If you’re dreaming of a juicy, flavorful steak that’s easy enough to make on a weeknight yet impressive enough for guests, you’ve got to try this Oven-Baked Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe. It takes the classic pan-seared steak up a notch by finishing it in the oven, locking in that perfect medium-rare tenderness and bathing it in rich garlic butter that melts into every bite. Trust me, once you master this method, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the grill or complicated marinades. It’s straightforward, satisfying, and downright delicious—your new go-to steak dinner packed with bold flavor and buttery goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Oven-Baked Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe, you only need a handful of simple ingredients that work together like a dream. Each one plays a vital role in building rich flavor, attractive color, and a tender texture that melts in your mouth.
- Beef steaks (1 to 1.5 inches thick): Choose cuts like ribeye, strip, or sirloin for the perfect balance of marbling and tenderness.
- Salt and pepper: The classic seasoning duo enhances the natural meat flavor and helps form that irresistible crust.
- Neutral vegetable oil (1/2 tablespoon): High smoke point oil ensures a crisp sear without burning.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Melts into the steak during oven baking, adding richness and moisture.
- Garlic butter (optional): Infused with fresh garlic to spoon over your steak before serving, bringing a fragrant burst of flavor.
How to Make Oven-Baked Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe
Step 1: Bring the Steaks to Room Temperature
About 30 minutes before cooking, take your steaks out of the fridge and let them sit on the counter, unwrapped and seasoned generously with salt and pepper. This step is critical—it ensures even cooking and lets the steak relax, so it cooks perfectly through without a cold center.
Step 2: Preheat Your Oven and Skillet
Set your oven to 400°F and place a cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-high to high heat. Let it get really hot—about 3 to 5 minutes—until you can feel the heat radiating from the pan. A screaming hot skillet is the secret to that gorgeous caramelized crust.
Step 3: Sear the First Side
Add the vegetable oil to your skillet cautiously to avoid splatters, then place the steaks in the pan. Sear the first side for 60 to 90 seconds, gently pressing the steaks with your fingertips to ensure full contact with the pan without squashing the meat. This delicate touch helps develop an even and flavorful browning.
Step 4: Sear the Second Side
Flip the steaks and sear the opposite side for 30 to 45 seconds. At this point, your steaks should have that rich golden crust that screams flavor. Once done, take the skillet off the heat—you’re almost there.
Step 5: Finish Cooking in the Oven
Top the steaks with the unsalted butter and transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Let the steaks bake anywhere from 4 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness and your preferred doneness level. For medium-rare, about 5 minutes is perfect for a 1.5-inch steak. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy—pull the steaks out when they’re about 5°F below your target temperature to rest to perfection.
Step 6: Optional Broil and Rest
If you want an extra nice finish, broil the steaks for 15 to 20 seconds to deepen the crust. Then, remove the steaks and tent them loosely with foil. Resting for 5 to 10 minutes lets the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy and tender.
How to Serve Oven-Baked Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes can elevate your steak experience. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the steak alongside a dollop of warm garlic butter to add a bright, herbal note and luxurious mouthfeel.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs exceptionally well with classic sides like crispy roasted potatoes, creamy mashed cauliflower, or a fresh green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette. The rich garlic butter on the steak complements these lighter, fresh sides beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive dinner, serve your steaks sliced thinly against the grain on a wooden board with colorful roasted vegetables and extra garlic butter on the side for dipping. A drizzle of balsamic reduction or a sprinkle of smoked sea salt can add a unique finishing touch that guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover steak in an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Properly stored, it will stay delicious for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to keep it juicy.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked steak wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Label your package with the date for easy meal planning later.
Reheating
The best way to reheat steak without drying it out is to warm it slowly in a low oven (about 250°F) until heated through, then finish by quickly searing both sides in a hot skillet. Adding a little fresh garlic butter during reheating will help preserve that wonderful flavor.
FAQs
What cut of steak works best for the Oven-Baked Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe?
