Pan-Seared Ribeye with Classic Garlic Butter

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

A richly flavored pan-seared ribeye steak topped with a traditional garlic butter that enhances the beef’s natural juiciness. This american-inspired beef ready in about 15 minutes pairs ribeye steak, 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
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Remove 12 oz ribeye steak from refrigerator and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with 1 tsp 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: Add the ribeye steak to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes without moving, until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes for medium-rare.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 crushed garlic cloves, and 2 sprigs fresh thyme to the skillet. Spoon the melted butter over the steak continuously for 1-2 minutes until aromatic and the butter slightly thickens.
  5. Step 5: Remove steak from pan and rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes to redistribute juices before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Ribeye with Classic 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 Ribeye with Classic 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 ribeye steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Ribeye with Classic 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 Ribeye with Classic 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 Ribeye with Classic 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.

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