Imagine the sizzle of perfectly seared, tender pieces of steak hitting a hot cast-iron skillet, the rich, earthy aroma of mushrooms browning in rendered beef fat, and the final, decadent swirl of butter, fresh garlic, and herbs that creates a pan sauce so good you’ll want to drink it. This is Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms. It is the epitome of rustic, restaurant-quality elegance that you can achieve in your own kitchen in under 30 minutes. This dish takes the affordable, flavor-packed cut of sirloin tips (or any steak cut into cubes) and transforms them into a juicy, deeply savory masterpiece.
Why Is This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms So Popular?
The widespread adoration for this dish is rooted in its perfect trifecta of speed, flavor, and affordability. First, it is a masterclass in achieving maximum flavor with minimal time and effort. Unlike cooking a whole steak, cutting the meat into tips increases the surface area, which means more delicious, caramelized crust in every single bite. The entire dish comes together in the time it takes to cook a pot of rice, making it a reliable go-to for busy lives that don’t want to sacrifice quality or taste.
Secondly, it offers a textural and flavor symphony that is deeply satisfying. You get the tender, beefy chew of the perfectly cooked steak, the meaty, umami-rich softness of the mushrooms, and the luxurious, aromatic coating of the garlic-herb butter sauce. Each component complements the others, creating a harmonious bite that is far greater than the sum of its parts. The pan sauce, created from the fond (the browned bits left in the pan), is the flavor-packed glue that brings everything together.
Finally, its versatility and impressive presentation make it a crowd-pleaser. It can be served over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, buttery noodles, or with a simple side salad. Despite its simple ingredients and quick cooking time, the final result looks and tastes like it came from a high-end steakhouse, providing a immense sense of accomplishment for the home cook. This combination of practicality, profound flavor, and gourmet appeal is a recipe for guaranteed popularity.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms:
You will love this recipe because it demystifies the process of cooking steak to perfection, providing a foolproof method for a juicy, flavorful result every time. You will love the sensory experience—the sound of the sizzle, the smell of garlic and steak filling your kitchen, and the sight of that beautiful, golden-brown crust forming on the meat. You will appreciate the control you have over the doneness, allowing you to cook the steak tips to your exact preference, from medium-rare to well-done.
But beyond the technical success and incredible flavor, you will love the feeling of creating a truly special meal with such ease. Serving this dish is an act of effortless sophistication. It’s a hearty, protein-packed meal that feels both decadent and approachable. The rich, savory sauce and tender steak are the very definition of comfort food, elevated. It’s a recipe that will make you feel like a weeknight warrior and a master chef all at once, earning you compliments and requests for seconds.
Here’s what you’ll need:
The quality of a few key ingredients, especially the steak and butter, will make a significant difference in the final dish.
The Steak & Marinade/Seasoning:
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1.5 lbs Sirloin Tips, or Sirloin Steak/Ribeye cut into 1.5-inch cubes
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2 tablespoons Olive Oil
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1 tablespoon Soy Sauce (or Worcestershire sauce for a different depth)
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1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
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1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
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Kosher Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
The Mushrooms & Aromatics:
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8 oz Cremini or Baby Bella Mushrooms, halved or quartered if large
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4-5 cloves Fresh Garlic, minced
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2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
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1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
The Garlic Butter Sauce (The Star of the Show):
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3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, cold
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1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
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Optional for richness: 2 tablespoons Heavy Cream or Beef Broth
For Serving:
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Mashed Potatoes, Rice, or Egg Noodles
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms:
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the steps for making this delightful Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms. It’s as easy as pie, and I promise you’ll feel like a culinary superstar!
Step 1: Pat Dry and Season the Steak
This is the most crucial step for a good sear. Use paper towels to pat the steak tips completely dry. Place them in a bowl and toss with the olive oil, soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a very generous amount of black pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while you prep the other ingredients. Do not salt the steak yet, as salt can draw out moisture and prevent browning.
Step 2: Sear the Steak Tips to Perfection
Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until it is very hot, almost smoking. Now, season the steak tips generously with kosher salt right before they go into the pan. Add the steak tips in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded (work in batches if necessary). Let them sear, undisturbed, for 2-3 minutes to form a deep brown crust.
Step 3: Achieve a Beautiful Crust on All Sides
Flip the steak tips and cook for another 2-3 minutes for medium-rare. For more well-done tips, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes per side. Remember, they will cook a little more later. Remove the steak tips to a clean plate and set aside. Do not wipe the pan clean!
Step 4: Sauté the Mushrooms
In the same skillet, with all the delicious browned bits (the fond) and rendered fat, add the mushrooms. They will initially soak up the fat, but then release it as they cook. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are deeply browned, tender, and have released their moisture.
