SCA Ribeye Steaks Recipe – How to cook a Ribeye for a Steak contest
Steak Cookoffs are quickly becoming the fastest growing segment of the BBQ world and the SCA is the sanctioning body behind cooking these SCA Ribeye Steaks. At an SCA event the rules are simple; contestants draw a number at the cooks meeting, line up in order, and have 30 seconds to select a ribeye steak. Once everyone goes through the line, the numbers are reversed and you pick one more steak. Typically turn-in time is about 4 hours later and any fire or heat source can be used to cook the steaks. One SCA Ribeye Steaks is turned in for blind judging. It goes in a take-out style container sitting on a foil disc provided by the organizers. There’s no garnish allowed so it’s all about the steak. The entries are judged for: Appearance (does it look appetizing?), Doneness (medium – warm pink center), Texture (is it tender?) Taste (do you enjoy the flavor), and Over All impression. The SCA has a double blind system in place for this process; judges have no way of knowing whose steak is in the box. Every contestant is given a ticket at the turn-in table and it must be signed. When it’s all over, the winning numbers are announced, and that’s when you find out who holds the winning ticket.I was hooked 2 years ago when I cook my first SCA contest and here’s how I cook the winning SCA Ribeye:
First off we need to talk about selecting the perfect ribeye. I’m looking for a steak that has plenty of marbling because that’s where the flavor is. Also I look for the spinalis or “cap” which is where the most tender meat is located. The perfect ribeye should have a large eye and plenty of cap meat for the judges to sample.







SCA Ribeye Steaks Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Ribeye Steaks 16-18oz ea
- 1 Tablespoon Killer Hogs The AP Rub
- 1 Tablespoon Killer Hogs The Steak Rub
- 2 teaspoons Killer Hogs The Hot Rub
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter
Instructions
- Prepare Charcoal or Gas Grill for direct heat. Grate temperature of 500⁰.
- Remove excess fat from sides of each ribeye along with any silver skin on the edges.
- Season each side with Killer Hogs AP Rub and rest in a cooler for 30 minutes, then layer on Killer Hogs Steak Rub, and a light coat of Killer Hogs Hot Rub.
- Place each ribeye on grill grate and set timer for 2 minutes.
- Twist each ribeye 90⁰ and grill additional 2 minutes.
- Turn ribeyes over and set timer for 1 minute 45 seconds.
- Baste with melted butter mixed with ½ teaspoon AP Rub, turn each steak 90⁰, and remove from grill when internal temperature reaches 128-130⁰ on instant read thermometer. Total cook time is approximately 8 minutes.
- Rest ribeyes for 5-7 minutes before turning into judges.

Have a Question About This Recipe?
Connect with us in our HowToBBQRight Facebook group for recipe help, to share your pictures, giveaways, and more!
Great video. Going to try it!!!
Thanks for sharing this excellent “how to” for grilling Ribeye’s ~ Love this entire post, Video and Recipe summation!!
interested in getting started in some steak contest..
visit https://www.steakcookoffs.com/ and find a contest close to you – and sign up and cook! It’s a blast
Watched your video and did my first sca steak competition. I finished 2nd with a total score of 240.5. With a little more practice I think that I can improve. Thank you for the tips and video. highly recommended
AWESOME! Big Congrats!
You say you have 4 hrs after selection of steaks to turn them in. Does it then make it possible to Reverse Sear the Steak?
sure – you do have time for a reverse sear
Malcom i followed your videos and took 1st in ribs at a kcbs event! Im going to follow this technique at my first sca event in 2 weeks. Thanks for all your help i hope i can shake your hand one day
awesome! big congrats
I followed the recipe using similar ingredients/rubs I had on hand and did them on my gas grill. They turned out awesome. My wife said they are the best steaks I’ve ever made. Thanks for the video and instructions.
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing! Great looking stuff!!
★★★★★
Thanks for the advice Malcolm! Just finished the SCA comp this past weekend in New Zealand and came in 2nd with a total score of 250.9 using this technique!
★★★★★
Love your videos big guy!!! I live here in KC and you KNOW a brother has to be good at the BBQ!! Thanks for all the help. My family and friends love my food, thanks to you!!