5 Spencer Steak Facts to Know for a Delicious Meal
Spencer steak, also known as boneless rib-eye, is a prime rib cut, tender and juicy, with minimal connective tissue, making it a top choice for a flavorful meal.
Are you wondering, what is Spencer steak? Different types of steak are better for different purposes. If you want to figure out if a Spencer steak is right for you, take a look at a few important points below.
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What Is Spencer Steak?
Spencer steak is a term that is commonly used on the west coast for a boneless ribeye steak. Different parts of the country refer to the same cuts of meat by different names but it always makes a good meal.
You have probably had a boneless rib-eye steak before, but you may not have heard it referred to as a Spencer steak unless you live on the West Coast or have visited frequently.
What Cut of Meat Is Spencer Steak?
Spencer Steak, also called boneless rib-eye steak, is cut from a prime rib. There are different types of prime rib, and a boneless rib-eye steak is one of the most common examples.
Even though a Spencer steak is a boneless ribeye steak, you can also purchase a rib-eye steak that still has the long bone attached to it. If the bone is still attached, it is typically called a Tomahawk Steak.
Is Spencer Steak a Good Cut of Meat?
Yes, a Spencer steak is a very good cut of meat. A boneless rib-eye steak is a type of prime rib. Because of the location of the prime rib, it is essentially the “eye” of meat in the center.
It is tender, juicy, and marble with plenty of fat. Because there is a lot of fat around the muscle tissue, it is incredibly juicy and tender.
Even though it is surrounded by fat, there is typically not a lot of fat and prime rib. This means that you are getting a lot of meat for your dollar.
Finally, prime rib is also a very good cut of meat because it does not have a lot of connective tissue. This means that there is less for you to cut through, and also contributes to the tenderness of the steak itself.
For all of these reasons, a boneless rib-eye steak is a very good cut of meat because it is prime rib.
What Is Another Name for Spencer Steak?
You have probably heard of a boneless rib-eye steak referred to by numerous other names. Common examples include Scotch fillet, market steak, beauty steak, and Delmonico.
How Do You Cook a Spencer Steak?
If you have invested in a good spencer steak, you need to know how to cook it properly. Some of the steps to follow include:
1. Buy the Right Thickness
First, you want to buy a Spencer steak that is of the right thickness. In general, you should get a cut of meat that is approximately 1 to 1.5 inches thick.
This is important because it keeps the center of the steak more insulated from the heat, giving you more flexibility when you go to cook it.
2. Brine the Steak
Regardless of how you intend on cooking the steak, you will get more flavor out of it if you salt the steak approximately 24 hours before you cook it. This is called brining the steak.
The process is relatively straightforward. Take out a cooking rack, place the steak on a sheet pan, and place the sheet pan on the rack.
Then, add the salt to the steak. You can add salt on both sides of the steak if you would like, but this is a matter of personal preference. Place the entire thing back in the refrigerator, and leave it uncovered.
The salt is important because it will bring the moisture out of the steak, but as the salt dissolves in the moisture, the moisture will absorb back into the steak.
When the steak re-absorbs the moisture, it will bring the salt into the steak with it. That way, the steak is seasoned all the way through.
3. Bring the Steak To Room Temperature
Before you are ready to cook the steak, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to come all the way up to room temperature. This will probably take several hours, so do not hesitate to get the steak out of the refrigerator half a day early.
Using a paper towel, pat the steak on both sides so that it is completely dry. Once you are done, take the sheet pan and rack, place them in the sink, and wash them. You will need them again later.
4. Sear the Spencer Steak
Now, it is time to sear the steak. There are several points involved in this step, which include:
- Preheat the oven. If you are using an oven, preheat it to 400 degrees F.
- Next, take out a cast-iron skillet. You should heat the skillet on high heat on the stove.
- Take approximately 0.25 tsp of olive oil and swab the steak with it on both sides. Once the steak has been boiled, season it with salt and pepper. If you want to add some freshly chopped garlic, you can do so as well.
- Take the oiled steak and sear it in the cast iron pan. Cook it on one side for about 2.5 minutes. Then, flip the steak over and cook it on the other side for approximately 90 seconds. This should be enough to completely sear the steak.
- With the steak seared, take the cast iron skillet and move it to the oven. This is where it will finish cooking, and the oven should have been preheated to 400 degrees F. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your steak, but it is recommended that you cook your steak to a rare or medium-rare temperature. Do not cook this steak over 140 degrees F, which is medium. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the steak as it goes.
5. Let the Steak Rest Before Slicing
Once the steak is at the desired temperature, pull it out of the oven. Keep in mind that it will be very hot, so use potholders. You should let the steak rest before you slice it.
Take the steak out of the oven, put it in a safe location to cool, and slice it after approximately 10 minutes. Take a look at the inside, make sure you like the appearance, and serve it!
Further Reading: Delicious Chimichurri Sauce
There are plenty of delicious sauces you can serve with Spencer steak, but one of the most popular is a chimichurri sauce.
Even though you can buy chimichurri sauce from the store, you may be interested in making your own here! Serve it up with your steak!
