Garlic Butter Sirloin Steak Recipe

This Garlic Butter Sirloin Steak is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Juicy sirloin steak sears before homemade garlic herb butter is added, bringing extra flavor to this quick steak recipe.

two steaks in a pan with text overlay for facebook


 

Is there anything better than a steak made at home that tastes like something you’d enjoy at a steakhouse? To be honest with you, this Garlic Butter Steak recipe is that and more.

Not only is it wonderfully meaty and garlicky, but it also feels special and fancy without requiring a ton of time, effort or skill. (Hello, at-home date night!)

Pan Seared Steak

You can just make one for yourself or make several for a crowd to enjoy. (Just be sure that you’re following the instructions because an overcrowded pan yields a less-than-perfect steak.)

It also pairs with so many different side dishes, making it the perfect centerpiece for any special meal you want to make and share.

Also, the garlic butter is excellent on bread! So use the extra butter on a slice of toasted bread and serve it alongside your steak to sop up more of the juices.

garlic butter sirlon steak on a plate with potatoes and peas

Garlic Butter Sirloin Steak Ingredients

With just a handful of ingredients including a compound butter, you are well on your way to making the best juicy steak you’ve ever had! All can be found at your local grocery stores.

  • Top sirloin steak — the sirloin is a primal cut of beef and is divided into two halves—the top sirloin and the bottom sirloin, which refers to the location of the meat on the animal. The top sirloin steak is flavorful and meaty. It’s excellent for both grilling and skillet cooking, which is why we’re using it here.
  • Salt and pepper — you’ll need both to season your steak and some additional salt for the garlic butter. As a rule of thumb, I like to use about a teaspoon of medium-grain kosher salt for every pound of steak. Do the black pepper by eye. 
  • Unsalted butter — this serves as the base for the homemade herb butter. I like to use unsalted butter because then I can control the saltiness. 
  • Garlic — freshly minced, please and thank you. While the pre-minced stuff is great, fresh garlic that you mince yourself will have stronger flavor, and we want that in this steak recipe. And much more flavorful than garlic powder.
  • Lemon — we’re using the zest of a single lemon, and it gives a little pop of citrus and acidity to the butter! SO good without being tart.
  • Fresh parsley — you need a lot of this and more for garnish. Be sure to chop it up finely for the butter. Fresh herbs make all the difference.
two steaks in a skillet topped with butter

How to Make This Sirloin Steak Recipe

With a handful of simple ingredients and a cast-iron pan, you are going to love how quick it is to make these easy steaks.

  1. Make the garlic butter. Combine the softened butter with the minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest and kosher salt in a medium bowl.
  2. Let steaks come to room temperature. About 30-45 minutes before cooking, remove the steaks from the fridge and let them warm up a bit.
  3. Heat the skillet. Warm a cast iron skillet over high heat a few minutes before you’re ready to cook the steak. You want it screaming hot because this will get a good sear and caramelization on the outside of the steak, which provides both flavor and texture.
  4. Season steak. As the cast iron skillet heats, season the steak with salt and pepper. If the steak is thicker, remember to get the sides, as well as the top and bottom. 
  5. Cook the steak. Sear the steak. Flip with tongs and cook for more. This will get you close to rare or medium rare, depending on the thickness of your steak. If the steak has a fat cap, be sure to sear this part, too, for a few minutes so it caramelizes.
  6. Lower heat and add butter. Lower the heat to medium and add the garlic butter on top of the steak. Baste for another few minutes, or until the steak reaches your ideal temperature.
  7. Let rest and serve with more butter. Remove the steak from the pan, and let rest for 10-15 minutes under foil. Serve with another tablespoon of the garlic butter, and enjoy with your favorite sides!
collage of how to make garlic butter sirloin steak

Storage and Freezing

Make ahead: Make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time. Not only will this make it easier on you to dollop it onto the steak, but you won’t be trying to make it while also cooking the steak at the same time.

Storage: If you have any leftover tender sirloin steak, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Reheating: To eat leftover steak, I remove it from the fridge 30-45 minutes beforehand and let it come to room temperature and serve it like that instead of reheating it because the steak can overcook. If you want to reheat the steak, add it to a hot skillet without any additional butter and cook.

Freezing: You can freeze the garlic herb butter if you wrap it tightly (and 2-3 times) for up to 3 months.

garlic butter sirloin steak sliced with potatoes and peas

Tips and Tricks

In order to make the best steak dinner, I have a few tips and tricks to share with you.

