My husband and I were lounging on the deck after the ids went to bed a few nights ago, cold drinks in hand, enjoying the quiet summer evening when I suddenly realized that Father’s Day is this weekend! I’ve been waiting for some big summer kick off to happen, but without me noticing, it’s arrived along with a day to celebrate our dudes. A craft from the kids is likely in the cards, plus a big, juicy steak. Perfect Grilled Steak with Herb Butter, to be specific!
Watch How to Make It
Perfect Grilled Steak with Homemade Herb Butter
Thick-cut steaks are rubbed with a generous layer of homemade steak seasoning then grilled and smothered with thick-cut compound herb butter, which is fancy talk for butter mixed with fresh herbs, garlic, and steak seasoning. You are going to want to put this butter on EVERYTHING.
How Do you Grill the Perfect Steak?
The trick for perfect grilled steak is to create two heat zones on your grill – one side will be screaming hot with a high flame, while the second side will be unlit and cooler. Sear the steaks on the hot side to get a flavorful, golden brown crust and those coveted grill lines, then move them over to the cooler side to finish cooking all the way through. This creates a sizzling steak on the outside, and tender, buttery steak on the inside. YUM. Hey you know what? Steaks on the grill with sweet corn on the side? THIS is the kickoff to summer I’ve been waiting for!
Pair it with Orzo Salad
Step 1: Make the Steak Seasoning
Start by making the homemade steak seasoning. Trust me – this homemade version is light years better than anything you have pre-mixed in your cupboard. Add rock salt, whole black peppercorns, minced dried garlic, minced dried onion, fennel seeds, and red chili pepper flakes to a mortar then grind it up with the pestle. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, add the ingredients to a heavy duty Ziplock bag, squeeze all the air out then crush with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy bottomed skillet.
How to Grind Spices
It’s hard to beat freshly ground spices for flavoring steaks and other cuts of meat, and as I mentioned, a mortar and pestle is the way to do it. This one from ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle is made of granite and costs about $30. Another option is an electric spice grinder, which could be useful if you find yourself grinding your own spices often. This one from Krups has a removable bowl that’s dishwasher safe and you can get it for around $40.
Step 2: Make the Herb Butter
Next make the Herb Butter. To a bowl add salted butter that’s been softened to room temperature, finely minced rosemary and thyme, chopped parsley, minced garlic, plus a big pinch of the homemade steak seasoning. That last addition is what totally makes the butter.
Mix to combine then scoop the butter onto a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log. Refrigerate until solid – overnight is great – or freeze for 20-30 minutes if time is of the essence.
Step 3: Prep the Steaks
These photos show 1lb Bone-In Strip Steaks cut 1-1/2″ thick but you can use whatever steak cut you like best. Ribeyes are a treat! Pat the steaks very dry with a paper towel then drizzle both sides with a small amount of vegetable oil and rub with a generous pinch of steak seasoning. Don’t be afraid to add a lot – this is a TON of meat!
Step 4: Grill the Steaks
As I said, the best way to get sizzling steaks on the outside and juicy, buttery steak on the inside is to first sear the steaks over a hot, high flame, then move the steaks over to a cooler, unlit portion of the grill to finish cooking via indirect heat. Here’s how you do that:
Steak Temperatures for Doneness:
Rare (cool red center): 125 degrees Medium rare (warm red center): 135 degrees Medium (warm pink center): 145 degrees Medium well (slightly pink center): 150 degrees Well done (little or no pink): 160 degrees
Let the steaks rest on a platter for at least 15 minutes, then top them with big fat slices of herb butter.
Juicy grilled steak perfection!! That salty-seasoned crust and compound herb butter are mind meltingly-delicious. Your quest for perfect grilled steak ends right here. Enjoy, enjoy!
Side Dish Ideas for Grilled Steak
Baked Potatoes Healthy Mashed Potatoes The BEST Pasta Salad Gluten Free Potato Salad Best Baked Beans EVER Napa Sweet Corn Salad Mediterranean Orzo Salad Broiled Seasoned Potatoes Cucumber and Tomato Salad
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