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A perfectly pan seared steak glistening with melted garlic butter.

Perfect Pan Seared Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

Achieve a perfect crust and juicy interior with this pan-seared steak recipe, finished with a luscious garlic herb butter.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2 steaks
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2-3 boneless steaks (e.g., ribeye, New York strip, sirloin), 1 to 1.5 inches thick
  • Coarse sea salt or kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or other high smoke point oil)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3-4 cloves garlic smashed or thinly sliced
  • sprigs fresh rosemary and/or thyme A few
For serving

Equipment

  • Heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron or stainless steel)
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Cutting board

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Take steaks out of the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before cooking and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season generously all over with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Cooking
  1. Place a heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat until smoking slightly, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it shimmer.
  2. Carefully place seasoned steaks into the hot pan and sear for 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness, until a deep brown crust forms.
  3. Reduce heat to medium, add butter, smashed garlic, and fresh herbs to the pan.
  4. Tilt the pan slightly and continuously baste the melted butter, garlic, and herbs over the steaks for about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness: 125-130°F for rare, 130-135°F for medium-rare, 135-140°F for medium.
Resting and Serving
  1. Transfer steaks to a cutting board and let them rest for at least 5-10 minutes, pouring any remaining pan juices and garlic butter over them.
  2. Slice the steak against the grain and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use steaks of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. Adjust cooking times based on your desired level of doneness. Resting the steak is crucial for juicy results, allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.