Choose This Cut Of Meat If You Want To Grill Just Like John Wayne

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John Wayne was the quintessential cowboy when it came to old-school Western flicks. And when it comes to cowboy food, it's hard not to immediately think of meat and potatoes. When Wayne's family released a cookbook in 2015 called "The Official John Wayne Way to Grill," they confirmed that steak was one of his favorite dishes. 

One of the recipes from the book uses a cut of beef that's favored by steak aficionados; a specific version of bone-in ribeye called "cowboy steak." The family recipe consists of olive oil-brushed steak, covered in a dry spice rub that features black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme — which is all then tossed right on the grill. People love ribeye because it's rich and marbled (In fact, it's LongHorn Steakhouse's bestseller), so it's no surprise The Duke himself indulged in one every now and then. The Wayne family prefers the bone-in version because they swear it adds extra flavor. It helps that the bone adds a visceral element to enjoying the steak, too.

A cowboy ribeye possesses some very specific characteristics that make it unique. First of all, the bone is included, but it's not just part of the bone — the cut is the width of an entire rib bone, meaning a cowboy steak is quite thick. (The length of the bone itself is trimmed, so it's not as dramatic as, say, a restaurant tomahawk steak.) The robust thickness also means that a cowboy steak is a hearty eater's cut. 

Because part of the bone is exposed, or "frenched" with the meat trimmed off, it can burn during cooking. That's why The Duke's recipe for a cowboy steak suggests wrapping that portion with aluminum foil during grilling, just so it doesn't scorch during the cook. And if you want something to wash the steak down, John Wayne's family's official line of spirits, Duke's bourbon, lets you taste one of the actor's favorite drinks. Not only can you eat like a cowboy, you can also live the life of a Hollywood legend all during the course of a meal.