Pan-Seared Steak

Restaurant-quality crust, butter-basted

Prep: Cook: Serves: 2

Ingredients

tap to check off

  • 2 ribeye or NY strip steaks (1-1.5 inches)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • Flaky salt and coarse pepper

Instructions

tap a step to focus · tap times to start a timer

  1. Remove steaks from fridge before. Pat very dry. Season generously.
  2. Heat oil in cast iron over high until smoking.
  3. Lay steaks in pan. Sear until deep crust forms.
  4. Flip. Add butter, garlic, herbs. Tilt pan and baste continuously .
  5. Check temp: 120°F rare, 130°F medium-rare, 140°F medium.
  6. Rest . Slice against grain.

Notes

  • Room temp steak cooks evenly.
  • Dry surface = better crust.
  • Don't touch while searing.
  • Resting redistributes juices.

Serious Eats (Kenji López-Alt tested)