They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, you know what…..they’re right!!! It’s only taken us about a decade but we’ve finally got our Valentine’s Day style down pat. When my hubby and I first started dating our idea of Valentine’s Day were two completely opposite things! I was a serial monogamist constantly jumping from one long term relationship to the next, while he was a lifelong bachelor and had been dodging Cupids chokehold for years. Our first Valentine’s Day together made it pretty obvious just how much we misread the other and we both totally missed the mark. I pulled out all the stops, gushy card, his favorite chocolates, a fancy jacuzzi suite that I could barely afford, the works!! While he would have been happy to skip the sappy holiday and I’m pretty sure he ran out to the store the morning of to grab a card because he felt bad. He DID take me out to dinner……to a Hibachi restaurant…..with his WHOLE family!!! And I’m talking like extended family too, like we had a group of 20! No sneaking kisses at this dinner table! Well it took us a few years but we finally realized what we both want most on Valentine’s Day is a romantic dinner, at home, that we cook together. We’re homebodies and we love spending time together in the kitchen! We reserve this recipe for special occasions and Valentine’s Day is one of those special moments for us. Plus it’s hard to want to leave the house when we can cook a steak this good in the comfort of your own home!
Here’s all you’ll need: 2 steaks (your favorite cut will work), olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon, parsley, thyme, kosher salt and pepper.
Mix two tablespoons of softened butter, garlic, lemon zest, and chopped herbs. This herb butter is beyond flavorful! You’re gonna be hooked once you try it!
Form it into a log and refrigerate. I find it easy to just plop it down onto some plastic wrap. Seal it. And then mold it into the log, plus you won’t get your hands dirty!
Generously salt and pepper the steak on both sides. This will help to form a nice “crust” when we sear! We went with NY Strips but Filets are always wonderful too!!
Ok now here’s the catch! You will need an oven safe pan for this recipe. Make sure they’re rated to go into the oven. I love the Calphalon Unison set (not a sponsored post or a plug) and part of the reason that I chose them was because they’re both oven AND dishwasher safe, although I rarely put them in the dishwasher. This grill pan was purchased individually and was not part of the set. So even if you’re not ready for a whole new set of pots and pans, just grab a single one like this! Cast iron is also a great way to make this recipe and very inexpensive. We’ve done it that way as well and it’s superb! Anyways…..heat the oil and remaining two tablespoons of butter in an oven safe pan over medium heat until melted. Once the butter is melted, crank the heat up to medium high to get that stuff screeching hot! Keep the heat cranked up, place the steaks in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Flip the steaks and sear for 2-3 minutes on the other side. Another reason why I love this pan….look at those grill marks!!! You seriously won’t get a better steak if you go out to a restaurant! Plus it’s WAY cheaper and you don’t have to deal with V-day crowds. Spoon any residual butter from the pan over top of the steaks. Place the entire pan in a 400 degree preheated oven for 6-8 minutes depending on the cut and thickness of your steak. My hubby prefers his more towards the rare side, so 6 minutes is plenty. I like mine more towards medium so mine stays in for the full 8. We disagree on our steak doneness too….shocker!!! But we CAN agree that we both LOVE this recipe!
Place a slice of the herb butter on top during the last minute of cooking. I like to toss a couple slabs on there. You can never have enough herb butter! Don’t forget the oven mitts!! Those pans are hot, hot, HOT!!!! For medium rare, you’re shooting for 135 degree on a meat thermometer inserted in the center.
You can serve immediately, but I like to let it rest for a minute or two! It helps all of the juices to set up and makes for a picture perfect presentation. See for yourself! May I suggest pairing with our Perfect Baked Potato recipe? Truly a match made in Heaven! Happy Valentine’s Day!!
How To Cook The Best Steak Ever!!!
Ingredients
- two steaks (cut of your choice, we prefer NY Strips or Filets)
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- freshly cracked pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon parsley, minced
- 1 tablespoon thyme, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
- Step 1 Mix two tablespoons of softened butter, garlic, lemon zest, and chopped herbs. Form it into a log and refrigerate.
- Step 2 Generously salt and pepper the steak on both sides.
- Step 3 Heat the oil and remaining two tablespoons of butter in an oven safe pan over medium heat until melted. Crank the heat to medium high and heat until butter is screeching hot!
- Step 4 Place the steaks in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Flip the steaks and sear for 2-3 minutes on the other side.
- Step 5 Place the entire pan in a 400 degree preheated oven for 6-8 minutes depending on the cut and thickness of your steak.
- Step 6 Place a slice of the herb butter on top during the last minute of cooking.For medium rare, a meat thermometer should read 135 degrees when inserted in the center.
- Step 7 Let rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. Enjoy!!
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below!
I’d have to say that the way to *my* heart is through my stomach, too… and of course, this recipe looks so amazing, anyone would have my heart if they made me this! Haha!!
Thanks Emily! My hubby is always the man behind the grill, but he happily steps aside and let’s me run the show when I’m making this recipe!
We made steaks for Christmas in a very similar fashion. Next time I want to add your butter recipe — it sounds so good.
What a nice Christmas dinner! The compound butter gives it such a nice flavor. I hope you like it!
Oh this looks so good! I love the compound butter idea. Definitely am going to be making this steak dinner soon for myself and the hubs :-).
Thanks Leigh! It’s so easy to do but really takes the Steak to an epic level!
These are some great tips! I feel like my steak is never good enough haha so just pinned it for future reference! Thank you!
Thanks Celeste! This recipe is tried and true. I prefer it over the grill even! Very tasty!!
I’m not a beef eater but will have to share this with my husband, who really enjoys making steak!
I was always a strictly chicken kind of gal, but it’s grown on me over the years!
That herb butter is a game changer! This looks so delicious.
Thanks Marissa! Yes it definitely will up your steak game!
Will have to sneak these to my hubby because he swears you can only grill a steak outside…no matter what the weather. Going to change his world with this recipe.
It’s the only time my hubby lets me run the show with the steaks!