Ni-based single crystal (SX) superalloys have been used as blades in aero-space industry and land-based applications due to their excellent high-temperature properties. However, residual strain is introduced into as-cast SX superalloy blades during the manufacturing process, such as casting, grinding or shot peening, and so on. Recrystallization (RX) occurs easily during subsequent high temperature heat treatment. In previous work, it is believed that RX has detrimental effect on the mechanical properties of SX superalloy. Furthermore, in order to improve the mechanical properties, more and more refractory elements, such as W, Re, Mo, Ta, are added into SX superalloys. However, so far, few reports about the effect of refractory elements on the RX in as-cast SX superalloys have been available. In the present work, the effect of Re and W on the RX behavior of as-cast Ni-based SX superalloy was studied. Single crystal superalloys with different Re and W contents were annealed at 1230~1330 ℃ after indened using Brinell hardnesstester. It is found that RX grains form at the surface under indentation and grow preferentially along the dendritic cores. Subsequent growth of RX is impeded by the residual coarse γ' and γ +γ' eutectics in the interdendritic regions. Both the volume fraction of γ +γ' eutectics and γ' solvus temperature are increased with the addition of Re and W, which are attributed to the increase of RX threshold temperature. For all SX superalloys studied in this work, RX area increases with the increase of annealing temperature due to the dissolution of γ' and γ+γ' eutectics. At the same annealing temperature, in comparison to Re, W shows more effect to inhibit RX growth. Additionally, SX superalloy containing both Re and W has the smallest RX area in the present experiments.