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When you want to impress, this cast iron skillet steak recipe will not let you down! Perfect for date night or a special occasion, this steak turns out perfectly every single time. Seasoned with garlic and fresh herbs, this stovetop steak is easy and extra tasty.
Ingredients for cooking steak
- Steak: We like to use Ribeye or New York Strip steaks for this cooking method. For best results, they should be about 1 to 1 ½ inch in thickness.
- Oil: We like to use avocado oil to cook the steak, but other high heat oils like vegetable or canola will work well.
- Salt and pepper: To season the steaks.
- Butter: Once the steaks are seared, butter is added to the skillet and it adds a delicious richness and helps to brown the beef.
- Fresh herbs: Add in some fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme for added flavor.
- Garlic: Smash the garlic cloves before adding to the skillet for a hint of flavor.
How to cook steak in skillet
- Pat the steaks dry.
- Season with salt and pepper and place in a hot skillet.
- Sear the steaks on each side.
- Add the butter, garlic and herbs to the skillet.
- Spoon the melted butter over the top of the steaks until cooked to your doneness.
Tips for cooking steak
- Make sure the steak comes to room temperature. This will take about 20-30 minutes and allows the steak to cook evenly on the inside and outside.
- Cook the steak on its sides if it’s a thick piece. This helps to render the white fat that can be on the edge of some steak cuts and sears the edges for more flavor.
- Make sure that the oil is hot before adding the steaks to the skillet. It should be shimmering when you add them in. If the oil is not hot enough, the steaks won’t sear properly.
- Allow the steaks to rest after cooking. Remove them from the skillet and loosley cover them with foil for at least 5 minutes. This will allow the fats to redistribute so that you have an extra juice steak.
Frequently asked questions
For the best results, use an instant read thermometer to check when your steaks are cooked to your liking. As the steaks rest, they will continue to rise in temperature.
Medium rare: Take the steaks out when they hit 130F to rise to 135F
Medium well: Take the steaks out when they hit 145F to rise to 150F
Well done: Take the steaks out when they hit 155F to rise to 160F
For this recipe, a cut that is around 1 to 1 ½ inches in thickness works best. Thicker cut steaks would need to be seared in the skillet and then finished off in the oven to cook through. Thinner steaks like skirt can be used and would require less cooking time.
This cast iron skillet steak is great to serve with potato, veggies and salad sides. Try it with:
Oven Baked French Fries
Green Beans with Almonds
Avocado Caprese Salad
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Vegetables
Cheesy Gouda Scalloped Potatoes
This cast iron skillet steak recipe cooks perfect results every single time. It’s so easy to cook exactly to your liking, and it’s a great go to dinner recipe if you are looking to impress!
More dinner recipes:
- Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken
- Baked Feta Salmon
- Easy Beef Stew
- Lemon Parsley Baked Cod
- Roasted Chicken with Garlic & Herbs
If you try this healthy-ish feel good Cast Iron Skillet Steak recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
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Cast Iron Skillet Steak
Video
Ingredients
- 2 Ribeye or New York Strip steaks about 1- 1 ½ in thickness
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
- 2-4 garlic cloves smashed
Instructions
- Allow the steaks to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Then pat them dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering.
- Place the steaks in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on one side without touching. Use tongs to flip the steaks and cook for 4 more minutes on the other side.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, add butter, garlic and rosemary or thyme sprigs. Once the butter melts, tilt the skillet and spoon the butter over the steaks repeatedly until the steaks reach desired doneness, keeping in mind that the temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees after you remove from heat and the steaks rest.
- Transfer the steaks to a plate or cutting board, and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. Serve with the melted butter, garlic and rosemary from the skillet.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Great recipe.
Thanks so much!
This recipe is a keeper! I live in a condo where I cannot have a grill and this is better than grilled! Followed exactly and it was perfect!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I defrosted a sirloin steak for tonight. Can I use your recipe for this cut?
Yes, that should work well!
This was so easy & turned out fantastic ! This cast iron skillet way is perfect for 1 or 2 steaks & great for those who don’t or can’t use the BBQ . I will make it again for sure !
So happy you enjoyed it, thanks for your feedback!
This turned out great. We like medium doneness. I took from the heat around 140 F and rested a few minutes. Perfect. Followed your recipe exactly as described. Will definitely make again. Thank you!
Awesome! This makes me so happy to hear.
Any suggestions for seasoning if you don’t have the fresh herbs?
You could use dry herbs instead, but just note a little will go along way when using dried.
