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Mastering the Reverse-Seared Tomahawk

By Big B •

The Ultimate Caveman Cut

The Tomahawk steak is essentially a thick-cut ribeye with at least 5 inches of rib bone left intact (often “Frenched,” meaning the meat and fat are cleaned off the bone for presentation). It is a massive, expensive cut that demands respect and careful technique. You cannot simply throw this on a hot grill and hope for the best.

Tomahawk Steak

The Challenge of the Bone

The massive bone presents two challenges:

  1. Heat Deflection: The meat right next to the bone cooks slower than the rest of the steak.
  2. Pan Searing is Out: The bone makes it impossible to lay the steak flat in a standard cast-iron skillet for searing.

The Strategy: Two-Zone Charcoal

The only way to cook a Tomahawk perfectly is the Reverse Sear using a two-zone setup on a kettle grill (like a Kamado or a Weber).

Phase 1: Low and Slow

  1. Season: Generously coat the steak in coarse salt and pepper. Wrap the exposed bone in aluminum foil to prevent it from turning black and burning.
  2. Indirect Heat: Build a fire on one side of your grill. Place the steak on the opposite side (indirect heat).
  3. Positioning: Point the bone away from the fire.
  4. Monitor: Cook at around 250°F until the internal temperature reaches 115°F (for a final medium-rare).

Phase 2: The Fire Pit Sear

Because you can’t use a skillet, you must use the raw power of the coals.

  1. Stoke the Fire: Once the steak hits 115°F, take it off the grill to rest. Open all vents and let the coals get white-hot.
  2. Direct Sear: Place the steak directly over the screaming hot coals. This is a very fast process—often only 45 seconds per side.
  3. Flame Management: The rendering fat will cause flare-ups. Move the steak around constantly to avoid depositing bitter soot from the flames onto the meat.
  4. The Fat Cap: Use tongs to hold the steak vertically to sear the thick layer of fat along the edge.

The Presentation

Remove the foil from the bone. The steak requires only a minimal rest (5 minutes) because of the gentle initial cooking phase. Slice the meat off the bone in one large piece, then slice that piece against the grain. Serve the slices arranged next to the impressive bone, topped with a compound garlic herb butter.