Best Quick Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter
Restaurant-quality steak cooked in under 20 minutes, finished with a rich garlic butter sauce that elevates simple ingredients to the highest level of satisfaction. This american-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs (8 oz each) Ribeye steaks, Salt, Black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz each) Ribeye steaks
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped Fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp Lemon zest
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 (8 oz) ribeye steaks dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over high heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes. Add steaks and sear for 3 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until deep brown crust forms and internal temperature reaches 120°F (49°C).
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to skillet, swirling to melt butter. Tilt pan and spoon pan juices over steaks for 1 minute to baste.
- Step 4: Remove steaks from pan and rest on cutting board for 5 minutes. Stir 1 tbsp fresh parsley and 1/2 tsp lemon zest into pan juices, then spoon sauce over rested steaks.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Quick Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Quick Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (8 oz each) ribeye steaks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Quick Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Quick Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Quick Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.