The Best Rib Eye Steak with Cherry Sauce

There’s something deeply satisfying about a perfectly seared ribeye—rich fat, crusted edges, and tender interior. Thrive Market’s recipe pairs that classic steak with a cherry steak sauce that balances sweetness, acidity, and savor with finesse. The result: a dish that feels refined enough for dinner guests, yet accessible enough for weekday indulgence.

What helps the sauce shine is its ingredient list: onions, red bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, cherries, red wine, vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar. None of these elements carry gluten by nature, so the recipe is inherently gluten-friendly (just be sure your ingredients like tomato paste or wine don’t include hidden gluten fillers).

Because the steak is cooked simply—salted, peppered, and grilled or pan-seared—the cherry sauce becomes the star. It complements the beef’s richness with brightness and depth. Serve alongside vegetables or hearty sides, and you have a dinner that feels elevated without unnecessary fuss.

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Rib Eye Steak with Cherry Sauce

Recipe Details

Yield: 4 servings, and 2 cups sauce
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Rib Eye Steak w/ Cherry Sauce Ingredients

For the steak:

• 1-pound Ribeye Steak
• Sea salt
• Ground pepper
• Olive oil

For the cherry steak sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded, deveined, and chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed
• Sea salt
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 ½ cups fresh or thawed frozen pitted sweet cherries
• ¼ cup dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

How to Make Rib Eye Steak w/ Cherry Sauce

1. Make the steak: Let steak come to room temperature. Pat dry and generously season with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat gas or charcoal grill to high heat. Add oil to grill or grill pan. Grill the steak on one side until golden brown and charred in spots, 4 to 6 mins. Flip the steak and grill, rotating, until cooked as desired (4 to 6 mins more for medium rare to medium). Let steak rest 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Make the sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
4. Stir in the onion, pepper, garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Stir in the tomato paste and cumin and cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 4 minutes.
6. Stir in the wine, vinegar, and sugar.
7. Transfer the mixture to a blender, and blend until smooth.
8. Return the sauce to the skillet, bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook until it’s a little looser than ketchup, 2 to 4 minutes. Season with more salt and sugar to taste and serve with the steak.

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Rib Eye Steak Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per serving (recipe yields 4 servings). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size	1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
Calories	≈ 430 kcal
Protein	≈ 28 g
Carbs	≈ 14 g
Sugar	≈ 9 g
Fiber	≈ 1 g
Fat	≈ 30 g

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Rib Eye Steak Variations & Tips

• Adjust cherry sweetness: Use tart cherries or reduce sugar if your cherries are naturally sweet.
• Chunky vs smooth sauce: Blend fully for a silky texture or pulse less for chunks of fruit and pepper.
• Wine alternative: Use a non-alcoholic red wine or extra vinegar if you prefer sans alcohol.
• Add herbs: Stir in fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley at the end for garden brightness.
• Reduce for thickness: Let the sauce simmer a few extra minutes to thicken to your preferred consistency.
• Double sauce: Make extra to serve with grilled vegetables or drizzle on mashed potatoes.

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Best Rib Eye Steak Pairings

• Roasted root vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, or sweet potatoes absorb the sauce beautifully.
• Garlic mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash: Use them to soak up every drop of sauce.
• Grilled asparagus or green beans: Crisp greens contrast the richness of steak and sauce.
• Simple side salad: A light mixed greens salad with vinaigrette adds freshness.
• Red wine or robust beer: A medium-bodied red or dark ale pairs well with cherry and beef flavors.

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When to Make Rib Eye Steak

• Special dinners or date nights: Elegant enough to impress but relatively straightforward.
• Holiday or celebratory meals: The cherry sauce adds flair to a steak centerpiece.
• Grill & steak nights: Use this as your signature sauce when you want to elevate steak night.
• Dinner parties: Make the sauce ahead and reheat gently when serving — minimizes last-minute stress.
• Father’s Day or indulgent meals: Steak and cherry sauce feels like a treat worthy of a celebration.

Reprinted from Eat a Little Better. Copyright © 2018 by Sam Kass. Photographs copyright © 2018 by Aubrie Pick. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.