It’s hard to imagine a better meal for dinner than a properly grilled Tomahawk steak. Also known to some as a Cowboy Steak, a Tomahawk steak is indeed a steak fit for royalty.
But as is with most high-quality pieces of meat, grilling the Tomahawk steak perfectly can be challenging. You’ll be constantly worried about maintaining the right temperature or adding the right ingredients.
But, cooking a Tomahawk steak on a gas grill should be super easy. All you need is a meat thermometer, some salt to make the perfect steak, and the right guide to make your barbeque like a boss.
Whether it’s your first- or hundredth-time grilling, this is the post for you. In it, you’ll learn everything about grilling a Tomahawk steak.
Let’s get started!
What is a Tomahawk steak?
Also known as a bone-in ribeye or a Tomahawk chop, the Tomahawk steak is a thick ribeye steak with a long bone attached to it. It borrows its name from the Tomahawk ax with a bone “handle” on it.
The Tomahawk steaks are widely known for being flavorsome and tender. The meat is usually obtained from the meat’s loin, which is similar to the Porterhouse steaks and T-bone.
The Tomahawk steak is considered a lump of luxury meat as not all local butchers or supermarkets stock them. The meat packs a lot of flavors when cooked, largely because of its huge amounts of fat and long bone.
It offers an amazing flavor that’s worth its cost. It’s great for BBQ-ing and roasting due to its size.
What do I need to cook my tomahawk steak on a gas grill?
Before diving into the steps, you need to grill a tomahawk steak on a gas grill. First, let’s look at the equipment you’ll need to grill like a pro.
A probe meat thermometer
It’s possible not to use a meat thermometer when you grill a traditional steak – the steaks are thinner, and even an amateur grill enthusiast can eyeball it to tell if it’s ready. This is different with the tomahawk steak, however.
You should use a probe meat thermometer to know when the meat cooks. You can’t tell when it’s ready otherwise and might end up with uncooked meat.
A gas grills
This is obvious – you’ll need a gas grill to cook a tomahawk steak on a gas grill. And although you may use other cooking tools like the charcoal grill, a gas grill is recommended for faster results.
Aluminum foil pan
Although not a necessity, it’s highly recommended to use a shallow aluminum pan. Place it underneath the steak as it cooks to catch drippings.
The drippings will vaporize and rise back up to flavor your steak.
The right ingredients
You’ll also need several ingredients to make the best barbecue for your family and/or friends. Here is a list of the essentials:
- A tomahawk steak
- Freshly ground pepper
- Kosher salt
- Garlic clove
- Four tablespoons of unsalted butter
- Two tablespoons oil
- Fresh thyme
- Herbs
- Spices of choice
Watch out for the spices you add! Some may make your steak less tasty.
Cooking a Tomahawk steak on a gas grill
While there are several ways to cook the tomahawk steak, the meat is best on a barbecue. But how exactly do you grill the tomahawk steaks on a gas grill?
Here are step-by-step instructions on cooking a tomahawk steak on a gas grill:
a. Prepare your tomahawk ribeye
Like all other pieces of meat, the tomahawk steak needs some preparation before grilling it. Thaw the steak for about 48 to 72 hours using a home refrigerator.
Then remove it from its packaging and season both sides with pepper, coarse or Kosher salt, or any perfect seasoning you know. Leave the meat sitting at room temperature for about 1 hour after seasoning it.
Wrap the exposed bone in foil to prevent it from burning before placing it on the grill.
b. Preheat the Grill
Heat your gas grill before adding the meat to make sure that your meat cooks quickly and evenly. A temperature of about 225 degrees is recommended for best results.
c. grill your tomahawk steak
Once the grill achieves the desired temperature, add the tomahawk steak. At this point, you may use two different methods to grill your steak.
The first method is known as the traditional route, and it involves placing your steak over direct heat, flipping it every three to four minutes. You can sear the steak as you flip it for the best results.
The second method is called the reverse sear method, and it involves placing your steak as far as possible from direct heat. You’re also advised to close the grill’s lid for the best results.
In the reverse searing method, you should leave your steak to grill for about 45 minutes, flipping it every 10 minutes until the internal meat temperature reaches 130 degrees. You then sear the piece of meat on a pan.
Either way, you’ll end up with a delectable meal.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. It should range between 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare doneness.
d. Sear for the best crust
Once the tomahawk steak has reached the desired internal doneness, sear it for a great crust. Turn the burners on high heat and place the steak over direct heat to achieve the best crust.
Flip the meat every 30 seconds for about 3-5 minutes or until you attain your desired level of browned crust.
e. Rest your steak
Remove the steak from the grill and allow it to rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving it. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and tender steak.
f. Serving your tomahawk steak
How you serve your tomahawk steak depends on your personal preference or how your family loves it. But the advice of pro wouldn’t hurt your cooking and serving skills.
Grilling experts recommend that the steak be cut into ½ inch slices after allowing several minutes to rest. Cut it against the grain of the steak for the best results.
Serve each tomahawk steak to 2-4 individuals depending on its size. You may serve it with side dishes like simple salad, greens, baked potatoes, or these BBQ Wok vegetables.
You may even serve it with mushrooms! Literally, anything you love can be served with the tomahawk steak.
What temperature is perfect for grilling Tomahawk steak?
Grilling experts recommend that you grill your tomahawk steak at a high temperature of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your steak cooks quickly and evenly, resulting in a juicy and flavorsome finished product.
How long do I cook my Tomahawk steak?
The time needed to cook a tomahawk steak on a gas grill depends on its thickness and size. However, it’ll take you about 3-4 minutes per side on the grill, or about 8 minutes in total.
But the final result of the steak should be determined by a meat thermometer. Check the internal temperature of the meat to ensure it’s cooked to your liking (a temperature of 125-130 degrees is recommended).
How do I reverse sear tomahawk steak in a gas grill?
Knowing how to reverse sear a tomahawk a steak should be a rite of passage for all serious grill enthusiasts. But if you don’t know how to reverse sear a steak, don’t fret.
To get started, allow the Tomahawk steak to attain room temperature. The meat is sold at a temperature lower than room temperature, so you should leave it to rest for about 30 minutes before cooking.
Then, follow the instruction listed above for cooking a tomahawk steak on a gas grill, as follows:
- Preheat the grill to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Season the steak with pepper and salt
- Place the tomahawk steak on the gas grill and leave it to cook for about 3-4 minutes for each side
- Using a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature of the meat. A temperature of about 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended.
- Use high temperatures to burn the steak to the desired crust
Remove the steak from the grill and serve it.
Tips for grilling Tomahawk steak in a gas grill
Want to take your tomahawk steak grilling skills to the next level? Here are a few tips to help you in your endeavor:
- Marinate your tomahawk steak before grilling it. Marinating it will add flavor and keep it moist while grilling it
- Use high-quality grill seasoning to elevate your steak’s flavor
- Maintain a consistent grilling temperature, adjusting the heat as necessary.
With these tips at your fingertips, you’ll have the ability to cook a perfect tomahawk steak on your gas grill. It’s time to fire up the grill and grill like a pro!
The bottom line
There you have it: a step-by-step instruction to help you grill mouth-watering steak on your gas grill. Now it’s time to impress your family or friends with your grilling prowess.
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