Ribeye Steak Sandwich With Caramelized Onions & Herb Mayo
This Ribeye Steak Sandwich recipe combines tender beef, melty brie cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a garlic mayonnaise sauce on toasted ciabatta bread. Easy to prepare, it’s the perfect recipe for an indulgent lunch or a fun, quick dinner the entire family will love! 
I truly believe that when it comes to sandwiches, nothing can top a good steak sandwich, and this really is the best juicy steak sandwich you’ll ever taste. This recipe proves that sandwiches don’t have to be bland, boring, or even cold! Worthy of a restaurant, it features a combination of tastes and textures that is absolutely out of this world. It does require a bit of planning, but the entire dish comes together quickly, and the end result is so worth the effort! I love to prepare ribeye steak sandwiches for gameday parties or family gatherings. They’re guaranteed to make your guests fall in love from their first bite!
Why You Will Love This Ribeye Steak Sandwich
- One recipe makes enough for 4 filling sandwiches and can easily be doubled or even tripled if you’re feeding a hungry crowd.
- With savory ribeye, sweet onions, creamy, tangy mayo, and soft, toasted ciabatta, these sandwiches provide a combination of tastes and textures that make your taste buds sing.
- You can easily prepare the ingredients in advance and assemble the sandwiches later for a quick meal in minutes.
- These ribeye steak sandwiches are very adaptable, meaning you can mix and match different ingredients to suit all your flavor preferences and dietary needs.
- Made with protein, carbs, and fats, you can easily serve this recipe on its own as a complete meal, but it also pairs well with all your favorite side dishes!
Ingredients You Need To Cook The Steaks
- Steaks: You’ll need two 14-ounce ribeye steaks roughly 1 ½ inches thick for this recipe. Bone-in ribeyes will provide the richest flavor, but boneless ribeyes will be easier to cut. So, choose what works best for you! You can typically find these at your local grocery store or a local butcher shop near you.
- Olive Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil but any type of cooking oil that has a high smoke point can be used such as avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Spices: Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder enhance the savory flavor of the steak.
Ingredients You Need For The Honey Balsamic Caramelized Onions
- Onions: I recommend using yellow onions because they have a sweeter flavor than other varieties. For quick cooking and easy sandwich assembly, slice them very thinly.
- Butter: This helps cook the onions, creating a soft texture and a rich taste. If salted butter is all you have, omit the extra salt, or simply reduce the amount included.
- Salt: Just a pinch helps sweat the onions, reducing their moisture content and enhancing their flavor.
- Honey: This enhances the natural sweetness of the onions even further and is key to the caramelization process.
- Balsamic Vinegar: This helps deglaze the pan, and the tangy, slightly sweet flavor complements the onions perfectly, adding extra depth to the dish.
Ingredients You Need For The Herb Mayonnaise
- Mayonnaise: Any type of store bought or homemade mayonnaise can be used as the base of the creamy honey sauce. Sour cream or Greek yogurt can also be used in place of mayo if preferred.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are best, but pre-minced varieties will also work.
- Chives: These add a subtle oniony flavor.
How To Make This Ribeye Steak Sandwich
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the steaks come to room temperature before you begin. Then, I like to pat them dry with a paper towel and rub olive oil all over the steaks. Next, generously season them on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place the steaks in the heated air fryer, and cook for 5 minutes. Then, flip them over, and cook for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F.
- While the steaks are cooking, melt the butter in a pan on medium high heat. Add in the onions, and sprinkle them with salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onions begin to soften. Then, add in the honey and balsamic, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the onions are soft and coated in the honey balsamic sauce. Set the caramelised onion mixture aside until you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, garlic, and chives.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the ciabatta rolls, place them on a baking sheet, and butter one side of each. Place the thin slices of brie cheese on the unbuttered halves. Then, transfer the tray to the preheated oven, and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese begins to soften (but not completely melt) and the bread becomes toasted.
- Assemble the sandwiches by spreading the mayonnaise sauce on the buttered half. Add the sliced tomato and arugula. Then, add the slices of steak to the bun with the melted cheese along with a big spoonful of the sauteed onions. Combine the two sandwich halves, and enjoy warm!
You can find full step by step instructions in the recipe card below
Can I Use A Different Type of Steak
Technically, you can use any cut of beef you like best for this steak sandwich recipe, however, for the best results, I recommend using a well-marbled cut of meat. Not only does this keep the steak tender and juicy, but it also ensures that your sandwich has a rich, meaty flavor. Sirloin steak, steak filet, strip steak, skirt steak, and flank steak are my favorite alternatives! Choose cuts that are fairly thick and uniform in size for quick, even cooking.
How To Cook The Steak On The Stovetop
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily cook your steaks on a grill pan or in a cast iron skillet instead. If you’re looking to achieve a nice sear, the best way to do so is to use a cast iron pan. Either way, you’ll want to heat a large skillet or pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add a small glug of oil. Season the steaks as normal, and arrange them in a single layer in the pan. Cook for 5 minutes on each side or until your desired doneness is reached and the steaks have a nice crust. Then, remove the steaks from the pan, let them rest for at least 5 minutes, and proceed with the recipe as normal.
