Ribeyesteaks are mostly composed of thelongissimus dorsi muscle but also contain thecomplexus andspinalis muscles. The longissimus dorsi is also referred to as the "eye of the ribeye". The spinalis is also referred to as the "ribeye cap" and the complexus is a small muscle at the front of the ribeye which may be trimmed off by the butcher.[1]
It is both flavoursome and tender, coming from the lightly worked upper rib cage area which spans from the sixth to twelfth ribs of the cattle.[1] Itsmarbling of fat makes it very good for fast and hot cooking.
A "tomahawk chop" steak is a ribeye beef steak, trimmed leaving at least five inches of rib bone intact, French trimmed taking the meat and fat from the bared bone to create a distinctive ‘handle’ to the steak.[6]
