The Everyday Gourmet: How Bone-In Ribeye Fits into a Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy eating is top of mind for many people these days, however, it can be confusing to wade through all of the information out there to identify what’s best for you. One thing is for certain, though, premium New Zealand grass-fed Angus beef will always be a winner at the table when it comes to healthy eating - and taste.

So, what beef cuts should you choose as part of a balanced diet? There are many great ways to enjoy your beef, but today, we will focus on a sometimes overlooked option: the bone-in ribeye.

So, how do you ensure your mouthwatering bone-in ribeye hits the table ready to add a nutritious layer to your diet as a whole? Let’s find out more about this sophisticated cut of meat and explore a few healthy ways to prepare it.

Everyday Healthy Lifestyle Choices

When it comes to healthy lifestyle choices, it’s always good to have a few quick and delicious options for everyday eating. Bone-in ribeye is a perfect option for an everyday healthy meal that you can work into your rotation for weeknights. It's great for a barbecue, a casual meal with friends, or paired with more elaborate sides to deliver as a fabulous dinner party staple.

Premium Beef for Healthy Living

Quality food choices for a healthy diet should include iron-rich proteins, and the bone-in ribeye delivers at the top of the pile here. Choosing beef that has been pasture-fed, where the cattle are able to roam free in a beautiful environment, is a great first step, and opting for a bone in ribeye tomahawk or cowboy cut steak that has been hung for the requisite 21 days on the bone will ensure exceptional flavour and tenderness.

Bone-In Ribeye - The Nutrients

Alongside the taste, bone-in ribeye offers a vitamin and mineral hit, with excellent levels of zinc, potassium, and selenium. It is also high in good fats, such as monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Zinc

Zinc is essential to good health and can reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and promote healthy cell growth. It speeds up wound healing, helps your body synthesise protein, and is essential to growth and development in young people, as every cell in the body has a zinc component. Zinc is also great for your skin, is thought to reduce acne and can also contribute to ensuring you experience tastes and smells at optimum levels.

Selenium

Selenium is a fundamental addition mineral for your body and is a powerful antioxidant. It has been shown to have cancer-fighting properties in some studies and works to protect you by fighting stress caused by oxidation in the body. It lowers inflammation - which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. Oxidative stress is also thought to be a factor in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. Adding selenium to your diet is the best way to reap the benefits of this amazing mineral.

Potassium

Potassium-rich foods can assist with stroke prevention, help lower blood pressure, and are beneficial for the nervous system and retaining your optimal fluid balance. This mineral is classified as an electrolyte and may even help prevent kidney stones taken in the right measures. Iron-rich red meats like bone-in ribeye deliver excellent levels of all these essential nutrients, along with niacin and vitamins B6 and B12.

Preparation is Key

Utilising your bone-in ribeye for optimal healthy results comes down to three factors: where you source your beef, how you prepare the cut and what you serve alongside it. The bone-in ribeye responds beautifully on the barbecue and can be enjoyed reverse-seared for tender, juicy results.

What is Reverse Searing?

Reverse searing is a good way to cook a thick or bone-in steak. You should rest your steak at room temperature for at least an hour, ensure the meat is dry and season it well with good salt. Make sure your barbecue or oven is sitting at a low 120 degrees Celsius, and slowly cook the meat until your meat thermometer registers around 46 degrees. Remove the steak, rest for 10 minutes, then sear it on a smoking hot grill or heavy skillet for 1-2 minutes, turning once. Rest again for a few minutes, then serve.

This healthy preparation technique requires just a touch of oil or clarified butter in the skillet - or a bare approach on the barbecue grill.

Something on the Side

Serving up your sides with nutrition front of mind is the best way to ensure that this everyday gourmet meal is addressing your health goals. The bone-in ribeye is a fantastic option all year round, flexing to suit the mood and the temperature according to what you choose to serve it with.

For the colder months, we love a hassle-back baked potato and a mix of brassicas done in the pan with cayenne pepper, garlic and ginger. Use the skillet, deglazed after the meat, with apple cider vinegar and add a splash of coconut water as your vegetables hit al dente to form a delicious piquant gravy.

Think mashed root vegetables with citrus zest and grated ginger, open a bottle of your best red and bake field mushrooms with garlic and clarified butter nested against the stem topped with panko crumbs, or slip a peppery rocket salad and roasted beetroot onto your plate with salty feta or a nutty havarti to set it off.

Shop the Cut

When it comes to healthy eating, the bone in ribeye always makes the cut. 

At Matangi, we offer a cap-on Cowboy cut weighing approximately 1250 grams or the Tomahawk weighing approximately 700-800 grams. Each well-marbled option delivers succulent grass-fed Angus beef when cooked in the skillet or on the barbecue. Shop now for home delivery; you know you deserve the best.