How To Grill The Steak
Grilling rib eye steak is very similar to cooking it on the stove, especially if you use a grill pan. However, it does add a delicious smokey flavor and creates a slightly charred exterior. To do so, grease your grill grates, and heat a gas grill or charcoal grill to medium high heat. Season the steaks as instructed in the recipe card below. Then, place them directly on the grates, and cook for 5 minutes per side or until your desired doneness is achieved. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes. Then, continue to build your ribeye steak sandwich, and enjoy!
How to Slice Ribeye for Sandwiches
For the most tender meat, it’s important to slice against the grain. This means slicing perpendicular to the muscle fibers of the meat. Also, be sure to create thin slices so you can easily layer them in your sandwich. For easy slicing, make sure to use an extra sharp knife! The thin size also makes it easier to bite and chew without having to cut your sandwich with a knife.
How To Make This Ribeye Steak Sandwich Paleo
On its own, this Ribeye Steak Sandwich recipe is not very Paleo-friendly. However, with a few simple swaps, it can fit a variety of dietary needs, and you don’t have to sacrifice any flavor! For instance, to create a Paleo steak sandwich, skip the brie, and swap the butter for ghee. Then, wrap the meat up in a lettuce wrap, or place it between two portobello mushrooms instead of a bun. The sandwich is still quick and easy to make and has all the sweet, savory flavor we want!
Can I Use A Different Type Of Cheese
Absolutely, brie cheese has a unique flavor and consistency in that it’s rich, buttery, and creamy all at once. However, you can substitute any cheese you like best for these Ribeye Steak Sandwiches. Mozzarella, slices of provolone cheese, cheddar cheese, and pepper jack cheese all make great options. Or, use your favorite dairy free cheese (and butter) to keep this recipe dairy free!
Serving Suggestions For These Ribeye Steak Sandwiches
I serve these sandwiches on a toasted ciabatta roll. However, a toasted hoagie roll or French rolls also make a good option. Then, I add all the best toppings including peppery arugula, Romao tomato slices, Brie cheese, and garlic mayo. However, you can add any toppings you like best. For instance, red onions or thin strips of green peppers make a great addition for a mouthwatering sandwich similar to a classic Philly cheesesteak. Feel free to add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth, too. Or, opt for hot sauce if you want a little extra heat. Honestly, these sandwiches are filling enough to serve on their own as a complete meal, but, I like to boost the nutrient content by pairing them with a veggie side. Some of my favorite options include grilled eggplant, sheet pan roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, bacon & red onion, or charred asparagus. If you’re feeling extra hungry or feeding a crowd you can add a side of fries or potato chips, too! No matter how you serve this recipe you really can’t go wrong.
What About Leftover Ribeye Steak Sandwiches
I don’t recommend making these sandwiches ahead of time as they’re likely to become soggy, and nobody likes soggy bread! However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 1 day. Then, enjoy them cold, or quickly warm them in the air fryer, a cast orion pan, or wrapped in aluminum foil in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, if you do think you’ll have leftovers, I recommend only assembling one sandwich at a time. Then, you can store leftover cooked steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw the steak in the fridge overnight, and use it to make more sandwiches, or add it to salads for a boost of protein. You can even use it to make a fun crostini appetizer!
Here are a few more steak recipes that you might enjoy:
- Leftover Steak & Tomato Salad
- Thai Beef Salad
- Grilled Hanger Steak with Tomato Salad
- Steak with Dairy Free Peppercorn Sauce
- Chimichurri Steak Salad
- Garlic Herb Steak Bites with Mushrooms
If you make this Ribeye Steak Sandwich recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think, or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
Ribeye Steak Sandwiches with Honey Balsamic Caramelized Onions & Herb Mayonnaise
Ingredients
Steaks
- 2 14oz ribeye steaks approx 1 ½ inches in thickness
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Honey Balsamic Caramelized Onions
- 2 yellow onions halved and then thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Herb Mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
Sandwich Toppings
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 large roma tomato sliced paper thin
- 1 tbsp butter
- 4 ciabatta rolls
- 6 oz Brie cheese thinly sliced
Instructions
- Rub olive oil all over the steaks and then generously season them on both sides with salt, pepper and garlic powder
- Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the steaks in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes and then flip and cook for another 5 minutes. Stovetop: Heat a pan on high heat, once hot (but not smoking) add the steak and cook for 3 minutes before flipping and cooking for an additional 3 minutes. Let the steaks sit on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
- While steaks are cooking prepare the onions. Melt butter in a pan on medium high heat. Add in the onions and sprinkle with salt. Cook for 5 minutes until the onions begin to soften and then add in the honey and balsamic and cook for 8-10 minutes until the liquid has evaporated and the onions are soft and coated in the honey balsamic sauce.
- In a small bowl stir together the mayonnaise, garlic and chives.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the ciabatta rolls, place them on a baking sheet and butter one side of each and place the thin slices of brie on the other half. Place the tray in the oven and leave for 4-5 minutes until the cheese begins to soften (but not completely melt) and the bread becomes toasted
- Assemble the sandwiches by spreading the mayonnaise sauce on the buttered half, followed by the sliced tomato and arugula. On the half with the brie cheese add the steak and a big spoonful of the onions. Combine the two halves and enjoy.
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