Pan-Seared Kansas City Strip with Garlic Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A juicy Kansas City strip steak pan-seared to perfection and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs Kansas City strip steak, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 calories and feeds 1, 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: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 1 American cuisine 700 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 12 oz Kansas City strip steak and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Place the steak in the skillet and sear without moving for 4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms.
  4. Step 4: Flip the steak and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 fresh thyme sprigs to the pan.
  5. Step 5: Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter over the steak continuously for 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
  6. Step 6: Remove steak from pan and rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving with the garlic butter sauce drizzled on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Kansas City Strip with Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 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 Kansas City Strip 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 kansas city strip steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Kansas City Strip 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 Kansas City Strip with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Kansas City Strip 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.

Related recipes