Restaurant Style Steak (Easy Steak Recipe!) - Joyous Apron (2024)

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What I am currently dreaming about: a juicy, perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked restaurant style steak infused with buttery herb flavors, all in the comforts of my own home.

The good news is, as fancy as that sounded, it is actually super simple to make a steak that looks and tastes like it was made in a steakhouse.

And not just a normal steakhouse. Like a really good steakhouse. 😉

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This is my tried and true homemade steak recipe. When I want a good slice of steak, this is how I make it. And it is pretty darn simple.

The key is to use the right tools, and understand the details that go into the art of cooking a steak.

Don’t forget to also check these other delicious beef/steak recipes: Cheese Stuffed Burger, Steak Fried Rice, Stovetop Beef Stew, and Beef Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef).

Let’s make Restaurant Style Steak!

I call this my “special occasion” steak – Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas Eve dinner (especially when there’s a small crowd), etc.

And also for those few random days in the year when my body just need a good piece of steak.

Often it’s after a long week. Or when I don’t want to spend a lot of money eating out but want a fancier meal. Or after I am on a veggie-heavy diet and my body decides it needs some serious red meat fix.

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I don’t eat a huge piece of steak often. But when I do, I want to go all the way.

Bring on that butter.

Use those fresh herbs.

And most importantly, get a nice, solid cut of meat.

What do you need?

When it comes to appliances, all you need is a cast iron. If you don’t have a cast iron, use a non-stick skillet that can withstand high heat and cooks evenly.

I love cooking with this cast iron because it retains heat extremely well and distributes the heat evenly. It is also super affordable and will last for a long time. What can I say, it’s one of my favorite appliances in my kitchen!

As for the ingredients, we are looking only at a few simple ingredients:

  • Fresh garlic. None of that garlic powder business please.
  • Fresh herbs. Avoid using dried herbs – it makes a difference here!
  • Butter. You better believe we are talking about real butter!
  • Salt and black pepper.
  • Steak, of course. 🙂

Here’s the truth, when it comes to a solid piece of Steak house Steak, when cooked right, doesn’t need much seasonings on it. Because you want to be able to truly tastes the meat, and the seasonings are just there to enhance it.

The real star is the meat.

How to cook steaks in a cast iron?

There is a little bit of art when it comes to cooking this Restaurant Style Steak on the cast iron. Every step is important and I highly recommend following them closely!

  • Bring steak to room temperature. Avoid cooking steak cold because that will quickly drop the temperature of the cast iron.
  • Pat dry steak (super important!) so that it will sear well.
  • Sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides of the steak. Only add salt and pepper when ready to cook to avoid drying out steaks. Salt will suck the moisture out of steaks.
  • Sear steak on one side for a few minutes. Do not move it until ready to flip. Then sear on the other side. Also do not move it around after flipping.
Restaurant Style Steak (Easy Steak Recipe!) - Joyous Apron (4)
  • Add butter, crushed garlic and fresh thyme to the skillet. Then take a deep breath and smell the glorious smell of butter, seared steak, and herbs…it is quite amazing.
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  • Use a spoon to drizzle butter over the top of the steak as it cooks. This will help cook the steak and give the top of the steak more buttery flavor. Okay yum…
  • I like to lower to medium/medium low heat after flipping the steaks. This will ensure the inside of the steak gets cook before the outside burns and becomes too crusty/burned. You should adjust the heat as you see fit.
  • The thicker the steak, the lower the heat you will need because thicker steaks will take longer cook.
  • Remove promptly when ready! Use a meat thermometer to determine when it is ready depending on how you like your steaks cooked.
  • Let steaks sit on a plate wrapped with aluminum foil for 3-4 minutes.
  • Serve that Steak house Steak like a boss! Add with more butter to the steak because why not! 🙂
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Steak temperature

To make steaks just like a restaurant or steakhouse does it, getting it to the right temperature is important!

Here is the guideline for temperature and doneness for a steak! Remember to use a meat thermometer to check the thickest spot of the steak and also a few other random spots.

  • Medium rare – ~140 degrees F
  • Medium – ~150 degrees F
  • Medium well – ~160 degrees F
  • Well done – ~165 degrees F
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What cut of meat to use?

I highly recommend a more tender cut of meat, and to avoid tough cuts. Rib eye, sirloin, filet mignon are all good options. NY strip would work too but it could be slightly tougher than the ones I just mentioned, but a thinner slice will be more tender.

We are searing the meat and cooking it fairly quickly, not taking the time to break down the fiber like you would if you are cooking Beef Stew. So a nicer, more tender cut is ideal.

When selecting the meat, I typically look for some marbling, which is fat that runs through the meat, but also avoiding high fat to meat ratio.

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Seriously, this Restaurant Steak is one of the easiest and most delicious recipes.

When I want a steak at home, this is how I make it happen.

It tastes just as good as Steakhouse Steaks that you get at fancy restaurants.

Easy. Delicious. Quick. Budget-friendly.

And before you know it, you’ll be making your own steaks at home and skipping those fancy and expensive steaks in restaurants!

Give it a try and let me know what you think! 🙂

What to serve with steaks?

Here are some of my favorite sides to serve with steaks!

  • Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes
  • Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
  • Brown Sugar Pecan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Honey Butter Rolls
  • Roasted Lemon Garlic Broccoli
  • Easy Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
  • Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes

DID YOU ENJOY THIS RECIPE? Please comment below and give us a 5-star rating! This will help others find this recipe on Google and Pinterest. We very much appreciate your help! 🤍

Restaurant Style Steak (Easy Steak Recipe!) - Joyous Apron (9)

Restaurant Style Steak

Easy, delicious, flavorful, perfectly seared steaks cooked on a cast iron. Skip the fancy steakhouse and make these Restaurant Style Steaks at home today!

