Pan-Seared New York Strip Steak with Herb Butter

A New York strip steak suits fast, high-heat cooking because it has a firm, beefy texture and enough fat to stay juicy when seared. Here it is treated as a classic steakhouse-style pan steak: well dried, seasoned simply and cooked in a very hot cast-iron pan until a dark crust forms. The herb butter gives the rich meat a fresh finish, with parsley, garlic and lemon melting into the sliced steak as it rests on the plate. It is a straightforward dinner that depends on good heat, proper resting and a final hit of acidity rather than complicated ingredients.
Cuisine style American steakhouse-style
Flavor profile Rich • Savory • Herby
Techniques Pan-searing • Resting
Key equipment Cast-iron frying pan • Tongs
Cooking style Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 30 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Deep crust: Dry steak and a very hot cast-iron pan help create strong browning without a long cooking time.
  • Fresh finish: Lemon in the herb butter cuts through the richness of the beef and butter.
  • Fast steakhouse-style result: A short sear, brief rest and simple compound butter keep the method efficient while still feeling polished.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Rest before slicing: Resting the steak for 5 minutes helps the juices settle so the meat stays moist when cut.
  • Serve while warm: Add the herb butter just before serving so it melts over the steak rather than pooling on the board.

Texture tips

  • Build a stronger crust: Pat the steak very dry and avoid moving it during the first few minutes of searing.
  • Keep the centre juicy: Use touch or a thermometer to stop cooking before the steak feels firm; it will continue to settle as it rests.

Common mistakes

  • Pan not hot enough: A lukewarm pan encourages steaming rather than searing, so wait until the cast iron is properly hot before adding the steak.
  • Slicing too soon: Cutting immediately after cooking lets juices run out quickly; a short rest improves the final texture.
  • Taking it too far: Strip steak can become firm if overcooked, so check early if aiming for medium-rare or medium.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose an even steak: A steak of even thickness cooks more predictably and makes it easier to achieve a browned exterior with a tender centre.
  • Use softened butter: Softened butter blends smoothly with the parsley, garlic and lemon, then melts evenly over the hot steak.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
Print
  1. Pat the steaks dry, then season all over with the fine sea salt and black pepper. Leave at room temperature while you make the herb butter.
  2. Finely chop the fresh parsley and crush the garlic to a paste. In a bowl, mix the butter with the parsley, garlic and 1 tsp lemon juice until well combined.
  3. Heat a cast-iron frying pan over medium-high heat until very hot, then add the olive oil and swirl to coat. Lay in the steaks and sear without moving for 2 to 3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms.
  4. Turn the steaks and sear the second side for 2 to 3 minutes. For medium-rare, cook a further 1 to 2 minutes, turning once more if needed, until the steaks feel springy with a little give.
  5. Transfer the steaks to a board and rest for 5 minutes. Slice against the grain, then top with the herb butter so it melts over the warm meat; finish with a squeeze of lemon to taste.

Made this recipe? Rate it — a comment is optional.

Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the best crust, make sure the pan is properly hot and the steaks are very dry before they go in.
  • If you have a thermometer, aim for 52°C (125°F) for medium-rare after resting, or 57°C (135°F) for medium.
  • If serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, cook the steaks to at least 63°C (145°F) and rest for 3 minutes.

Substitutions

  • Replace Fresh parsley with Fresh chives for a milder, oniony herb butter.
  • Replace Lemon with Lime for a sharper, more aromatic finish.
  • Replace Olive oil with Vegetable oil for a higher smoke point sear.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool leftovers quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a frying pan over low heat with a small knob of butter until just warmed through, or enjoy cold slices; avoid overcooking when reheating.

Ratings & reviews

Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.

Tried this recipe?

Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.

If you leave a comment, use 10–500 characters.

Stay inspired

Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.

Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 25min (20min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: American
  • Allergens:
    Milk
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.

Add to meal planner

Equipment you'll need

Advertisement

Recommended tools for this recipe

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel

Got ingredients left?

Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.

Find recipes with these ingredients →

Make this recipe easier next time

Advertisement

These tools help you get better results with less effort.

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel
Best value

Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board

Easy-clean double-sided board
  • Separate surfaces for meat and produce
  • Resists odors and stains
  • Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
Top quality

OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set

Insulated grip bowls
  • Non-slip base
  • Comfort grip
  • Higher price
Best overall

OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set

Practical everyday board set
  • Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
  • Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
  • Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time

Browse alphabetically

Looking for a specific recipe? Choose a letter below to jump directly to recipes starting with that letter or number.

Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?

Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.

Add JustRecipes to Google

Every recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.