If you love a classic surf-and-turf dinner, this Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp recipe gives you everything you want in one skillet: juicy seared steak, tender shrimp, fresh garlic, melted butter, herbs, and a bright touch of lemon. It feels rich and special enough for date night or entertaining, but the cooking method is simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
The steak is seared over high heat to create a flavorful golden crust while keeping the center tender. The shrimp are cooked separately so they stay juicy instead of becoming rubbery. Everything is then brought together with a quick garlic herb butter that coats both proteins and picks up all the browned flavor from the skillet.
Serve this dish with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, rice, pasta, or vegetables. It also works beautifully as part of a larger steakhouse-style platter with asparagus, broccoli, or a crisp salad.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp
This recipe gives you two favorite proteins in one meal without requiring complicated preparation. Steak and shrimp cook quickly, so once your ingredients are ready, dinner comes together fast.
The garlic butter is the real finishing touch. Butter adds richness, fresh garlic provides bold savory flavor, and herbs add freshness. Lemon juice cuts through the richness and makes the shrimp taste especially bright.
Another reason this recipe works so well is that the steak and shrimp are cooked separately. They need very different cooking times, so this method lets you control the doneness of each one.
You can also customize the recipe with Cajun seasoning, mushrooms, Parmesan, cream, or extra spice.
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 1½ pounds sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 6 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
- Extra parsley
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or vegetables
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp
1. Prepare the Steak
Remove the steak from the refrigerator about 20–30 minutes before cooking.
Pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. A dry surface helps the meat develop a better sear instead of steaming in the skillet.
Cut the steak into large bite-size cubes, approximately 1 to 1½ inches, or leave it whole if you prefer sliced steak.
Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
2. Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
Place them in a bowl and season with salt, paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Dry shrimp brown better and release less water into the skillet, so this step is worth the extra minute.
Set aside while you heat the pan.
3. Heat the Skillet
Place a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high to high heat.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Let the skillet get very hot. The oil should shimmer before you add the steak.
A hot skillet is essential for developing a dark, flavorful crust.
4. Sear the Steak
Add the steak in a single layer.
Do not overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook in two batches.
Let the steak sear without moving it for approximately 2 minutes.
Turn the pieces and cook for another 1–2 minutes, depending on how done you like your steak.
For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of around 130–135°F before resting. For medium, aim for around 140–145°F.
Transfer the steak to a plate.
5. Rest the Steak
Let the steak rest while you cook the shrimp.
Resting allows the juices to redistribute through the meat, helping each bite stay tender and juicy.
Do not wipe out the skillet completely. The browned bits left behind from the steak add valuable flavor to the garlic butter sauce.
6. Cook the Shrimp
Reduce the heat slightly to medium-high.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil if the skillet looks dry.
Arrange the shrimp in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes on the first side.
Flip and cook for about 1 minute more.
The shrimp should turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape.
Remove them from the skillet before they become tightly curled, which can indicate overcooking.
7. Make the Garlic Butter
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Add the butter to the skillet.
Once melted, add the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and optional red pepper flakes.
Cook for approximately 30–45 seconds, stirring constantly.
Do not let the garlic become dark brown, as burned garlic can make the sauce bitter.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
8. Add Lemon and Parsley
Stir in the fresh lemon juice and half of the chopped parsley.
The lemon brightens the buttery sauce and balances the richness of the steak.
Let the sauce bubble gently for about 30 seconds.
Taste and adjust with a small pinch of salt or black pepper if needed.
9. Return the Steak and Shrimp
Add the steak and shrimp back to the skillet.
Toss gently until both are coated in the garlic butter.
Cook for only another 30–60 seconds, just until everything is warmed through.
Avoid cooking much longer, or the shrimp may become rubbery and the steak may lose its ideal doneness.
10. Garnish and Serve
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Sprinkle with the remaining fresh parsley and extra black pepper.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and spoon the garlic butter from the bottom of the skillet over the steak and shrimp.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp
Creamy mashed potatoes are one of the best sides for this dish because they soak up the garlic butter beautifully.
Roasted potatoes or crispy potato wedges are another excellent option if you want more texture.
Rice also works very well. White rice, garlic rice, wild rice, or seasoned rice pilaf can absorb the flavorful skillet juices.
For pasta, try linguine, fettuccine, or buttered noodles. Toss the pasta with a little of the garlic butter before adding the steak and shrimp on top.
Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, green beans, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, or mushrooms help balance the richness of the meal.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp
Pat both proteins dry. This is one of the most important steps for proper browning.
Use a very hot skillet for the steak. High heat helps create a crust without overcooking the inside.
Do not overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if necessary.
Cook steak and shrimp separately. They require different cooking times.
Use fresh garlic. Freshly minced garlic gives the butter much deeper flavor.
Do not overcook shrimp. Shrimp can go from tender to rubbery very quickly.
Rest the steak. Even bite-size steak benefits from a few minutes of resting.
Add lemon at the end. This preserves its fresh, bright flavor.
Easy Recipe Variations
Cajun Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp
Season the steak and shrimp with Cajun seasoning instead of paprika and garlic powder.
Add extra red pepper flakes for more heat.
Creamy Garlic Steak and Shrimp
After cooking the garlic, stir in ¾ cup heavy cream and ¼ cup grated Parmesan.
Simmer gently until slightly thickened, then return the steak and shrimp to the skillet.
Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp with Mushrooms
Sauté 8 ounces sliced mushrooms after cooking the steak.
Let them become golden before moving on to the shrimp.
Spicy Steak and Shrimp
Add cayenne pepper to the seasoning and extra crushed red pepper flakes to the butter.
Garlic Parmesan Steak and Shrimp
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the finished dish just before serving.
How to Store and Reheat
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days, although the shrimp are best enjoyed sooner.
For best results, reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small amount of butter or broth.
Add the steak first, then the shrimp during the final minute so the seafood does not overcook.
You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, but use lower power if possible.
Freezing is not recommended because cooked shrimp can become rubbery after thawing and reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp recipe is a simple way to create a restaurant-style surf-and-turf dinner at home. Juicy steak, tender shrimp, fresh garlic, melted butter, herbs, and lemon come together in one skillet for a meal that feels rich, impressive, and full of flavor.
The key is to cook the steak and shrimp separately, use high heat for a good sear, and finish everything quickly in the garlic butter without overcooking.
Serve it with mashed potatoes for classic comfort food, rice for an easy weeknight dinner, pasta for a richer meal, or roasted vegetables for something lighter. However you serve it, this steak and shrimp combination is an easy recipe you can return to whenever you want something special without a complicated cooking process.