The Old-School Cowboy Steaks John Wayne Grilled All The Time

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Famous Hollywood actor John Wayne was renowned for his Western persona. Even today, decades after his passing, the name is synonymous with cowboys and the Wild West thanks to his iconic roles in movies such as "Red River" and "The Alamo". So, it should come as no surprise that he would take his steaks like a true cowboy.

John Wayne was an avid grill master who loved a juicy cut of steak, particularly cowboy-style steak. Cowboy style refers to a bone-in rib-eye steak that's had the bone severely shortened, or "Frenched." It's essentially a tomahawk with a much shorter bone. According to the cookbook "The Official John Wayne Way to Grill," his secret to cooking the juiciest steak involved brushing the meat with olive oil and applying a simple seasoning blend of pepper (black, red, and lemon varieties), salt, garlic, thyme, and parsley.

We have plenty of grilling hacks to help you make your next barbecue a success, but just like the Duke himself, his steaks are no-nonsense and don't need fancy grilling techniques or exotic ingredients. The strength lies in their simplicity, letting the natural flavors of the meat shine through with only a few basic additions to complement it. That's not to say you can't customize it to your taste, but to really feel like a cowboy, we recommend trying it Wayne-style at least once.

To John Wayne, grilling wasn't just preparing food. It was an event that brought people together. Ethan Wayne has fond memories of how his father would fire up the grill and celebrate alongside fellow movie cast members after a hard day of filming. His daughter, Marisa, recalls the giant indoor grill in their home that apparently never saw a day without use.

Wayne's children share his passion for grilling and have strived to express it in the cookbook. Ethan and Marisa Wayne clearly both have happy memories of their father grilling and preparing food and share his sentiment that it's a special event that brings family members closer together. Even if you're not a Wayne-level grillmaster, you can still have a good time with your loved ones while cooking up some delicious steaks for all to enjoy.

And steak was far from the only thing on John Wayne's grill. Grilled salmon, crab, and swordfish were all favorites of the Wayne clan, among others. Almost any kind of protein or vegetable can come off the grill tasting fantastic, so don't be afraid to put some potatoes or tuna next to your cowboy-style steak. Rest assured that the Duke would approve.