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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Rib eye steak

Rib eye steak is a beef steak cut from the rib section of cattle.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Rib eye steak is a beef cut from the rib section of cattle, known for its marbling and tenderness. In Canada, it's a common premium steak sold under the ribeye name.

What it is

Rib eye steak comes from the beef rib primal, located between the chuck and the loin. The cut is usually boneless and includes the longissimus dorsi muscle (the eye) along with the spinalis dorsi (the cap). A bone-in version is generally called rib steak.

Why it's prized

The cut is valued for heavy marbling, which gives it a tender texture and rich, beefy flavour. These traits make ribeye one of the most popular premium steak cuts in Canada and elsewhere.

Regional names

In North America it is sold as ribeye or rib eye steak. In Australia and New Zealand it is commonly called Scotch fillet. The name refers to the rib section and the central eye of meat.

In short

  • Cut from the rib primal of beef cattle
  • Usually boneless; bone-in version is rib steak
  • Known for heavy marbling, tenderness, and flavour
  • Includes the eye and the cap muscle
Canadian angle

Rib eye steak is a common retail and restaurant cut in Canada, where it is typically sold under the ribeye or rib eye name and may also appear in menus as a premium steak cut.

Quick questions

What is rib eye steak?
A beef steak cut from the rib section of cattle, usually sold boneless and known for its marbling and tenderness.
Is rib eye steak the same as rib steak?
They are closely related: ribeye usually refers to the boneless cut, while rib steak is the bone-in version.
What makes rib eye steak popular?
Its high marbling gives it a tender texture and strong flavour, making it a popular premium steak cut.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rib_eye_steak
    Supports: Basic definition; boneless rib steak from the rib section; alternate name Scotch fillet.
  2. Simple English Wikipediahttps://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rib_eye_steak
    Supports: Rib section origin; tenderness and marbling; longissimus dorsi and spinalis description.
  3. Cambridge Dictionaryhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/rib-eye
    Supports: Definition as beef cut from around the ribs.
  4. Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rib%20eye
    Supports: Definition as meat lying along the outer side of the rib of a steer.
  5. BBC Good Foodhttps://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/rib-eye-steak-glossary
    Supports: Cut from the main muscle attached to the spine; flavor and roasting context.
  6. Omaha Steakshttps://www.omahasteaks.com/blog/what-is-a-ribeye/
    Supports: Rib primal location; ribs six through twelve; muscles in the cut; prime rib comparison.