Learn how to cook steak in the oven for restaurant-quality results with a caramelized crust and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. This easy method starts with a quick pan sear before finishing in the oven in just 20 minutes.

More steak recipes we love include these grilled steak kabobs and steak bites.

Oven baked steak with a pat of garlic butter on top with fresh herbs and roasted potatoes served on a plate.

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Key Takeaways: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Steak in the Oven

  • Sear first: Use a hot cast-iron skillet to create a golden, caramelized crust before finishing the steak in the oven.
  • Watch the cooking time: Bake at 450°F for 4–14 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness and the thickness of the steak.
  • Keep it tender: Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Remove the steak about 5°F before your desired temperature and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.

Why I Love This Oven Baked Steak

Steak is a classic dinner often reserved for special occasions, but it’s just as easy to enjoy any night of the week. My family always gets excited when this oven baked steak is on the menu. We also love grilled flank steak and tri tip steak.

After testing several methods, I’ve found that this cast-iron and oven technique gives you restaurant-quality results without needing to cook steak on the grill. It’s become one of our favorite ways to make steak at home, and with more than 100 five-star reviews, readers love it too!

XO - Jamielyn
starstarstarstarstar

Enjoyed this recipe for date night last night and we both agreed that they were some of the best steaks we’ve ever had! Making them in the oven was super easy…and much warmer since it’s snowing outside. :)

Sandra

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for oven baked steak including raw ribeye steaks, salt, pepper, olive oil and garlic herb butter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Steak: There’s many cuts of beef to choose from, but I prefer to use a ribeye or top sirloin steak for this recipe. If you really want to splurge filet mignon is my personal favorite.
  • Olive oil: Use a good extra-virgin olive oil here.
  • Salt and pepper: This all you need for seasoning. Although for more flavor you can also use my steak rub.
  • Butter: We love adding a pat of garlic herb butter and fresh herbs on top.

How to Cook Steak in the Oven

Bring steaks to room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes then pat steaks dry with a paper towel and rub with oil. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Raw ribeye steak seasoned with salt and pepper before searing.

Preheat oven to 450°F and place large oven-safe skillet in oven while heating. Remove pan and place over high heat on stove. When pan is hot, add steaks to the hot skillet and sear on each side for 1 minute.

Steak searing in a hot cast-iron skillet for a golden crust.

Then place pan in oven and bake for 4-6 minutes on one side. Flip and cook other side for 4-6 more minutes. Remove the meat 5° before it reaches the desired temperature.

Seared steak in cast-iron skillet topped with garlic butter and herbs after cooking in the oven.

Remove pan from oven and allow rest steaks for 5 minutes. Top each steak with a slab of butter and fresh herbs if desired.

How Long to Cook Steak in the Oven

This chart gives you a quick benchmark for each level of doneness (color, baking time, and internal temperature). Cooking times may vary depending on your oven, so be sure to check your steak as it cooks.

Remove the meat about 5°F before it reaches your desired temp, it will continue to rise while resting.

DonenessBake TimeTemperatureColor
Rare4-6 minutes125°FRed Center
Medium-Rare6-8 minutes130°FDeep Pink
Medium8-10 minutes140°FLight Pink
Medium-Well10-12 minutes150°FSlightly Pink
Well-Done12-14 minutes160°F+Little or No Pink

Notes:

  • Times are approximate and assume the steak has been seared first.
  • If you are a visual person, check out this cooking time chart that shows the doneness of each meat.
Perfectly seared ribeye steaks baked in the oven in a cast-iron pan with melted garlic butter and sprigs of fresh thyme.

Expert Tips

  • For a tender, juicy steak, bring it to room temperature before cooking and salt it generously to bring out moisture and break down proteins and muscle fibers.
  • Use a cast iron skillet for the best sear and even cooking.
  • Let the steak rest 5–10 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
  • If you’re serving this with potatoes, try my crispy roasted red potatoes, they pair perfectly with juicy oven baked steak.

Cooking Steak in the Oven FAQs


What is the best temperature to cook steak in the oven?

I prefer 450°F for this recipe. The high heat helps develop a nicely browned exterior while the steak cooks to your preferred doneness.


Can I cook steak in the oven without searing it first?

Yes! You can skip the stovetop sear, but you’ll miss some of that caramelized crust. The steak may need additional time in the oven, depending on its thickness. For more browning, finish briefly under the broiler, watching closely.

How do you keep steak from drying out in the oven?

The key is to avoid overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, remove the steak a few degrees before your target temperature, and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.


Should I cover steak with foil when cooking it in the oven?

No, leave the steak uncovered while it cooks in the oven. This helps maintain the browned, caramelized crust you created when searing. After cooking, let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. You can loosely tent it with foil to help keep it warm.

Juicy oven baked steak sliced on a white plate and topped with a pat of garlic herb butter and fresh thyme.

A few more favorite beef recipes include roast beef tenderloin, steak and potatoes and prime rib.

More Favorite Steak Recipes

See all
See all
Oven baked steak with a pat of garlic butter on top with fresh herbs and roasted potatoes served on a plate.

How to Cook Steak in the Oven

4.97 from 109 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Make the perfect steak in the oven that's caramelized, juicy and tender. It's quick and easy to prepare by first pan-searing the steak and then finishing it in the oven.
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 2 (1-inch thick) ribeye beef steaks (any cut will do)
  • 1-2 Tablespoons oil , canola or avocado oil are best for high smoke point
  • Kosher salt , to taste
  • Ground black pepper , to taste
  • 1-2 Tablespoons unsalted butter , or garlic herb butter (for finishing)

Fresh thyme or rosemary for serving

Instructions

  • Remove the steaks from the fridge and bring to room temperature, about 15 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a large skillet in the oven while it is heating. Remove pan from oven and place on the stove over high heat. 
  • Sear steaks. Dry steaks with a paper towel. Rub the oil over the steaks and generously season with salt and pepper. Once the pan is very hot place the steaks into the pan. Let each side cook 1-2 minutes, or until seared. Use tongs to flip.
  • Place the pan in the oven 4 minutes. Flip and cook the other side an additional 4 to 6 minutes. Check the center with a meat thermometer or slice with a knife to check for doneness (see notes below for different levels of doneness). You want to remove the meat 5° before it reaches the desired temperature. Temperature will continue to rise while resting. 
  • Rest steak. Using an oven mitt, remove pan from oven and allow to rest on a plate 5 minutes before serving. Add a slab of butter on the top of each steak. 

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Steak doneness: 
  • Rare: 125°F (red)
  • Medium Rare: 130°F (deep pink)
  • Medium: 140°F (light pink)
  • Medium well: 150°F  (slightly pink center)
  • Well done: 160°F (little or no pink)
Garlic herb butter: For optimal flavor, try making half a batch of my garlic herb butter to slather on top. 
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve at breakfast with eggs, make steak fajitas or turn it into a philly cheesesteak!

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 51mg, Potassium: 286mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 87IU, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.