New York Strip Steak with Garlic Herb Butter
Meta Description: This New York Strip Steak recipe delivers a juicy, perfectly seared steak with a flavorful garlic herb butter. Learn how to make restaurant-quality steak at home with a simple skillet method.
New York Strip Steak with Garlic Herb Butter
A perfectly cooked New York Strip Steak doesn’t require a fancy restaurant or complicated ingredients. With a hot skillet, a well-seasoned steak, and a generous spoonful of garlic herb butter, you can create an incredibly juicy and flavorful steak right at home.
The outside develops a beautifully browned crust while the inside stays tender and juicy. As the steak finishes cooking, butter infused with garlic, rosemary, and thyme is spooned over the top, creating an irresistible finish.
Serve it with roasted potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, asparagus, or a crisp salad for a restaurant-style dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Steak
- Juicy and tender
- Beautifully browned crust
- Rich garlic herb butter
- Simple ingredients
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Perfect for date night or special occasions
- Easy skillet cooking method
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 2 New York Strip steaks, approximately 10–12 oz each
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
For the Garlic Herb Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch of salt
How to Make New York Strip Steak
1. Bring the Steaks to Room Temperature
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator approximately 20–30 minutes before cooking.
Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels.
Dry steaks develop a much better crust when seared.
2. Season Generously
Season both sides of the steaks with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Add a light sprinkle of garlic powder if desired.
Press the seasoning gently into the surface.
3. Heat the Skillet
Place a heavy cast-iron skillet over high heat.
Allow it to become very hot.
Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
The oil should shimmer but shouldn’t be smoking excessively.
4. Sear the First Side
Carefully place the steaks in the hot skillet.
Don’t move them around.
Sear for approximately 2–4 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness.
You want a deep golden-brown crust.
5. Flip the Steaks
Turn the steaks over.
Cook for another 2–4 minutes.
Avoid repeatedly flipping the steaks because this can make it harder to develop a strong crust.
6. Add the Garlic Herb Butter
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Add the butter, crushed garlic, rosemary, and thyme to the skillet.
Once the butter melts and begins to foam, tilt the skillet slightly and use a spoon to repeatedly scoop the melted butter over the steaks.
Continue basting for approximately 1–2 minutes.
Add the fresh parsley near the end.
The butter, garlic, and herbs will create a rich, aromatic coating.
7. Check the Temperature
Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak.
Approximate temperatures are:
- Rare: 120–125°F
- Medium-rare: 130–135°F
- Medium: 140–145°F
- Medium-well: 150–155°F
- Well-done: 160°F+
The steak will continue cooking slightly while it rests.
For food-safety guidance, whole cuts of beef should reach the recommended safe internal temperature; if you’re cooking for someone at higher risk from foodborne illness, follow stricter temperature guidance.
8. Rest the Steak
Transfer the steaks to a cutting board.
Let them rest for approximately 5–10 minutes.
This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Spoon some of the garlic herb butter from the skillet over the steaks before serving.
Tips for the Best New York Strip Steak
Choose a Well-Marbled Steak
Look for steaks with good marbling throughout the meat. The fat melts during cooking and contributes to tenderness and flavor.
Dry the Steak
Moisture prevents proper browning. Pat the steaks completely dry before seasoning.
Get the Pan Hot
A properly heated skillet is essential for developing that deep, flavorful crust.
Don’t Press the Steak
Avoid pressing down on the steak with a spatula. You’ll force flavorful juices out of the meat.
Use a Thermometer
Thickness varies considerably, so an instant-read thermometer is more reliable than cooking strictly by time.
Don’t Skip the Rest
A short resting period makes a noticeable difference in juiciness.
Easy Garlic Herb Butter Variations
Lemon Garlic Butter
Add 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest and a small squeeze of lemon juice.
Blue Cheese Butter
Mix softened butter with crumbled blue cheese and fresh parsley.
Cajun Butter
Add Cajun seasoning and a pinch of cayenne.
Rosemary Garlic Butter
Use extra fresh rosemary for a stronger herbal flavor.
Chili Garlic Butter
Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy finish.
What to Serve With New York Strip Steak
Complete your steak dinner with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Crispy roasted potatoes
- Creamed spinach
- Roasted asparagus
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Green beans
- Caesar salad
- Creamed corn
- Baked potato
- Garlic bread
For a classic steakhouse-style dinner, serve the steak with crispy potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and roasted asparagus.
Make-Ahead Garlic Herb Butter
The garlic herb butter can be prepared ahead of time.
Combine softened butter with minced garlic, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Roll the mixture into a small log using parchment paper.
Refrigerate until firm.
Slice off pieces whenever you need them.
It will keep refrigerated for several days.
Storage
Store leftover steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
For the best texture, reheat gently rather than cooking it at very high heat.
You can also slice cold leftover steak thinly and use it in:
- Steak sandwiches
- Salads
- Wraps
- Tacos
- Breakfast bowls
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York Strip tender?
Yes. New York Strip is a naturally tender cut with good marbling and a rich beefy flavor.
Can I cook it without cast iron?
Absolutely. A heavy stainless-steel skillet also works very well.
How long should I cook a New York Strip?
Cooking time depends heavily on thickness and desired doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer for the most reliable result.
Should I use butter from the beginning?
It’s better to add butter toward the end. Starting with butter over very high heat can cause it to burn before the steak develops its crust.
Why is my steak not getting a crust?
The steak may be too wet, the skillet may not be hot enough, or the pan may be overcrowded.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Rest Before Cooking: 20–30 minutes
Cook Time: 8–12 minutes
Rest After Cooking: 5–10 minutes
Total Time: About 40–50 minutes
Servings: 2
Category: Dinner, Steak
Method: Skillet
Final Thoughts
This New York Strip Steak with Garlic Herb Butter is a simple way to create an impressive steakhouse-style meal at home. A hot skillet creates a deeply browned crust, while the garlic, rosemary, thyme, and butter add incredible richness.
Pair it with your favorite potato and vegetable sides, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality dinner that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.