If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with bold, buttery garlic flavors and melts in your mouth, you’re going to flip for this Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe. It’s a personal favorite that’s simple yet impressive enough to serve for a weekday dinner or when friends drop by unexpectedly. Once you taste this, you’ll wonder how steak got so much better with just a little garlic butter magic – trust me, it’s fan-freaking-tastic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Rich Flavor: The garlic butter elevates the skirt steak’s natural beefy taste without overpowering it.
- Versatile Serving: Perfect as a simple main or dressed up with your favorite sides for a full meal.
- Impress Without Fuss: This recipe feels special but doesn’t demand fancy ingredients or complicated steps.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe is all about letting simple ingredients shine together. The skirt steak cooks quickly and pairs exceptionally well with the rich, garlicky butter, while fresh parsley adds a bright, herbal finish. When shopping, look for a nice piece of skirt steak with good marbling for tenderness and flavor.
- Skirt steak: Thin and flavorful, it’s a Brazilian staple and cooks fast on the stovetop.
- Salt & pepper: Basic but essential seasonings to bring out the steak’s natural flavor.
- Garlic, minced: Fresh garlic is key — it caramelizes beautifully in butter for that irresistible aroma.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps mellow the garlic, creating a luscious sauce.
- Chopped parsley: Adds color and freshness to balance the richness of the dish.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Make It Your Way
I love making this recipe exactly as written, but feel free to mix it up! I’ve found that a little tweak here and there can suit different moods or occasions without losing that unmistakable garlic butter charm.
- Variation: Sometimes, I add a splash of lime juice into the garlic butter for a zesty kick that complements the beef beautifully.
- Dietary tweak: If you want to skip butter, try olive oil with garlic for a lighter yet delicious alternative.
- Herb twist: Swap parsley for cilantro or basil depending on what’s fresh in your kitchen—it always brightens the dish!
- Spice it up: Adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter brings a gentle heat that wakes up your taste buds.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Steak
First, I cut my skirt steak into manageable pieces that fit snugly into my skillet. Patting the steak dry with paper towels is crucial here—it helps get that perfect sear. Then I season both sides generously with salt and pepper, because a simple seasoning is the best canvas for the garlic butter flavor later on.
Step 2: Sear the Steak
Get your skillet screaming hot over medium-high heat—this is how you get that gorgeous crust. I add a splash of oil, then lay the steak in. It should sizzle right away. Cook the steak about 2 to 3 minutes per side for a beautiful medium-rare. If you want it more done, just adjust timing, but be careful not to overcook this cut! Once seared, place the steak on a plate and let it rest—this step locks in all the juicy goodness.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
While the steak rests, melt butter over low heat in a clean skillet. Then add in minced garlic and stir it gently with a spatula. Watch it closely—the moment it starts to brown and smell intoxicating, remove it from the heat. Garlic can go from fragrant to burnt in seconds, so don’t walk away! I immediately transfer the garlic butter to a bowl to prevent overcooking.
Step 4: Serve with Style
Slice your rested steak against the grain—it keeps the meat tender and easy to chew. Then pour that heavenly garlic butter all over the slices. Sprinkle chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness, and serve immediately while it’s still warm and buttery. You’ll want to dig in right away!
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe
- Pat Steak Dry: Moisture on the meat surface boils instead of sears, so drying properly helps get an amazing crust.
- Control Garlic Cooking: Cook garlic on low heat and remove immediately once golden to avoid bitterness.
- Rest Your Meat: Resting redistributes juices and keeps your steak tender and juicy after cooking.
- Cut Against the Grain: Slicing perpendicular to the muscle fibers ensures your steak won’t be tough or chewy.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about simplicity here—fresh chopped parsley is my go-to garnish because it adds a lively green pop and fresh aroma that balances the rich garlic butter. Sometimes, I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before serving for extra texture and flavor highlight.
Side Dishes
For sides, I love pairing this steak with creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that garlic butter. Grilled veggies like asparagus or bell peppers add a smoky contrast, and a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. If you want a Brazilian vibe, try some farofa or a fresh tomato salsa on the side!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like serving this steak sliced on a wooden cutting board with little bowls of extra garlic butter and chimichurri on the side. It makes for a festive, interactive meal where everyone can pile on the flavors. Adding grilled lemon halves also gives a zesty squeeze that brightens every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers, I wrap the sliced steak tightly in foil or store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The garlic butter keeps the steak moist, but it’s best eaten within 2 days to enjoy optimal freshness and flavor.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dish before by placing the cooled, sliced steak and garlic butter in a freezer-safe bag. To keep the best texture, separate portions before freezing so you only thaw what you need. It’s best enjoyed within 2 months for top quality.
Reheating
Reheating? I gently warm the steak in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it juicy. Then I drizzle a little extra garlic butter over before serving. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can dry out the meat and make it tough.
FAQs
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Can I use other cuts of beef for this Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe?
Absolutely! While skirt steak is traditional and perfect for this recipe because it cooks quickly and is flavorful, flank steak or sirloin strips can also work well. Just be mindful of cooking times—thicker cuts may need a bit longer to reach your preferred doneness.
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How do I avoid burning the garlic in the butter?
Garlic cooks very quickly once it hits warm butter, so keep the heat low and stir constantly. The moment you notice it turning golden, remove the pan from heat immediately to prevent bitterness. Transferring the garlic butter to a bowl right away is my best trick for success.
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Is it okay if I prefer my steak more cooked?
Of course! The recipe timing for 2-3 minutes per side is for medium-rare, but you can cook longer for medium or well-done. Just keep an eye on it so you don’t overcook and dry out the steak, and rest it properly after cooking to retain juices.
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Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?
You can season and cut the steak in advance and store it in the fridge for a few hours before cooking, but I recommend cooking and preparing the garlic butter fresh for the best flavor and texture. Steak tastes best served immediately after resting.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe is one of those dishes that brings a little joy into the everyday. It reminds me of casual dinners with friends where the food is simple but packed with flavor, and everyone ends up asking for seconds. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps come together into something truly special. I’m rooting for you to nail this recipe and enjoy every garlicky, buttery bite!
PrintGarlic Butter Brazilian Steak Recipe
A flavorful Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak recipe that delivers a juicy skirt steak seared to perfection and topped with fragrant garlic butter and fresh parsley, perfect for a quick and delicious dinner.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients
Steak
- 2 lbs skirt steak
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 6 tsp garlic, minced
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the steak: Cut the skirt steak to fit into your skillet. Pat dry thoroughly and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add a small amount of oil if needed to prevent sticking. Place the steak in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting time to your desired doneness. Once cooked, transfer the steak to a plate and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In another skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic and gently stir with a spatula until the garlic starts to brown, being careful not to burn it. Remove the skillet from heat immediately and transfer the garlic butter to a bowl to prevent overcooking.
- Slice and serve: Slice the rested steak thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the sliced steak, sprinkle with the chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the garlic is cooked gently to avoid bitterness from burning.
- Letting the steak rest after cooking helps keep it juicy and tender.
- Cutting against the grain is key for tender slices.
- You can substitute skirt steak for flank steak if preferred.
- Serve with rice, salad, or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