This was my 1st time using my cast iron pan to cook steak. It was so delicious that I even licked the plate clean, lol. So delicious!
Thank-you!
Yay! So happy to hear that, you’re so welcome!
Excellent, i’ve never cooked steak like this before its robust and flavorful
So glad you liked it, Mckenzie!
I absolutely love my cast iron skillet. That thing is a beast and cleans up easily. Definitely making this steak recipe tonight. Saved a AAA steak for this.
This was so easy and delicious! What serving size is the nutritional information based upon? 1 steak or 2?
Thanks so much! It’s an estimate for 1 steak.
I’ve made this recipe numerous times. My boyfriend loves it. I also season my steak with garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary and Montreal Steak Seasoning. Gives it a little extra crunch.
So happy to hear that!
My husband LOVED this recipe. So did I. 😋 this was my first time cooking New York steak, so the only thing I wish you would have added on the recipe is the temperatures for how to cook the meat
Hi Esther, in the FAQs I do include the temperatures for preferred level of doneness. So glad you and your husband enjoyed!
Awesome! I’m sorry I missed that, thank you!
You’re so welcome, no problem at all.
steak perfection if you follow this simple recipe, thank you! quick, easy, juicy, superb crust and flavor. just make sure you have highest quality meat, know your cast iron/watch the temp, avocado oil and butter are your friends! mmmmwahhh!
Thank you so much!
Oh my goodness these were fabulous! I would have loved to had taken a picture. But it was a very fast meal and we were starving 🤣 so good, I would recommend this to anyone who likes using cast iron.
Thank you so much, Donna! So glad to hear that you liked the cast iron steak!
Will be trying this recipe soon! One question, is marinating the steaks before hand not needed? I assume just the salt and pepper after dabbing is the only before hand seasoning??
I can’t wait to try this!
Hi Tori, great question! No, you do not have to marinate the steaks, although you can if you want to! I like simple for steak, personally. Hope you enjoy!
This method is absolutely & ridiculously insane!
Thanks, Lee!
Made this recipe tonite! First time using my cast iron pan and was very happy with the results. Wasn’t sure whether to grill outdoors, use my air fryer or try the cast iron method. The cast iron pan won! Have used it lately more frequently & have been pleased! Thanks!!
You’re welcome! So glad it turned out great. Cast iron is my go-to for cooking steak indoors, for sure. Air fryer steak is a close second. You’ll have to try the air fryer and let me know which was your favorite method!
This was amazing!!!
We added red wine to the sauce (butter, garlic Rosemary) and deglazed the pan and added the steaks back. Delicious!!! Thank you for this great recipe!!
Thank you!! That sounds delicious. Happy to have shared the recipe!
Finally tried cooking in the cast iron and we will never go back to grilling! Absolutely delicious. Restaurant quality crispy outside but so juicy inside, and couldn’t have been easier . Used a ribeye cut and did not need but a minute after searing to get medium rare we prefer.
I love that! That is such a compliment. Yay!
Thank you! This was a perfect recipe. I cut the seer time and put the steaks in the oven in the cast iron for 19 minutes as we like them more done. They were still pink and juicy.
Great flavor, subtle, savory with a touch of herb. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome! That is perfect. Yay!!
This was the first time I’ve ever used cast iron. Your recipe was so easy to follow and my ribeyes were delicious. I think this is the way I will make my steaks from now on. I now have the confidence to try other cast iron recipes.
I am so glad you found this easy to make! Hope you continue to enjoy!
Thank you for this recipe!!
You’re so welcome!
This is THE BEST steak recipe hands down. I love, love, love it. I added onions and mushrooms to the mix after the steaks are doe, saute and…chef kiss.
Thank you so much! I am so happy to hear it!
I have always grilled our steaks! This method is so much better. It’s the butter, garlic, and herbs that make the difference. I followed this recipe to the letter. Thank you.
I’m so glad you tried this method and enjoyed! You’re so welcome!!
made the best steak of my life following this recipe. thank you!
Yay!! You’re so welcome!
The Ads block the text when trying to print this.
How did you go about printing the recipe? If you scroll to the recipe card, there’s a printer icon. When you click on it, I have it formatted in a way to print on 1-2 pages maximum with no images, no large font or anything that takes up too much ink. Can you try that? It should work fine.
Ok you don’t show us the step by step instructions on your meals
The full recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom. Hope that helps!
This is the absolute best way to cook a good steak. Fresh sprigs of rosemary and thyme are important. This is better than grilling them on a gas grill, and it’s quicker.
Thank you!!