How to Cook Steak Perfectly in a Pan

How often can you have restaurant quality steak? Whenever you want at home with this recipe. We’ll show you how to cook steak in a pan at home that’s restaurant quality, and delicious!

Best Steaks to Use with Pan Frying

Filet mignons are the easiest to cook at home, because they’re the most tender. Ribeye is great too, though. This recipe is great for all steak cuts!   If you need to do some steak reading, check out this article that explains the difference in each cut. It’s pretty informative and will help you when you’re grocery shopping for some beef.

Steps to make Restaurant Quality Pan Cooked Steak:

Step 1: Let the steaks rest outside the package on the counter for about 30 minutes. This brings the steak up to temperature to save some cooking time. The less heat you have to use, the more tender your steak.

Step 2: Dab your steak with a paper towel to remove excess moisture- this will help caramelize it. After that, coat the steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Flakey sea salt with a medium grain gives a nice, even crust but whatever you have on hand will do in a pinch.

Step 3:  We’re going to put together some compound butter. You can do this during the 30 minutes your steak sits out so you don’t lose any time. Butter, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Mash it up and that’s it!

Transfer mixed compound butter into plastic wrap, form into a log, and refrigerate it until solid. This allows you to create perfect slices atop your restaurant quality steak. 

Step 4: Heat the pan on medium high, and add 2 tablespoons of plain butter (we’ll save the compound butter for later).

• Step 5: Once the 2 tablespoons of butter have melted and the butter is sizzling*, add steaks to the pan and sear on each side for 2-4 minutes, or until the steak reaches your desired doneness and internal temperature.
  • NOT smoking- but sizzling! If the butter smokes, your pan is too hot and you need to redo it- too hot of a pan will overcook your steak and it will not be salvageable. 
  • Pro Tip- Check out this guide from Susie over at Hey Grill Hey for which temperature you prefer your steak to be cooked to. 

While your steak is cooking, spoon butter on it to keep it moist and delicious. Once you’ve reached your desired internal temperature, slice up that compound butter, put it on top of your steak to melt and dinner is done!

Equipment Used to Cook Steak in a Pan

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Tongs
• Cutting Board (Make sure to use a cutting board with ridges on it when you slice your steak to keep the juices from spilling onto the counter.)

(Please note- As an Amazon affiliate we may earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you).

Looking for other steak recipes? Try these!

• Easy Salisbury Steak
• Stuffed Flank Steak with Mushrooms, Blue Cheese and Spinach
• Mongolian Beef with Peppers
• Reverse Seared Steak
• Steak with Pan Sauce

Enjoy this delicious, restaurant quality steak dinner! – Kathi and Rachel

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How to Cook Steak in a Pan

With garlic compound butter, you'll be so glad you learned how to make this!

4.96 from 23 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes

Total Time: 46 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 people

Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

• 2 filet mignons
• salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp butter

Compound Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 tbsp fresh chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Let steak rest outside packaging in room temperature for 30 minutes
• Using a paper towel, remove excess moisture from steak. 
• Mix compound butter; form into long within plastic wrap once fully mixed and refrigerate.
• Season steak with salt and pepper
• Heat cast iron pan to medium-high; melt 2 tablespoons of butter in pan. Once butter is simmering (NOT smoking- don't let it get too hot otherwise your steak will burn!) add steak.

  *** Be cautious of hot butter, it can splatter. Wearing protective gloves or mits is recommend***
• Sear 2-3 minute on each side, or until 130 degrees internally. Spoon melted butter over top of steak to keep it moist. 
• Top steak with slice of compound butter & enjoy!

Notes

*Recipe estimates 1 steak per person. 

Nutrition

Calories: 489kcal | Protein: 15g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 258mg | Vitamin A: 965IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 2.1mg