Ribeye, New York strip, and sirloin steaks between 1 to 1.5 inches thick are ideal. These cuts offer a great balance of tenderness and flavor that really shine with this cooking method.
Can I use this recipe without a cast iron skillet?
While a cast iron skillet gives you the best sear and even heat, you can also use any heavy-bottomed oven-safe pan. Just make sure it can withstand high heat to develop the perfect crust.
How do I know when my steak is done?
Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way: 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, and so on. Remember to pull the steak out 5°F before your target temperature since it will continue to cook while resting.
Is the garlic butter necessary?
The garlic butter is optional but highly recommended! It adds a superb depth of flavor and richness, making each bite of steak even more irresistible.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! This recipe contains no gluten ingredients by default, so it’s naturally gluten-free as long as your seasoning and butter don’t have additives with gluten.
Final Thoughts
Cooking a steak this way is a kitchen game-changer—you get restaurant-quality tenderness and incredible flavor with minimal fuss. The Oven-Baked Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe is perfect for cozy weeknights or special occasions alike, delivering a juicy, buttery bite every time. Once you try it, I’m confident this will become one of your favorite ways to enjoy steak. Go ahead, treat yourself—you deserve it.
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Oven-Baked Steak with Garlic Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4.4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This oven baked steak recipe delivers perfectly seared, juicy steaks finished in the oven for consistent doneness. Using a cast iron skillet to sear the steak locks in flavor and creates a beautiful caramelized crust. The method is straightforward, requiring a short sear on the stovetop followed by a brief oven bake, making it an ideal technique for achieving tender, flavorful steaks with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Steak Ingredients
- 2 beef steaks, 1 to 1.5 inches thick (ribeye, sirloin, or strip steaks recommended)
- Salt and pepper, to taste (or steak seasoning)
- ½ tablespoon neutral vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (more to taste)
- Garlic butter, optional for serving
Instructions
- Remove Steaks from Fridge: Take the steaks out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature. Remove any packaging, season generously with salt and pepper or your choice of steak seasoning, then place on a plate and leave uncovered on the counter. This step ensures even cooking and better texture.
- Preheat Oven and Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Place a large cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-high to high heat and allow it to heat for 3-5 minutes until it is very hot and sizzling.
- Sear the First Side: Carefully add the oil to the hot skillet, taking care to avoid splatters. Place the steaks in the skillet and sear them for 60 to 90 seconds without moving. Gently press the steaks down a few times with your fingertips to ensure full contact with the pan but do not press too hard to avoid squeezing out the juices. You want a nice brown crust with caramelization.
- Sear the Second Side: Flip the steaks and sear for an additional 30 to 45 seconds on the second side. Remove the skillet from the stovetop to prepare for oven finishing.
- Finish in the Oven: Top each steak with butter and transfer the skillet into the preheated oven. Bake the steaks until they reach your desired internal temperature, which typically takes between 4 to 12 minutes depending on thickness and preferred doneness. For a 1.5-inch thick steak, 5 minutes yields medium-rare. Use a meat thermometer to check (pull from the oven when 5°F below target temperature as it will continue cooking while resting).
- Optional Broil: For a perfect finish, you may broil the steaks for 15 to 20 seconds to enhance the crust. Remove steaks from the oven, transfer to a plate, and tent loosely with aluminum foil.
- Rest the Steaks: Let the steaks rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute for moist, flavorful meat. Serve with optional garlic butter or your preferred accompaniments.
Notes
- Choose beef steaks 1 to 1.5 inches thick for optimal cooking time and tenderness.
- Letting the steak come to room temperature prevents uneven cooking.
- Use a cast iron skillet for best searing results and heat retention.
- Caramelization on the steak enhances flavor – avoid moving the steak around excessively during searing.
- Always use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness.
- Resting steak is critical to keep it juicy and tender.
- Optional garlic butter adds richness and flavor at serving.
