The perfect marriage of land and sea comes alive in this indulgent surf and turf dish. Tender, juicy filet mignon is panseared in a cast iron skillet with butter, garlic, and thyme until perfectly medium rare, then crowned with a luxurious shrimp and lobster cream sauce.
This recipe is designed for special occasions, romantic dinners, or whenever you’re craving a high-end meal at home. The richness of the seafood pairs beautifully with the savory steak, creating a decadent bite every time. It’s surprisingly approachable, but delivers a restaurant-quality result.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
Steak:
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2 filet mignon steaks (8–10 oz. each, 1 1/2 – 2 inches thick)
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Garlic powder
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Onion powder
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Salt
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Pepper
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1 tbsp olive oil
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2 tbsp unsalted butter
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4 sprigs thyme
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2 garlic cloves
Shrimp & Lobster Cream Sauce:
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2 medium lobster tails, shells removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails off
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All-purpose seasoning (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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8 tbsp unsalted butter
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1/4 cup clam juice
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1/3 cup dry white wine
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1 1/2 cups heavy cream
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp pepper
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Directions:
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Steak: On a cutting board, season steaks generously on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
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Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil, then steaks. Press down and cook for 2 minutes.
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Add butter, garlic cloves, and thyme to the skillet. Cook an additional 3 minutes, then flip steaks and cook 4 minutes more.
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Reduce heat to medium. Spoon butter over steaks as they cook until internal temp is 5°F below your desired doneness.
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Remove steaks and rest for at least 10 minutes.
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Shrimp & Lobster Sauce: In a bowl, season shrimp lightly with all-purpose seasoning.
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In a 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Sear shrimp for 2 minutes on one side, flip and cook 1 minute. Remove and set aside.
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Add 1 tbsp butter to skillet, then lobster pieces. Sauté until pink, around 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
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Add 6 tbsp butter to skillet. Once melted, pour in white wine and clam juice. Simmer.
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Slowly whisk in heavy cream. Stir in seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic/onion powder, smoked paprika). Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes until thickened.
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Return shrimp and lobster to sauce, simmer 1–2 more minutes.
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Spoon sauce over rested steaks and serve hot.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: ~720 kcal per serving | Servings: 2
Steak with Shrimp & Lobster Cream Sauce: The Ultimate Surf & Turf Indulgence
Few meals scream luxury and satisfaction quite like surf and turf. Combining the robust flavor of seared steak with the sweet, succulent notes of seafood creates an unforgettable harmony on the plate. Among the many variations of this iconic pairing, Steak with Shrimp & Lobster Cream Sauce stands as a true showstopper a dish that marries richness, texture, and visual appeal in one elegant creation.
A Classic Elevated
Surf and turf has long been a symbol of indulgence, often reserved for celebrations and special occasions. It’s a concept that originated in North America in the 1960s, typically featuring beef steak and lobster tail served side-by-side. But this version takes it one step further: instead of a divided plate, the shrimp and lobster are folded into a luscious cream sauce and served directly atop the filet mignon. The result? A unified, luxurious flavor profile that blends beautifully from bite to bite.
This style of presentation adds both flavor and elegance. The juices from the butter-basted steak mingle with the savory seafood sauce, creating a harmony of land and sea that elevates the traditional surf and turf to gourmet heights. It’s less a dinner and more an experience one that feels upscale without requiring a white-tablecloth setting.
Why Filet Mignon?
Filet mignon is known for being the most tender cut of beef. It’s taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin and is prized for its buttery texture and subtle flavor. Unlike other cuts such as ribeye or strip steak, filet doesn’t have intense marbling, so it’s often cooked with added fats like butter and oil, or paired with rich sauces like the creamy seafood topping in this recipe to maximize its flavor.
Using filet mignon in this dish allows the delicate cream sauce to shine without being overpowered by the meat. The mild flavor of the filet complements rather than competes with the buttery lobster and shrimp, while its texture melts in your mouth alongside the tender seafood.
The Power of a Cream Sauce
The lobster and shrimp sauce is arguably the heart of this recipe. It brings depth, aroma, and a velvety mouthfeel that balances the seared crust of the steak. What makes this sauce truly stand out is the combination of white wine, clam juice, and heavy cream, which together create a base that’s both tangy and indulgently rich.
