This might be the richest, most satisfying Garlic Butter Steak Recipe you'll ever try, packed with bold, buttery garlic flavor that just melts into every bite. Trust me, once you make it, it quickly becomes a go-to for dinner!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Garlic Butter Steak Recipe is one of my absolute favorites because it takes a simple sirloin and transforms it into a steakhouse-worthy masterpiece with just a handful of ingredients and a little love. It’s easy to make but feels so indulgent.
- Unmatched Flavor: The combination of rich garlic butter and fresh herbs makes the steak unbelievably tender and flavorful.
- Quick & Simple: This recipe cooks in under 10 minutes, perfect for a delicious weeknight meal without any fuss.
- Versatile: Great for date nights, family dinners, or even impressing guests with minimal effort.
- Customizable: Easy to tweak with your favorite herbs or seasoning to make it truly your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Garlic Butter Steak Recipe plays an important role. The key is fresh, quality ingredients — and the combination of garlic butter with lemon zest and parsley lifts the steak’s savory depth to something truly special.
- Unsalted Butter: Starting with softened unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness and helps everything blend smoothly.
- Garlic: Finely minced garlic gives that signature punch that pairs perfectly with the buttery richness.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note that balances the richness and gives a nice color pop.
- Lemon Zest: A little zing from lemon zest brightens the flavors and prevents the butter from feeling too heavy.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the steak well and enhancing the natural beef flavor.
- Sirloin Steaks: Opt for steaks about 1.5 inches thick for the perfect sear and juicy interior.
Make It Your Way
While I love the classic herbaceous garlic butter combo, feel free to mix it up! This recipe is forgiving and lets you play with different flavors that suit your mood or pantry.
- Try Adding Rosemary: I once added fresh rosemary to the butter and it gave the steak a lovely piney aroma that my guests raved about.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a subtle heat that wakes up the palate.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter for vegan margarine or olive oil-based spread and still get plenty of richness—just adjust garlic quantities.
- Use Different Cuts: Ribeye or New York strip work wonderfully here too, just remember to adjust cooking time based on thickness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Steak Recipe
Step 1: Make the Garlic Herb Butter
Start by mixing your softened unsalted butter with the finely minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest, and kosher salt in a bowl. I love to mash it with a fork until it’s perfectly combined and fluffy. You can even make this ahead of time and keep it chilled. This step adds that signature buttery punch that elevates the steak to something special.
Step 2: Season Your Steaks Generously
Pat your sirloin steaks dry with paper towels to get a better sear, then sprinkle them evenly on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning here—that crust is going to be amazing!
Step 3: Sear the Steaks
Heat up a heavy skillet (cast iron if you have one) over medium-high heat until it’s screaming hot. Add a little oil with a high smoke point, then sear each steak for about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Avoid moving the steak too much while it sears to develop a nice crust. If your steaks are thicker or you prefer more done, adjust timing accordingly.
Step 4: Add the Garlic Butter
Turn the heat down to low and add dollops of the garlic herb butter on top of each steak in the pan. Let it melt over the steak as you spoon the melted butter continuously over the meat — this basting technique locks in moisture and infuses even more flavor.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Once cooked to your desired doneness, transfer steaks to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Let them rest for about 5-7 minutes. This resting step is crucial because it allows the juices to redistribute, keeping every bite juicy and tender.
Top Tip
Over the years, I learned a few tricks that make this Garlic Butter Steak Recipe shine every single time. These tips helped me rescue underwhelming steaks and turn them into memorable meals I’m proud to serve.
- Room Temperature Steaks: Let your steaks sit out for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking and a better crust.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook steaks one or two at a time depending on your pan size to avoid steaming instead of searing.
- Baste with Butter: Continuously spooning melted garlic butter over the steak during the last minute adds richness and moisture that’s hard to beat.
- Let It Rest: Skipping this leads to dry steak. Resting is where all the juicy magic happens!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or some cracked black pepper on top of the steaks just before serving. It adds that fresh look and touch of flavor contrast that complements the rich butter perfectly.
Side Dishes
Garlic mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables are my go-tos here — they soak up the leftover garlic butter beautifully. A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette also brightens the plate and balances all that richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served the steaks sliced thinly on a wooden board with dollops of garlic butter on top, surrounded by colorful roasted veggies and artisan bread. It’s rustic yet elegant and really brings everyone together around the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (although it’s rare in my house!), wrap your steak tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating gently to preserve the buttery richness.
Freezing
Freezing is possible but I find the texture changes slightly. If you want to freeze, wrap steaks well and freeze separately from the garlic butter. Thaw fully in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
To keep steak moist, I reheat leftovers in a low oven (about 250°F) covered loosely with foil. You can also warm a little of the garlic butter and spoon it over while reheating for extra flavor. Avoid microwaving whenever possible to prevent toughness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Sirloin steaks about 1.5 inches thick are ideal because they balance tenderness and beefy flavor, but ribeye or New York strip also work beautifully.
The best way is to use a meat thermometer: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium. Alternatively, pressing the steak and comparing firmness to the feel of your palm is a handy trick once you get the hang of it.
Absolutely! Making the garlic butter a day ahead actually lets the flavors meld beautifully. Just store it covered in the fridge and bring back to room temperature before using.
Reheat gently in a low oven or covered skillet with a bit of extra garlic butter to keep it moist. Avoid microwaving as it can dry out the steak.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Steak Recipe means a lot to me because it’s my secret weapon for an impressive dinner that feels fancy but isn’t complicated. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or that special someone, I know you’re going to love how easy and delicious this steak comes out. Give it a try and let it become one of your favorite go-to recipes too!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Rest Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Garlic Butter Steak recipe features tender sirloin steaks enhanced with a rich, homemade garlic herb butter. Perfectly seared and topped with a flavorful blend of garlic, parsley, lemon zest, and butter, this dish is ideal for a decadent at-home dinner or special family meal. The recipe balances the robust flavor of the steak with the creamy, aromatic butter to create a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Ingredients
Garlic Herb Butter
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened, 1 stick)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Steak
- 2 sirloin steaks (about 2 lbs total, about 1.5 inches thick each)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoons garlic butter (softened)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a bowl, combine 8 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Season Steaks: Pat the sirloin steaks dry with paper towels. Evenly sprinkle 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper on both sides of each steak.
- Preheat Skillet: Heat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3-5 minutes. This ensures a good sear on the steaks.
- Sear Steaks: Place the steaks in the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare doneness, or cook longer to desired doneness. Avoid moving the steaks while searing to develop a crust.
- Rest Steaks: Remove steaks from the skillet and let them rest on a cutting board or plate for 5 minutes. This helps redistribute juices for a tender result.
- Top with Garlic Butter: Spoon 3 tablespoons of the softened garlic herb butter onto each steak while still warm, allowing it to melt over the meat and infuse flavor.
- Serve: Serve the steaks immediately with your choice of sides, enjoying the rich garlic butter complementing the seared steak.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure easy mixing with garlic and herbs.
- If you prefer less salt, adjust the kosher salt quantities according to your taste.
- Letting the steaks rest after cooking is crucial for juicy, tender meat.
- You can prepare the garlic herb butter ahead of time and refrigerate; just bring it to room temperature before using.
- If sirloin steaks are not available, ribeye or strip steaks can be good alternatives.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for best searing results and even heat distribution.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak (about 12 oz)
- Calories: 912 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1348 mg
- Fat: 90 g
- Saturated Fat: 54 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
- Trans Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 285 mg
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