How do you pan sear a steak with garlic butter?

Start by drying and seasoning your steak. Sear it in a hot skillet with oil until both sides are caramelized. Then, reduce the heat, add butter, garlic cloves, and herbs. Baste the steak with the melted garlic butter until it's just shy of your desired doneness, then rest before slicing you One-Skillet Garlic Butter Steak. Don’t miss our full step-by-step guide to skillet-searing .

Does cooking steak in butter make it tender?

Butter doesn’t tenderize the steak itself, but it adds rich flavor and moisture. When used to baste, it helps keep the surface of the steak moist and prevents it from drying out during high-heat cooking you one-Skillet Garlic Butter Steak.

What kind of steak to use for garlic butter steak bites?

Cuts like New York strip, sirloin, and ribeye work best. They offer a balance of tenderness and flavor, sear well, and remain juicy when cut into bite-sized pieces. Always go for well-marbled beef for the best results.

Do you cook steak first or butter first?

Always cook the steak first in oil. Add butter toward the end of the cook to avoid burning it. Butter has a low smoke point and can turn bitter if added too early.

What is it called when you cook steak in butter?

This technique is often referred to as basting or arroser (a French culinary term). It’s a classic method used in professional kitchens to infuse meat with added flavor from melted butter and aromatics.

How do you tenderize butter steak?

Use a tender cut like ribeye or filet mignon. You can also marinate tougher cuts beforehand, or cook to medium-rare and slice against the grain. Basting with garlic butter during cooking adds moisture and helps soften the meat's exterior.

One-Skillet Garlic Butter Steak – The Best 20-Minute Dinner

Description

This One-Skillet Garlic Butter Steak is juicy, buttery, and packed with flavor. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight steakhouse-style dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs New York Strip Steaks (or Ribeye or Sirloin)

1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered

1 fresh rosemary sprig

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.

2. Preheat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat.

3. Add steaks and sear for 3-4 minutes per side. Sear edges for 1 minute each.

4. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, garlic, and rosemary to the pan.

5. Baste steak with melted garlic butter for 1-2 minutes.

6. Remove steak when 5–10°F below your desired doneness. Let rest for 10 minutes.

7. Slice against the grain and serve with remaining garlic butter from the pan.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.

This recipe works well with sirloin, ribeye, or strip steak.

Resting the steak before slicing locks in juices and improves tenderness.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Pan-Searing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 steak
Calories: 542
Sugar: 0g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 46g
Cholesterol: 145mg