The butter adds silkiness, the smoked paprika offers a subtle warmth and color, and the garlic and onion powders lend just the right amount of savory edge. Stirring in chunks of perfectly cooked shrimp and lobster at the end ensures they stay tender and retain their sweetness without becoming rubbery.
This kind of sauce can be used for more than just steak it’s equally stunning over grilled chicken, pasta, or even roasted vegetables. But atop a juicy filet, it reaches its full, luxurious potential.
Best Occasions to Serve
While this dish is approachable enough to make on a weekend evening at home, it truly shines during special moments. Think:
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Anniversaries or birthdays
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Date nights or romantic dinners
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Holiday gatherings (Valentine’s Day, Christmas Eve)
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Impressing dinner guests or in-laws
What sets this apart from other elegant dishes is that it’s completely achievable in a home kitchen with no specialized tools. A simple cast iron skillet, a saucepan, and a thermometer are all you need to make a restaurant-quality entrée.
Pairing Suggestions
A meal this rich deserves thoughtful pairings to round it out.
Wine Pairings:
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White wine lovers will enjoy a buttery Chardonnay or an oaky Viognier, which match the cream sauce beautifully.
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Red wine enthusiasts can go with a Pinot Noir or Merlot lighter reds that won’t overpower the seafood but still stand up to the steak.
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For bubbles, a dry Champagne or Brut Cava can cut through the richness while adding celebratory flair.
Side Dishes:
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Garlic mashed potatoes or buttered herb rice make for comforting and simple starchy bases.
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Light vegetables like asparagus, green beans almondine, or roasted broccolini offer a crisp, fresh contrast.
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For a bold, classic option, serve with creamed spinach or a Caesar salad.
Sauce Extensions:
Want to take it a step further? Stir a little grated Parmesan or lemon zest into the sauce. You can also substitute half the cream with crème fraîche for a slightly tangy finish.
Nutritional Considerations
Let’s be honest this isn’t a “light” dish. But it’s meant to be savored, not devoured quickly. A typical serving can clock in at around 700–800 calories, depending on your portion of sauce and side dishes. However, the protein from the steak and seafood makes it a satisfying meal that keeps you full for hours.
It’s also lower in carbohydrates, making it a solid choice for those following keto or low-carb diets just pair it with greens instead of starchy sides.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
Even though this dish feels fancy, it’s quite beginner-friendly if you follow a few simple rules:
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Don’t overcook your steak. Use an instant-read thermometer for precision. Aim for medium-rare to medium for filet mignon.
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Season seafood lightly. Shrimp and lobster have natural sweetness and delicate flavors. Overseasoning can mask those qualities.
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Let your steak rest. This step is crucial. Cutting into the steak too early lets all the juices run out, drying it.
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Use quality cream and butter. The richness of this dish comes from fat, so better quality equals better flavor.
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Cook seafood separately. Adding raw shrimp and lobster directly to the sauce can result in overcooking. Sear them briefly first, then fold them in right before serving.
Cultural Significance and Modern Appeal
In the modern culinary world, combining elements from land and sea remains a powerful way to showcase contrast and balance. While the traditional steak-and-lobster combo used to be reserved for fine dining or cruise ships, the rise of home cooking during the past few years has brought this gourmet pairing into everyday kitchens.
Food bloggers, TikTok chefs, and Instagram foodies now champion dishes like this for their visual drama and rewarding payoff. The sauce’s silky texture, the glistening seafood, and the deeply seared steak create a social media-worthy plate that tastes even better than it looks.
Conclusion:
Steak with Shrimp & Lobster Cream Sauce is more than just a recipe it’s a culinary celebration. With a perfect balance of textures, a luxurious cream base, and two high-end proteins in harmony, this dish transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable occasion.
Whether you’re preparing it for a romantic night in, a small dinner party, or simply to treat yourself after a long week, this surf and turf fusion guarantees satisfaction on every level. It teaches the beauty of technique without intimidation and proves that fine dining isn’t confined to restaurants.
Serve it with love, savor it slowly, and let each bite remind you that luxury can be found in your own kitchen.