Step 5: Add the Aromatics
Push the mushrooms to the side of the pan. Add the minced garlic and fresh thyme to the cleared space. Cook for just 30-60 seconds until the garlic becomes incredibly fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
Step 6: Create the Luxurious Pan Sauce
Reduce the heat to low. Add the cold butter and lemon juice to the pan. As the butter melts, use a wooden spoon or whisk to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This deglazing process is what creates the incredibly flavorful sauce. If using, add the heavy cream or beef broth at this stage and swirl to combine.
Step 7: Combine and Finish the Dish
Return the steak tips and any accumulated juices on the plate back to the skillet. Toss everything together in the garlic butter sauce to warm the steak through and coat it thoroughly. Stir in the fresh parsley.
Step 8: The Grand Finale – Serve Immediately
Serve the steak tips and mushrooms hot, spooning plenty of the pan sauce over the top. Pair it with your chosen side to soak up every last drop of the incredible sauce.
Tips for Success:
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Pat the Steak Dry: Moisture is the enemy of a good sear. A dry surface is non-negotiable for a caramelized crust.
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Hot Pan, Don’t Crowd: Ensure your pan is screaming hot before adding the steak. Crowding the pan will steam the meat instead of searing it.
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Salt at the Last Second: Salting immediately before cooking helps achieve the best possible crust.
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Use Cold Butter: Adding cold butter at the end helps prevent the sauce from breaking and creates a lightly emulsified, glossy sauce.
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Don’t Overcook the Garlic: Burnt garlic becomes bitter. Add it at the very end of the mushroom cooking process for just a brief, fragrant cook.
Equipment Needed:
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Large Cast Iron Skillet or Heavy-Bottomed Stainless Steel Pan
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Tongs
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Sharp Knife and Cutting Board
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Measuring Spoons
Variations of Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms:
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Creamy Garlic Steak Tips: After making the pan sauce, add ¼ cup of heavy cream and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese for a rich, Alfredo-like sauce.
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Blue Cheese and Steak Tips: Crumble 2-3 tablespoons of strong blue cheese into the pan sauce at the very end for a tangy, robust twist.
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Spicy Cajun Steak Tips: Replace the paprika with a Cajun seasoning blend and add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Garnish with sliced green onions.
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Balsamic Glazed Steak Tips: Add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to the pan when deglazing for a sweet and tangy glaze.
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With Peppers and Onions: Add 1 sliced bell pepper and 1 sliced onion to the pan after the first side of the steak is seared for a steak fajita-style dish.
Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms:
This dish is incredibly versatile. Serve it over:
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Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Creamy Polenta to soak up the sauce.
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Fluffy White Rice or Cauliflower Rice.
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Buttered Egg Noodles for a hearty, comforting meal.
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A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec is the perfect wine pairing.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cooking Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
25 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Please note: This is a general estimate for one serving without sides.)
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Calories: ~450-550
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Protein: 40g
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Sodium: 600mg
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Sugar: 2g
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Fat: 30g
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Carbohydrates: 8g
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Fiber: 1g
FAQs about Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms:
Q: What is the best cut of steak to use for steak tips?
A: Sirloin tips (also called flap meat) are the classic and most affordable choice. Sirloin steak, ribeye, or even tenderloin (filet mignon) are excellent but more expensive options. Avoid very lean cuts like flank or skirt steak for this application, as they are better cooked whole and sliced thinly against the grain.
Q: My steak is tough. What happened?
A: Tough steak is usually due to one of three things: 1) The cut itself was a tougher, leaner muscle. 2) It was overcooked. 3) It was not sliced against the grain. Even when cubed, ensure you are cutting the original piece of meat against the visible grain lines for maximum tenderness.
Q: Can I make this with chicken?
A: Absolutely! Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces. Ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Q: The sauce broke and looks greasy. How can I fix it?
A: If the butter and juices separate, the sauce has “broken.” To fix it, remove the pan from heat and whisk in a teaspoon of cold butter or a splash of cold water or cream. This can often bring it back together.
Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
A: You can cut and season the steak up to 24 hours in advance (keep it covered in the fridge). However, for the best texture and crust, this dish is best cooked and served immediately.
Final Thoughts:
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Mushrooms is more than a recipe; it is a 30-minute passport to a restaurant-quality dining experience. It represents the beautiful efficiency of one-pan cooking, where every ingredient works in harmony to create a dish that is bursting with savory, umami-rich flavor. From the initial sizzle of the steak hitting the pan to the final, decadent swirl of garlic butter, the process is a swift and satisfying culinary journey. So, heat your skillet, grab your tongs, and prepare to make a meal that will become a regular in your dinner rotation. Enjoy every juicy, garlicky, buttery bite