  • Use cast iron. It’s heavier than a regular skillet and conducts heat super well. You’ll get an amazing sear on your steak(s) if you use one.
  • An instant-read meat thermometer comes in clutch! If you don’t have one of these, please seek one out and use it whenever you cook meat at home.
  • Cook to temperature… but keep in mind that the steak will continue cooking after you remove it from the skillet. Pull the steak when it’s 5-10 degrees of your desired temperature.
  • Don’t be shy about the garlic butter. We add it to the top of the steak to baste, and we want it to be utterly decadent. It’s going to add a burst of garlicky goodness with each bite.
  • Use the right cut of meat. Top sirloin steak is where it’s at for this recipe. You could also use another cut of steak that’s great for searing, like a ribeye or a New York strip.

What to Serve with Sirloin

What can’t you, really? I aim for a carb and veggie, but you can do anything you’d like! Here are a few of my favorites.

collage of garlic butter sirloin steaks for pinterest

More Juicy Steak Recipes

overhead of southwestern steak bowl with avocado

Southwest Steak Bowl

A steak bowl using seasoned flank steak, spinach, baked sweet potatoes, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic and avocado, making it gluten-free and "whole".
See The Recipe!
overhead of two steaks in a pan

Pan Fried Steak

How to make a Pan Fried Steak at home is easier than you think with my step-by-step instructions and easy steak seasoning!
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of steak and potato skillet in pan with serving spoon

Steak and Potatoes Skillet

This steak and potato skillet recipe is filled with lots of flavor and veggies — it makes a great meal for a busy weeknight!
See The Recipe!
two steaks in a skillet with text overlay for pinterest
two steaks in a skillet topped with butter

Garlic Butter Sirloin Steaks

4.71 from 51 votes
This Garlic Butter Sirloin Steak recipe is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Juicy sirloin with homemade garlic herb butter for ultimate flavor!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

Garlic Butter

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter , softened
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Garlic Butter Sirloin Steaks

Instructions

Make the Garlic Butter

  • Combine the softened butter with the minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest and kosher salt in a medium bowl.
  • Use a hand mixer or a rubber spatula to stir to combine.
  • Roll into a log or transfer to a storage container to keep the butter in the refrigerator. This can be kept for 2-3 week in the fridge. You may also leave at room temperature if you’re cooking the steak shortly after mixing it.

Cook the Sirloin Steaks

  • About 30-45 minutes before cooking, remove the steaks from the fridge and let them come to temperature.
  • Warm a cast iron skillet over high heat. (You want it screaming hot because this will get a good sear and caramelization on the outside of the steak, which provides both flavor and texture.)
  • As the cast iron skillet heats, season the steak with salt and pepper on all sides.
  • Place the steak in the middle of the skillet dry. Do not add the butter yet, and do not overcrowd the pan.
  • Sear the steak for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2. This will get you close to rare or medium rare, depending on the thickness of your steak. If the steak has a fat cap, be sure to sear this part, too, for a few minutes so it caramelizes.
  • Lower the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of the garlic butter per steak. Baste for another 2-3 minutes, or until the steak reaches your ideal temperature.
  • Remove the steak from the pan, and let rest for 10-15 minutes under foil.
  • Serve with another tablespoon of the garlic butter, and enjoy with your favorite sides!

Notes

The cook times will vary based on the thickness of the steak, as well the temperature you like to eat your steak.
Steak temperatures:
Rare (cool red center): 125°F
Medium rare (warm red center): 135°F
Medium (warm pink center): 145°F
Medium well (light pink center): 150°F
Well done (cooked entirely through): 160°F

Nutrition

Calories: 717 kcal, Carbohydrates: 2 g, Protein: 50 g, Fat: 56 g, Saturated Fat: 33 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16 g, Trans Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 258 mg, Sodium: 3626 mg, Potassium: 840 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 0.2 g, Vitamin A: 1743 IU, Vitamin C: 8 mg, Calcium: 97 mg, Iron: 4 mg
Author: Erin Parker
Calories: 717
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: garlic butter sirloin steak
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.71 from 51 votes (46 ratings without comment)

Join The Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    These were absolutely INSANE. So much flavor and so tender. Steakhouse dinner right at home. What’s not to love?

  2. 5 stars
    It was so good and juicy and so flavorful. My friends loved every bit of and asked me for its recipe. I shared your blog with them.

  3. 5 stars
    Juiciest, most delicious steak every! Love the addition of lemon zest – it really makes a huge difference!