas pasture, grain-finished for flavor, and aged for depth — it delivers more than looks. It delivers taste you can count on.
So fire up the grill. This one earns its place at the table.
