Traeger Ribeye - Easy Pellet Grill Smoked Ribeye Recipe (2024)

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If you are a fan of grilled steak, this Traeger Ribeye needs to get on your grill.This perfectly grilled, juicy, melt in your mouth steak will be your family’s top request for BBQs this summer.

Traeger Ribeye - Easy Pellet Grill Smoked Ribeye Recipe (1)

Traeger Ribeye

Let’s face it, Ribeye is one of the best cuts of beef, and one of the most requested cuts of steak available at your local butcher and grocery stores.

Ribeye is one of the most tender and flavorful cuts for grilling. If you’ve never splurged before, do yourself a favor and get some at least once this summer. It is worth it!

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What makes a Ribeye one of the best cuts of steak?

The Ribeye is considered to be one of the most flavorful and tender cuts of steak available.

This cut comes from an area of the animal that gets little to no exercise, so it tends to have more marbling than other muscles that get used more often on the muscle.

The Ribeye steak is cut from the prime rib, or the standing rib roast.

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How to pick the best steak

The very first thing you should look at when buying your steak is the USDA’s grading system for quality. “Prime” is the best quality, “Choice” is 2nd in line, and “Select” is on the bottom rung. Go for Prime or Choice for steak whever you can.

Prime steak can be hard to find in regular grocery stores, but we’ve had good luck at Costco.

You should always choose your cut of meat according to how you plan on cooking it.

If you’re cooking meat well-done you should choose a cut that will remain tender.

Choose tougher cuts of meat for stewing and roasting, as the longer cook time will allow time for the meat to tenderize as it breaks down the connective tissue.

Don’t be afraid to ask your butcher questions, that’s what they’re there for!

Steaks are best grilled, but you can pan fry if you have to at a high temperature, and usually a medium-rare temperature allows for a tender, juicy piece of meat.

Tenderloin, or Filet Mignon, has less marbling and fat than the ribeye and is considered to be the most tender cut, but can be wallet-busting, and in my opinion has less flavor than a ribeye.

Sirloin is a leaner cut of meat that is better on your budget but be careful if cooked too long can tend to be tougher and chewier.

The T-bone or Porterhouse is the best of both worlds, as on one side of the bone you have a small piece of tenderloin, and on the other a nice sized New York Strip. Great for grilling, but remember, you’re also paying for the bone as you pay per pound when buying any kind of meat.

I’m also a big fan of the flat iron.

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How to grill a ribeye on the Traeger

For the best and most evenly cooked steak, you’ll want to take your steaks out of the refrigerator and allow to reach room temperature for about 30 minutes before you plan on grilling them. This allows the steak to cook more evenly.

There’s no need to pre-season your steaks at this point, but you will want to make sure that the surface is dry before putting them on your grill. So give them a shake of salt and pepper right before they hit the grill but after you pat them dry with a paper towel.

The key to a good sear is high temperature. So get it hot and let the grill do its thing if you are doing a traditional grilled steak.

I’m including instructions here for both a traditional grilled steak and a reverse seared steak also. I prefer the reverse sear, but it takes about 3x as long as a regularly grilled steak so if you are pinched for time, either option is totally awesome.

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How do you know when your steak is done?

You must rely on a really good meat thermometer, this is a MUST! An instant-read digital thermometer is the best and easiest to use. This is the safest way to ensure your internal temperatures are accurate and the meat is safely done for consumption.

I use the ThermoWorks thermometers, and they are amazing. I have the Thermapen and it is one of my favorite pieces of kitchen equipment. I also have the Smoke which is a wireless leave-in probe and is one of my most-used grilling tools.

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ThermoWorks Smoke

For all of your wireless grilling needs, the Smoke is the most reliable wireless thermometer I’ve ever used.

Temperature Guide for Steak:

  • Rare: 120-125 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Medium Rare: 130-135 degrees F
  • Medium: 140-145 degrees F
  • Medium Well: 150-155 degrees F
  • Well Done: Just have a cheeseburger

Remember that your meat will continue to cook after you remove it from the grill, so allow for a 3-5 degree rise in temperature while resting. Check, check, check that temp!

Speaking of resting, always allow your steak to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to tame down and remain in the meat when you start cutting into it.

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What should you serve with ribeye?

We have all of the BBQ Side Dishes you ever need, but if you want some specific suggestions, I recommend a few of the following:

  • Grilled Corn on the Cob
  • Smoked Baked Potatoes
  • Coleslaw with vinegar
  • Homemade Caesar Salad
  • Grilled Asparagus
  • Smoked Scalloped Potatoes

Featured Reader Reviews

“The cooking suggestion for the ribeyes was so perfect. The steak was cooked perfectly, was very tender, and the flavor was throughout the entire meat. Keeping this as my go to recipe.”

Amie Crowder from Pinterest
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Yield: 4 servings

Traeger Ribeye - Easy Pellet Grill Smoked Ribeye Recipe (9)

This is Traeger Ribeye is cooked right on the pellet grill. Instructions included here are for both a traditional sear and a reverse sear. Choose your own adventure, as long as it includes Berta beef, s&p, 4 minutes a side, down the hatch.

