Cast Iron Thyme Butter Steak – Crispy Crust, Tender Center

Introduction

Thyme butter steak is the best of farmhouse creamy garlic-tasty steak, which adorns a juicy piece of steak with a rich bulb of thyme-flavored butter, making each bite a pleasure. If you want to take your steak to the next level, then this recipe is right for you. The addition of fresh thyme and creamy butter gives back the savory and herbaceous flavor to the steaks and becomes melty on its taste when bitten. In any case, whether you are grilling, pan-searing, or broiling your steak, Thyme butter works like magic to take your meal to the next level.

Why Thyme Butter Works So Well with Steak

The reason why thyme butter is appropriate for steak is because there are two ingredients that go in harmony well. Butter enhances the flavor of the steak and also provides an element of smoothness to the food you need when having a dense steak. Thyme, on the other hand, imparts a savory slightly hot taste to the butter; this aroma compliments the taste of beef. The combination of these ingredients makes a tasty contrast to the steak meat and finishes it off with a refined herby note.

What I like about thyme butter is the fact that you can use it just about anywhere you want to add butter, thyme and a hint of garlic. It really does not matter if you are grilling a ribeye or filet mignon, sirloin or any other cut; this buttery thyme sauce works perfectly for any steak and brings out the natural flavor as it complements the steak’s flavors with a powerful and delicate taste.

Ingredients

For a perfect thyme butter steak, you will have to use a few straightforward items that can unlock every flavor of the steak as well as the thyme butter. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Steak:

• 2 Ribeye Steaks (or your preferred cut, such as filet mignon, New York strip, or sirloin)
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (for searing)

For the Thyme Butter:

• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme (chopped)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest (optional, for a touch of brightness)
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard (optional, for a slight tang)

How to Make: Thyme Butter Steak

1. Choose the Right Cut of Steak

First, choose one of the best cuts that you will complement the recipe with thyme butter, such as the tenderloin. Here are some of the best options:

• Ribeye: Rib-eye is the well-marbled cut that produces delicious flavors when prepared for thyme butter steak. Because of the fat which is inherent in the steak, this makes it tender and juicy and the sauce used in this preparation which includes butter is the best.
• Filet Mignon: This cut is as tender and lean as any of the other eye round cuts and is suits the preparation of the thyme butter.
• New York Strip: As it is light and flavorful, New York strip is ideal for this recipe, and it is tender enough as well.
• Sirloin: Also cheaper compared to the traditional cut, the sirloin remains one of the most delicious and juicy of cuts, provided that it is well prepared.

Staying with the thickness of a steak; this should be a thick enough steak to be seared properly so that it does not become overcooked when the thyme butter it is coated with is added to it.

2. Season the Steak

• The next thing that would follow once you have decided which cut of beef you would like to go with is seasoning. After preparing the steaks you need to pat them dry with some paper towels— this helps a lot when you want to sear the steaks. Rub both sides of the steak with an amount of salt and fresh ground black pepper. This basic seasoning assists in bringing out the natural flavors in the best tasting steak.
• For extra taste you may also wish to lightly rub the steaks with olive oil. The oil ensures that the seasoning adheres and also during the searing process.

3. Make the Thyme Butter

Well, it’s high time you make the thyme butter which is going to change the look and taste of your steak. Here’s how to do it:

• In a medium bowl mash the unsalted butter and then add chopped fresh thyme and minced garlic. With time, both thyme and garlic should release their oils into the butter resulting in the preparation of an aromatic butter.
• Add lemon zest if you feel that the butter is too heavy, you would like to have a little zing on your dish. If you prefer more flavoring then you can also add Dijon mustard for a slight tang, or balsamic vinegar for a bit of acidity.
• Just combine all the ingredients very well after preparing the batter for the cupcakes. You may add pepper and salt to correct the flavor if the dish has gone wrong.
• When combined, put the thyme butter onto a plastic foil or piece of parchment paper and shape into a roll. Put it in the refrigerator for a half an hour to make sure that all the different flavors imbue the cake well and make it easy for shaving when you are ready to serve it.

4. Cook the Steak

• Next, let’s address the process of actual cooking of the steak. As mentioned there are many ways of making thyme butter steak though pan-searing is one of the best methods since it give the surface of the meat the brown outside layer while keeping the inside soft.

Pan-Seared Thyme Butter Steak:

• Preheat your skillet: Take a cast iron skillet, or any thick bottomed pan and heat it over medium high heat. Allow it to heat up for just a few minutes and then it should be hot.
• Sear the steak: Pour around two tablespoons of olive oil on to the pan then put the steaks into the frying pan. Do not overcrowd the pan, if you have to, cook the steaks in batches. Grill the steaks for 3-4 minutes, a side is that you get that sort of seared, caramelized surface.
• Add butter: After the steaks are nicely browned, turn the heat of the fry pan down to medium heat. Several the prepared thyme butter on top of the pan and allow it to melt over the steaks; about a tablespoon or two. Take a spoon and apply the melted butter onto the steaks to give an excellent flavor when served.
• Finish cooking: Proceed and cook the steaks until they are done just as you like:
  • Rare: 120°F (49°C)
  • Medium-rare: 130°F (54°C)
  • Medium: 140°F (60°C)
  • Medium-well: 150°F (66°C)
  • Well-done: 160°F (71°C)

If you are preparing tenderloins the steaks must be cooked while if you are preparing choice grade steaks you can finish them in an oven. Put your oven to 400°F (200°C) and put the skillet with the steaks in to bake in the oven after a sear. Grill for about 4 – 6 minutes in order to achieve medium-rare or more if you wish it well-done.

5. Rest the Steak

• After the steaks are well seared according to your preferred doneness pull them out from the pan to rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to circulate back throughout the meat giving a much required tender and juicy steak.

6. Serve with Thyme Butter

• Cut the steaks across the line in which the striations are located and place a large spoonful of the remaining thyme butter on top of the steak. You can also add a little chopped green parsley on top to beautify your dish and finish off with the beauty of fresh herbal taste. You can serve your thyme butter steak with other complementary dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes or a simple green salad.

Check Out: Perfect Herb-Crusted Steak Recipe – Crispy, Juicy, and Full of Flavor.

How To Cook Thyme Butter Steak: Useful Tips

Don’t overcook the steak: Further cooking the steak makes it hard, dry and this is very dangerous as far as food preparation is concerned. It is always good to insert a meat thermometer before the steaks to determine the degree of well done steaks.

• Rest the steak: An important aspect of grilling the steak is leaving it on the tray or plate to allow the juices settle and blend back for a soft juicy chunk of taste.
• Use fresh thyme: When it comes to the addition of the fresh thyme it is better to put it in the butter and out of all the options. That is why ingredients such as dried thyme can be easily substituted with fresh thyme though the taste will be different because the fresh thyme is brighter and fresher.
• Customize the butter: This is where you can vary the amount of ‘Mexican thyme’ butter that you want to use, so I only mentioned it as a suggestion. For you to get a spicy sauce, you may need to include crushed red pepper flakes while to get a sweet sauce, you include the honey part.

Conclusion

Thyme butter steak is one simple amazing recipe that can turn an average steak and create restaurant-like meals. Juicy beef with added butter that is spiced with herbs results in many tastes – piquant, dense, earthy, creamy – making up the unparalleled flavor for the steak. Here you will find a description of steps on how thyme butter steak can be cooked for any celebration or simply cook it yourself for your own satisfaction. To cook the tasty and juicy steak at home you need the basic components and some of the information.

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