Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce

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

A tender pan-seared steak topped with a rich garlic butter and fresh herb sauce for a deeply flavorful experience. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs ribeye 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: 10 min Cook: 12 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: Remove 12 oz ribeye steak from the refrigerator and pat dry. Season both sides evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add the steak to the skillet and sear without moving for 4 minutes until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom.
  4. Step 4: Flip the steak and cook for an additional 3 minutes for medium-rare, adjusting time if desired doneness is different.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, and 1 tbsp chopped thyme to the pan.
  6. Step 6: Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter and herbs over the steak continuously for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the butter sauce coats the steak.
  7. Step 7: Remove steak from pan and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Steak with Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce?

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 Steak with Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce?

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 Steak with Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce 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 Steak with Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce?

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