By Bill Ohaire | Published: April 2026 | Last Updated: April 2026

Perfectly seared beef steak on a hot BBQ grill

Photo by Mohamed Olwy on Pexels

Quick Answer

BBQ Scotch Fillet for 4-5 min/side over direct heat at 230-260°C (450-500°F). Internal temp: 60-63°C (140-145°F). Rest for 5-8 min.

Scotch Fillet BBQ Cooking Times

Here is everything you need to know about cooking ribeye steak (scotch fillet) on the BBQ. We cover direct grilling, indirect heat, and smoking times with temperatures in Celsius (and Fahrenheit) so you get perfect results every time.

MethodTemperatureTime
Direct Grilling230-260°C (450-500°F)4-5 min/side
Indirect Heat230-260°C (450-500°F)12-15 min total

Thickness: 2.5cm (1 inch) | Rest time: 5-8 min

Internal Temperature Guide

Use a calibrated digital meat thermometer for accuracy. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat, away from bone or fat pockets, which can give false readings.

Rare
49-51°C
Med-Rare
54-57°C
Medium
60-63°C
Med-Well
65-68°C
Well Done
71°C+
DonenessInternal Temperature
Rare49-51°C (120-125°F)
Medium-Rare54-57°C (130-135°F)
Medium60-63°C (140-145°F)
Medium-Well65-68°C (150-155°F)
Well Done71°C+ (160°F+)
Food Safety

Whole muscle cuts of beef are safe at 63°C (145°F) with a 3-minute rest, according to food safety authorities. Use a calibrated meat thermometer in the thickest part, away from bone.

Tips for Perfect Scotch Fillet

Pro Tip

Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before grilling. Pat dry for better sear. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Temperature accuracy matters more than timing. Factors like wind, ambient temperature, grill type, and meat thickness all affect cook times. Always verify doneness with a thermometer rather than relying solely on the clock. — AmazingRibs.com

Common Mistakes to Avoid

How to BBQ Scotch Fillet — Step by Step

  1. Prep: Bring the ribeye steak to room temperature 20-30 minutes before cooking. Pat dry with paper towel and season generously.
  2. Preheat: Get your BBQ to 230-260°C (450-500°F). Set up a two-zone fire with direct and indirect heat areas.
  3. Cook: Place over direct heat and cook for 4-5 min/side. Flip once.
  4. Check temp: Use a digital thermometer. Target 60-63°C (140-145°F) in the thickest part.
  5. Rest: Remove from heat and rest for 5-8 min before cutting or serving. The internal temperature will rise 2-3°C during rest.

Compare: Other Beef Cuts

See how scotch fillet compares to other popular beef cuts on the BBQ:

Porterhouse (AU)
4-5 min/side
230-260°C (450-500°F)
T-Bone Steak
5-6 min/side
230-260°C (450-500°F)
Rump Steak
3-4 min/side
230-260°C (450-500°F)

View all cooking times →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you BBQ ribeye steak?

Grill ribeye steak for 4-5 min/side over direct heat at 230-260°C (450-500°F). Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 60-63°C (140-145°F).

These times assume 2.5cm (1 inch) thickness at room temperature. Colder meat straight from the fridge can add 25-50% more time. Wind, lid position, and fuel type also affect total cook time significantly.
Source: AmazingRibs.com — The Science of BBQ

What temperature should ribeye steak be when cooked?

The safe internal temperature for ribeye steak is 60-63°C (140-145°F). Use a digital meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, away from any bone.

Whole muscle cuts are safe at lower temperatures than minced products because bacteria only exists on the exterior surface, which is killed by searing.
Source: Food Standards Australia New Zealand

How long should ribeye steak rest after BBQ?

Rest ribeye steak for 5-8 min after removing from the BBQ. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier, more flavourful result. The internal temperature will continue to rise 2-3°C during this time.

Resting works because heat drives moisture towards the centre of the meat during cooking. As the meat cools slightly during rest, the muscle fibres relax and reabsorb that moisture evenly. Cutting too early means those juices pour onto your board instead of staying in the meat.
Source: Serious Eats — The Food Lab

Should I cook ribeye steak on high or low heat?

Cook ribeye steak over high direct heat (230-260°C (450-500°F)) for the best sear and flavour.

High heat creates the Maillard reaction — the complex browning that produces hundreds of flavour compounds on the surface. This requires temperatures above 140°C (285°F) and dry surfaces.
Source: Meat & Livestock Australia

Related BBQ Guides

Sources & References

1
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Official Australian food safety guidelines and safe cooking temperatures.
Government
2
America's Test Kitchen (YouTube)
Rigorously tested steak cooking methods with scientific precision.
Video
3
Guga Foods (YouTube)
Premium beef experiments — dry ageing, wagyu, and creative steak techniques.
Video
4
Serious Eats
Kenji Lopez-Alt's food science approach to grilling the perfect steak.
Reference