Prep Time30 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Ribeye Steak
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

Traditional Sear

  1. Preheat your grill over high heat following factory instructions. Let the beef come to room temperature, pat dry with paper towels, and coat with salt and pepper liberally.
  2. Place on the grill and grill for 4-5 minutes per side, depending on how done you like your beef. The best way to tell is to use an instant-read thermometer, such as the Thermopen. (Link below)
  3. Remove from the grill when it reaches 4-5 degrees below your desired level of doneness, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Reverse Sear

  1. Preheat your grill to 225°following factory instructions. Let your beef come to room temperature, pat dry, and then liberally salt and pepper the meat.
  2. Place the meat on your pellet grill and shut the lid. Grill until the center reaches 125° for medium rare, or 130° for medium. With the reverse sear you want to pull them about 5-7° under where you ultimately want them to end up.
  3. Preheat a cast iron skillet on a stove or a flat top grill over high heat. Throw down a little bit of high-smoke-point oil, such as avocado oil.
  4. Place the steak on the pre-heated skillet or flat top and let cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until a crust has formed.
  5. Remove, let rest for 5 minutes, and eat!

Notes

  • Rare: 120-125 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Medium Rare: 130-135 degrees F
  • Medium: 140-145 degrees F

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 615Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 177mgSodium: 205mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 56g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Nicole Johnson

Website

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

Traeger Ribeye - Easy Pellet Grill Smoked Ribeye Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook a ribeye steak on a Traeger pellet smoker? ›

To grill a ribeye steak, trim the fat and rub with a neutral oil and seasoning. You can go with simple salt and pepper. Let your Traeger get to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and place your steaks directly on the grill grate, flipping every 6 minutes. Cook until steaks reach an internal temperature of 132 degrees and enjoy.

How long to smoke ribeye steak at 250? ›

Preheat a smoker to 250f. Cover the steak thoroughly with Hardcore Carnivore Black seasoning, then place it into the smoker. Smoke the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 125f, about 90 minutes. The time is approximate, and will depend on many factors, so it's important to monitor the temperature.

What temperature do you smoke steak on a pellet grill? ›

In comparison, a Pellet Grill lights the wood pellets on fire by heating an electric rod — the heat and smoke from those wood pellets cook your food and give it that desirable smoky flavor. In general, a temperature around 200°F to 250°F is best for smoking your steak.

How long to cook steak at 225 on pellet grill? ›

Set the grill temperature to 225°F. Place steak on grill grate and smoke for 45 to 60 minutes. Remove steak from the grill. Increase temperature to the highest setting and allow grill to fully preheat.

How long to smoke ribeye steak at 225? ›

Helpful Information
  1. Prep Time: 5 minutes.
  2. Dry Brining Time: 2-4 hours.
  3. Cook Time: 1.5 to 2 hours.
  4. Smoker Temp: 225°F (107°C)
  5. Meat Finish Temp: 130°F (54°C)
  6. Recommended Wood: Cherry.

What is the best temp for ribeye on Traeger? ›

Preheat your Traeger to 225 degrees Fahrenheit with super smoke enabled. Place the steak directly on the grill and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 120 degrees (about 45 minutes).

How long to smoke ribeye steak at 275? ›

  1. Dry Brine your ribeye with Kosher salt 1 to 24 hours prior to smoking.
  2. Apply the Meathead Big Bad Beef Rub.
  3. Smoke on your smoker cooker at 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. For MEDIUM (still pink on the inside) Smoke approximately 2 hours for an internal temperature of 155F.

Should you sear before or after smoking? ›

Doneness: Smoking meat low and slow before searing cooks it more evenly, creating a consistent degree of doneness throughout the cut.

How long to smoke steak at 250 on pellet grill? ›

Smoked on the pellet grill at 250 for an hour then rested while the grill got up to high heat and seared for a few minutes per side to finish.

What is the best temp to cook steak on Traeger? ›

Pre-heat your grill and make sure the temperature is set to it's highest temperature (400-500℉). Grilling steak can be a quick and easy process. Also, thick cut steak has more forgiveness with cook time and tenderness.

Do you flip steaks on a pellet grill? ›

Searing an a Traeger
  1. Throw the steak on the grill grates.
  2. Flip every 1 minute and 45 seconds. Each side should cook for a total of 3 minutes 30 seconds.
  3. Pull the steak off the heat, and rest for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Enjoy!

What temp should I set my Traeger for steak? ›

How Hot Should the Grill Be for Steak? The proper temperature for direct grilling is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. For reverse searing, start at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, then increase to 450 degrees to finish the steak.

How long to cook ribeye steak on Traeger? ›

Place steaks on grill and cook for 30 to 45 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat reads 120°F for medium-rare. Remove steaks from grill and increase grill temperature to 450°F. Allow steaks to rest while grill preheats.

How long to cook 1 inch steak at 225? ›

Set up your grill for indirect heat at 225 degrees. Cook the steak on the cooler side of the grill until the internal temperature reaches about 115 degrees fahrenheit. This will take 30-45 minutes depending on your grill, the temperature, and airflow.

How do you smoke a steak on a Traeger smoker? ›

For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke, if available. Season the steaks on both sides with Traeger Prime Rib Rub. Insert the probe into the center of a steak. Arrange the steaks directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 115℉, 35-45 minutes.

What temperature do you cook steak on a Traeger grill? ›

How Hot Should the Grill Be for Steak? The proper temperature for direct grilling is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. For reverse searing, start at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, then increase to 450 degrees to finish the steak.

What temperature do you cook a ribeye steak? ›

For ribeye steaks, the ideal internal temperature is 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F medium, 150°F medium well and 160°F for well done. Keep in mind that meat will continue to rise a few degrees once it's off the grill.

What temperature do you smoke a ribeye before searing? ›

For the beginning of the process, smoke the meat between 200° and 250°F, then sear it at 500°F. 1. Smoke your meat between 200° and 250°F until the internal temperature reaches about 10 to 15 degrees less than your desired doneness temperature.

How long to cook steak on Traeger at 400? ›

160-165 °F internal temperature.

Brown on the outside with a mostly brown center that is warm throughout. At 400°°F, cook for 10 minutes per side.

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