This Garlic Butter Skillet Flank Steak is juicy and full of flavor! Cooked quickly in a hot skillet, it’s really easy to make and will fill your kitchen with a yummy garlic aroma.
Let’s be real, everything tastes better with garlic and butter, am I right? I love serving it with some veggies or mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious butter sauce!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Flank Steak: This cut is lean and has great flavor. If flank steak isn’t available, you can use skirt steak or even sirloin. Each will offer a slightly different taste and texture, but they work well in this recipe.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best as it allows you to control the salt. However, if you’re short on butter, you could swap in ghee or even olive oil, though they will alter the richness a bit.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds amazing flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, garlic powder can be used. A general rule is 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder per clove of fresh garlic.
Thyme & Rosemary: Fresh herbs really elevate this dish, but dried herbs can work too. Just remember, dried herbs are more concentrated – use only one-third the amount of dried to fresh.
Olive Oil: This oil is perfect for searing. If you have a different cooking oil on hand, like avocado or canola oil, those will also do the trick.
How Do I Get the Perfect Sear on My Steak?
Searing is a crucial step to lock in flavors and create a nice crust. Here’s how to achieve that perfect sear:
- Make sure your skillet is hot! Preheat it on medium-high heat before adding oil.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; if your skillet is too small, sear in batches. This keeps the temperature stable.
- Let it sear without moving it for 3-4 minutes on each side. This helps develop that beautiful brown crust.
- After searing, make sure to pour the garlic butter over to infuse great flavor before placing the skillet in the oven.
Garlic Butter Skillet Flank Steak Oven Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Steak:
- 1 ½ lbs flank steak
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Garlic Butter:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried rosemary)
For Cooking:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Garlic Butter Skillet Flank Steak takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 25-30 minutes of cooking time, including searing and baking. Just a bit of waiting for the steak to rest, and you’ll be ready to dig in!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it’s heating up, grab your flank steak and pat it dry with paper towels. This helps get that nice sear. Season both sides well with salt and black pepper.
2. Sear the Steak:
In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (but not smoking!), carefully add the flank steak. Sear it for about 3-4 minutes on each side until a beautiful brown crust forms. This gives great flavor!
3. Make the Garlic Butter:
While the steak is searing, take a small saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Stir for about 1-2 minutes until everything is wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—it’s magic, but it can turn bitter!
4. Combine and Roast:
Once the steak is perfectly seared, pour that lovely garlic butter mixture over it in the skillet. Then, transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for about 10-15 minutes, or until the steak reaches your preferred level of doneness—it should be medium-rare for the best flavor!
5. Rest and Serve:
After cooking, carefully remove the skillet from the oven (it’ll be hot!). Let the flank steak rest for about 5-10 minutes. This is important—resting helps the juices redistribute. Now, slice the steak against the grain into thin strips. Drizzle with any remaining pan juices and sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh touch. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Can I Use a Different Cut of Meat?
Absolutely! While flank steak is great for this recipe, you can substitute it with skirt steak or sirloin steak. Just be aware that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness and fat content of the meat, so adjust accordingly.
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Herbs?
No problem at all! You can use dried herbs instead. Generally, 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs can be replaced with 1 teaspoon of dried herbs. So, for thyme and rosemary, just use 1 teaspoon of each if that’s what you have on hand!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep the steak juicy, try to wrap it tightly if you can. When reheating, warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, preferably covered to retain moisture.
Can I Make This Recipe Without a Skillet?
Yes! If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can sear the steak in a regular skillet and then transfer it to a baking dish for the oven. Just make sure to pour the garlic butter mixture over the steak in the baking dish before roasting!
