Campfire Grilled Tomahawk Steak

There are few things better than the flavor of perfectly marbled, juicy, beefy steaks cooked over an open fire. This Campfire Grilled Tomahawk Steak gets a kiss of smoke from the flame that puts it over the top! Easier to make than you might think, light that campfire and make this hearty steak today!

What’s a Tomahawk Steak?

Tomahawk steaks are huge steaks! They’re colossal ribeye steaks with a giant rib bone on them. Looking like a giant meat tomahawk, this is a specialty cut you’ll probably have to get from your butcher. The extra-long bone – at least 5-inches, is trimmed – or frenched – so that the bone is clean. This is an impressive cut of meat that’s extra delicious because of the bone.

Also called a tomahawk ribeye, most grocery stores don’t carry these steaks, so you’ll probably need to order this from your local butcher. Give them a few days notice.

What You Need For Campfire Grilled Tomahawk Steaks

The beauty of grilling tomahawk steaks is how few ingredients you need to make an outstanding meal. This dish is all about the campfire steak – oh, and the butter. Don’t forget the butter! Butter on steaks makes everything better – trust me on this! 

• Tomahawk steak – Place your order with your local butcher a few days in advance.
• Girl Carnivore Ooomami Seasoning – Or your favorite steak seasoning.
• Salt – I love kosher salt.
• Butter 
• Parmesan cheese – Freshly shaved to garnish (optional but recommended.)
• Freshly ground black pepper

How To Grill The Best Tomahawk Steak

Forget your patio gas or charcoal grill; for the best steak, you need fire. Real fire. Get your fire started early enough to give the flames time to subside and to form coals. Too much smoke of the initial fire smoke will overpower the amazing beefy flavor of the steak.

Build a campfire for 2-zone heat with a hot side with stacked coals and a cooler side. Put the cooking grate over the fire to preheat.

Pat the steak dry and liberally season with salt. Let the steak sit out for about 20 minutes to warm up.

Season both sides of the steak with GirlCarnivore Ooomami, then place the steak on the cooler side of the grill.

Cook the steaks over indirect heat for about 45 minutes or until the steak reaches 120-F. 

Transfer the steak to direct heat and sear it, flipping as needed to avoid flare-ups, until a crust forms and the steak reaches an internal temperature of 130-F for medium-rare.

Top the steak with butter and rest it tented with foil for about 5-10 minutes.

Slice the steak from the bone, then cut it into strips against the grain. You’ll need a cutting board for this.

Serve topped with shaved Parmesan, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of coarse salt.

Dig in!

Recipe Tips

• Getting the right kind of fire for grilling a tomahawk is essential, so don’t rush it! You need hot coals, not a raging inferno. Resist the temptation to load on more wood while cooking it, or the new smoke will overwhelm the meat’s flavor.
• Letting the steak sit out for a bit to warm up will help it cook more evenly.
• Do you know why steakhouse steaks are so damn good? Butter. Yup, every steak is topped with butter before serving. The butter adds richness, salt, flavor, and pools at the bottom to create an amazing sauce.
• How many people does a tomahawk steak feed? It’ll feed 2, maybe 3 diners.
• Use a good instant-read meat thermometer to make sure you don’t overcook your steak.
• Let the steaks rest! Resting time is important so that the juices don’t come out of your perfect grilled tomahawk steak.

What to Serve with a Tomahawk Steak

Who says you need anything with it? I love going GirlCarnivore on this cut of beef and filling up on rich, fatty, and oh-so-good steak. If you must have something else with it, try a pan of Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, or potato salad.

Storage Instructions

Do you mean you’ve got leftover grilled ribeye steak? To store leftovers, wrap them tightly and pop it in the fridge for 2-3 days, and they’ll be fine. Serve the leftovers cold or warm them up gently, so you don’t overcook them.

More Grilled Steak Recipes