How many calories are in an 8 oz ribeye? A complete nutritional breakdown

October 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, an 8 oz ribeye steak can contain between 580 to over 660 calories, with its final calorie count heavily influenced by marbling, fat trim, and preparation method. Understanding the variables of how many calories are in an 8 oz ribeye is key for mindful eating.

Quick Summary

An 8 oz ribeye steak typically contains around 580-660 calories, largely depending on the amount of fat marbling and cooking method. The calorie count is primarily composed of fat and protein, as ribeye contains very few carbohydrates.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: An 8 oz ribeye typically contains 580–660+ calories, primarily influenced by its fat content and how it is cooked.
High in Protein and Fat: The steak's calories mainly come from its high levels of protein and fat, with very few carbohydrates.
Grade Matters: A higher grade of beef, like Prime, has more marbling and thus more calories than a leaner Choice cut.
Cooking Method Impacts Calories: Grilling or broiling adds fewer calories than pan-frying with generous amounts of butter or oil.
Strategic Trimming: Trimming away excess visible fat after cooking can effectively reduce the total calories consumed from the steak.
Nutrient-Dense: Ribeye is a good source of essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and various B-vitamins.

The Calorie Breakdown of an 8 oz Ribeye

Determining the precise calorie count for an 8 oz ribeye is not an exact science due to natural variations in the cut. The primary calorie source in a ribeye is its rich marbling, the intramuscular fat that makes the steak so tender and flavorful. Cooked, boneless, and untrimmed, an 8 oz ribeye is often cited as containing somewhere in the range of 580 to 663 calories. Factors like the grade of beef and the specific fat content of the cut will cause this number to fluctuate. A USDA Prime grade steak, for instance, will generally have more fat and therefore more calories than a leaner USDA Choice cut.

Macronutrient Profile

While the calorie count is the headline number, a ribeye's macronutrient profile provides a more complete picture of its nutritional value. For an 8 oz portion, the typical breakdown is as follows:

Protein: Around 40-57 grams. This high protein content is excellent for muscle building and satiety.
Fat: Approximately 40-49 grams. This includes saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats, with a significant portion coming from the desirable marbling.
Carbohydrates: Minimal to none. Ribeye is naturally carb-free, making it suitable for ketogenic or other low-carb diets unless a sugary marinade is used.

Factors That Affect an 8 oz Ribeye's Calorie Count

Understanding how various elements influence the final number of calories is important for accurate tracking.

Grade of Beef: A higher grade like Prime has more marbling and thus more fat, which means a higher calorie count compared to a leaner Select or Choice cut.
Cooking Method: The cooking technique significantly impacts the calorie load. Pan-searing a ribeye in a tablespoon of butter or oil adds approximately 100-120 extra calories. In contrast, grilling without added fat keeps the steak's inherent calorie count more stable.
Fat Trim: An 8 oz ribeye refers to the weight of the raw meat. During cooking, some fat renders away. Furthermore, an individual can choose to trim off excess visible fat after cooking, effectively reducing the consumed calories.
Added Ingredients: Sauces, glazes, or toppings can add significant calories and sugars. A simple salt and pepper seasoning is the lowest-calorie option.

Ribeye vs. Other Popular Steak Cuts: A Comparison

For those comparing steak cuts, an 8 oz portion offers a useful benchmark. The table below compares the estimated calories and fat content of an 8 oz ribeye to popular leaner cuts, assuming a standard cooked preparation.


Steak Cut (8 oz)	Estimated Calories	Estimated Fat (g)	Key Characteristic
Ribeye	580–660	40–49	Rich marbling, high fat content
Tenderloin	440–480	28–32	Exceptionally tender, very lean
Sirloin	420–440	26–28	Good balance of flavor and leanness

Tips for Cooking and Reducing Calories

For those looking to enjoy a flavorful ribeye while keeping calories in check, consider these practical tips:

Choose the right cooking method: Opt for grilling or broiling over pan-searing with excessive oil. These methods cook the steak effectively while allowing some of the fat to drip away.
Trim before eating: While the marbling is delicious, you can physically cut away the larger, visible pockets of fat to reduce the overall fat and calorie intake.
Measure added fats: When searing, be mindful of how much butter or oil you're adding to the pan. A light spray is often enough for flavor and to prevent sticking.
Control your portion size: Restaurant portions are often larger than a recommended serving. Stick to an 8 oz cut to enjoy the richness without overindulging.
Flavor with herbs and spices: Instead of heavy, calorie-laden sauces, use simple seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh herbs to enhance the flavor without adding calories.

The Nutritional Value Beyond the Calories

Beyond just calories and macronutrients, an 8 oz ribeye is also a source of important vitamins and minerals. These include:

Zinc: Crucial for immune function and metabolism.
Iron: Essential for red blood cell production.
B-Vitamins: Rich in B6, B12, and niacin, which support energy production and nervous system health.
Selenium: An antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.

Conclusion

In summary, an 8 oz ribeye steak contains a significant number of calories, ranging typically from 580 to over 660, with the exact number largely dependent on its fat marbling and how it's prepared. The majority of these calories come from its high protein and fat content. By understanding the nutritional breakdown and making smart choices about preparation and trimming, you can enjoy this flavorful cut of beef while staying on track with your dietary goals. For more details on different beef cuts, consult resources from Beef. It's What's For Dinner.

Summary of Ribeye Calorie Details

Calorie Range: An 8 oz ribeye can contain between 580 and 663+ calories, with variability depending on fat content and grade.
Protein Content: A high-protein meal, offering approximately 40 to 57 grams per 8 oz serving.
Fat Content: Rich marbling contributes 40 to 49 grams of fat to the total calorie count.
Cooking Impact: Frying or searing with added oils and butter increases calories significantly compared to grilling.
Trimming Fat: Cutting away excess visible fat is an effective way to lower the overall calorie count of the meal.
Nutrient-Rich: In addition to macros, ribeye is a great source of iron, zinc, and B-vitamins.
Carb-Free: A natural fit for low-carb diets, as the steak itself contains no carbohydrates.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary factor is the amount of marbling, or intramuscular fat, in the specific cut of beef. More marbling means a higher fat content and a greater number of calories.

Cooking methods affect the calorie count by either adding fat or allowing it to render off. Pan-frying with added oil or butter increases calories, whereas grilling or broiling can help reduce them.

Yes, the grade of beef impacts the calorie count. Higher grades like USDA Prime have more marbling than Choice or Select grades, resulting in a higher fat content and more calories.

Fat is a major source of calories in a ribeye. At 9 calories per gram, an 8 oz ribeye containing 40-49g of fat would get 360-441 of its calories from fat alone.

Yes, you can reduce the calories by physically trimming off and not eating the larger, visible pockets of fat from the steak after cooking.

A plain 8 oz ribeye steak is naturally carb-free. Carbs are only introduced if a sugary marinade or sauce is used during preparation.

An 8 oz ribeye typically has a higher calorie count than an 8 oz sirloin. The sirloin is a leaner cut of beef with less fat, resulting in fewer calories per serving.

The calories are calculated based on the edible portion of the meat. A bone-in ribeye and a boneless ribeye of the same weight (e.g., 8 oz) of meat would have a very similar calorie count, assuming all other factors are equal.

Typically, yes. Bison meat is known to be leaner than beef, so an 8 oz bison ribeye would generally contain fewer calories than an 8 oz beef ribeye.