Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Kansas City Strip Steak

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy Kansas City strip steak brushed with a rich bourbon glaze, grilled to perfection for a smoky, caramelized crust. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 25 minutes pairs bourbon whiskey, brown sugar, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 American cuisine 510 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 8 minutes until thickened and syrupy, then remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to high heat (about 450°F). Brush each 10 oz Kansas City strip steak with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly on both sides.
  3. Step 3: Place steaks on the grill and cook for 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, brushing each side twice with the bourbon glaze during cooking to build a sticky, flavorful crust.
  4. Step 4: Remove steaks from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices before serving with remaining glaze drizzled on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Kansas City Strip Steak take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Kansas City Strip Steak?

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 bourbon whiskey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Kansas City Strip Steak?

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 Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Kansas City Strip Steak 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 Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Kansas City Strip Steak?

American grilling 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.