4.95 from 18 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 people

Calories: 580kcal

Author: MinShien

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs ribeye, sirloin , filet mignon or NY strip steak
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • 2-3 tbsp salted butter more if needed
  • 3-4 cloves garlic
  • A few springs fresh thyme

Instructions

  • Bring steak to room temperature. Avoid cooking steak cold.

  • Preapre other ingredients – cut butter into smaller pieces, and crush garlic cloves.

  • Pat dry steak and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides (only add salt and pepper to steak when ready to cook).

  • Add vegetable oil to cast iron. Heat on medium to medium high heat. Once cast iron is hot, sear steak on one side for a few minutes until it is slightly golden brown. Do not move the steak until it is ready to flip. Flip, then sear on the other side.

  • Add 2 tbsp of butter to cast iron (spread them out around the steak), then add crushed garlic and fresh thyme.

  • Lower to medium/medium low heat after flipping the steaks. This will ensure the inside of the steak gets cook before the outside burns and becomes too crusty/hard. Adjust the heat as you see fit. The thicker the steak, the lower the heat you will need because thicker steaks will take longer cook.

  • Use a spoon and scoop melted butter and drizzle onto the top of the steak a few times. Add more butter if the bottom of the cast iron has dried out.

  • Use a meat termometer to check the temperature of the thickest part of the steak and other random spots on the steak. Once it is ready, remove from heat.

  • Place steak on a plate and wrap with aluminium foil. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes.

  • Optional: Add more butter to steak if desire! 🙂

  • Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 168mg | Sodium: 800mg | Potassium: 636mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 4mg

Did you make this recipe?Take a pic and tag me at @joyous.apron, or hashtag #joyousapron on Instagram!

Restaurant Style Steak (Easy Steak Recipe!) - Joyous Apron (2024)

FAQs

How to make a steak taste like a restaurant? ›

  1. -Take steak out of refrigerator and let it get close to room-temp.
  2. -Rub with oil.
  3. -Season generously with salt and pepper.
  4. -Don't overcook your steak.
  5. -Don't overcook your steak.
  6. -Don't overcook your steak.
  7. -Finish by putting butter in pan and spooning it over the steak.
  8. -Let it rest after taking out of the pan.
Jun 6, 2015

How to make steak just like a steakhouse? ›

Steakhouse-style steaks are made in a two-step process. First, the steaks are seared over high heat, then they are roasted in the oven until the desired doneness. This way they have a caramelized crust, and a tender and juicy interior.

What is the secret to a steakhouse steak? ›

They use a lot of butter

That's the result of adding a big dollop of butter to the pan right before the steak is served. Steakhouses use all sorts of techniques to make sure their steaks are juicy and flavorful, but many steakhouses aren't afraid to use a whole lot of butter.

What is the secret to the perfect steak? ›

Rest the meat

If you cut into those tight muscle fibers as soon as it's off the heat, all the juices pour out. That's why resting meat for 5-10 minutes is the secret for preparing a juicy and tender steak. This resting time allows the muscles to relax and release their juices evenly into the meat.

How do restaurants make their steaks so tender? ›

Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Aging is done by letting the meat sit (in very controlled conditions) for several days or weeks.

How do you make cheap steak taste like an expensive steak? ›

Give it Some Texture

It's easy and it uses just one natural ingredient to make it happen: Salt. Salt is a natural tenderizer for meat. It helps break down meat fibers that make it tough and chewy. Think of it like the brining process that lobsters go through naturally because they come from saltwater habitats.

How do restaurants cook steak so well? ›

A restaurant's wood-fired grills can reach upwards of 700° F, and fancy steakhouses use infrared grills that can get over 1,000° F. The best way to replicate those conditions is to use a charcoal grill, but a smoking-hot cast-iron skillet works in a pinch, too.

What can I soak my steaks in to make them tender? ›

Regular or apple cider vinegar, wine or beer, lemon or lime juice, buttermilk or yogurt contain tenderizing acids. As well as acid, enzymes found in fruits like pineapple, kiwi, mangoes, and papaya disrupt the molecular structure of meat's connective tissue.

What is the most flavorful way to cook a steak? ›

Grilling works well for most steak cuts, adding lots of flavor and allowing an even cook when you know how to grill steak properly.

What is Gordon Ramsay's recipe for steak marinade? ›

How to make Gordon Ramsay's Steak Marinade at home
  1. Meat. • 12 oz Steak.
  2. Produce. • 2 cloves Garlic. • 2 sprigs Rosemary.
  3. Condiments. • 1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar. • 2 tbsp Soy sauce.
  4. Baking & Spices. • 1/2 tsp Black pepper, Ground. • 2/3 cup Brown sugar, Dark. • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt. ...
  5. Oils & Vinegars. • 3 tbsp Olive oil.

How to cook steak like an expert? ›

Season: Sprinkle each side of the steak generously with salt and pepper, then immediately place in the skillet. Sear Side 1: Cook for 2 – 2.5 minutes until you get a great crust, then turn. Garlic Butter: Leave for 1 minute, then push steaks to one side and toss in butter, garlic and thyme.

Why do restaurant steaks taste different? ›

Restaurants use dry-aged meat

The marbling makes Prime steaks flavorful and more tender than the leaner Choice and Select cuts that you find at the grocery store. On top of sourcing Prime meats, restaurants also often feature dry-aged steaks.

How do you cook a steak in a pan like a restaurant? ›

Heat skillet: Heat oil in a heavy based skillet over high heat until it is very hot – you should see smoke! Season: Sprinkle each side of the steak generously with salt and pepper, then immediately place in the skillet. Sear Side 1: Cook for 2 – 2.5 minutes until you get a great crust, then turn.

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