Pan-Seared Beef Strip Steaks with Garlic Butter
Juicy beef strip steaks pan-seared to a perfect medium rare, finished with a rich garlic herb butter for a classic hearty meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 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 steaks, about 8 oz each beef strip steaks
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 smashed garlic cloves
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 beef strip steaks (~8 oz each) and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Step 3: Add steaks and sear without moving for 4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Flip steaks and cook another 3 minutes for medium rare (internal temp 130°F).
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 fresh thyme sprigs to the pan. Tilt pan and spoon melted butter over steaks continuously for 1-2 minutes to baste and flavor.
- Step 5: Remove steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Beef Strip Steaks 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 Pan-Seared Beef Strip Steaks 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Beef Strip Steaks 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 Pan-Seared Beef Strip Steaks 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 Pan-Seared Beef Strip Steaks 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.
