Prep time: 10 minutes | Rest time: 40 minutes | Cook time: 10–15 minutes | Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye steaks (1 to 1.5 inches thick)
- 2 tsp kosher coarse salt
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Rub: Combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, turmeric, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper in a small Ziploc bag or sealable container. Seal tightly and shake thoroughly until all spices are uniformly blended.
- Season and Dry Brine: Pat the ribeye steaks completely dry with paper towels. Lightly coat or spray both sides with oil, then generously apply the spice rub over the surface and edges, pressing it gently into the meat.
- Rest for Osmosis: Let the seasoned steaks rest at room temperature for 40 minutes. During this time, the salt draws out surface moisture, dissolves, and reabsorbs into the muscle fibers, tenderizing the meat and locking in juices while the cornstarch prepares to form a crispy outer crust.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 5 minutes so the basket is scorching hot.
- Air Fry: Place the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket (do not overcrowd). Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes on the first side to achieve a deep, charred crust.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Flip the steaks and continue air frying to your desired level of doneness:
- Medium-Rare (130°F–135°F): Add 3 to 4 minutes
- Medium (140°F–145°F): Add 5 to 6 minutes
- Well-Done (160°F+): Add 8 to 10 minutes
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the steaks to a warm plate or cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Nutritional Info & Dietary Profiles
- Macros per serving (approximate): 520 Calories | 42g Protein | 36g Fat | 3g Net Carbs
- Keto & Low-Carb Adaptable: To reduce net carbs near zero, substitute the brown sugar with a golden erythritol or monk fruit sweetener blend.
- High-Protein: Naturally packs over 40 grams of protein per serving from quality beef.
