The sizzle of tender skirt steak meets golden, garlicky richness in this lightning fast Brazilian inspired dish. It’s perfect for weeknights when time is short but cravings are bold. Using simple ingredients like butter, garlic, and fresh parsley, this recipe delivers bold flavor and elegant presentation with almost no effort.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or feeding the family on a busy evening, this Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak recipe is a guaranteed hit. Pair it with mashed potatoes, rice, or grilled veggies for a well rounded plate that feels like a fine dining experience made right in your kitchen.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 lbs skirt steak
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Salt & pepper to taste
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6 tsp garlic, minced
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6 tbsp butter
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1/2 cup chopped parsley
Directions:
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Cut steak into pieces that fit into your skillet.
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Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
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Heat a large skillet over high heat with a bit of oil until very hot.
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Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or longer if preferred.
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Remove steak from skillet and let it rest on a plate.
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In another skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add minced garlic, stirring constantly with a spatula until golden (do not burn!).
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Immediately remove the garlic butter from heat and transfer to a bowl.
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Slice steak thinly against the grain.
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Drizzle with the golden garlic butter and sprinkle chopped parsley over the top.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
Prep Time: 7 minutes | Cooking Time: 8 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes
Kcal: 467 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak: A Bold, Flavor-Packed Favorite in Under 20 Minutes
When it comes to quick, flavorful, and restaurant-quality meals, few recipes rival the magic of Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak. This dish, often celebrated for its juicy tenderness and rich golden garlic sauce, isn’t just a steak it’s a statement. It tells your family or guests that you’ve mastered the art of maximum flavor with minimal fuss. In a world where weeknight meals often fall victim to repetition or blandness, this dish is a refreshing burst of savory, buttery indulgence grounded in bold Brazilian inspiration.
Let’s take a deep dive into why this dish is capturing the hearts and appetites of home cooks everywhere.
The Brazilian Steak Influence
Brazil is world-famous for its churrasco-style barbecues, where meats are grilled to perfection over open flames and sliced fresh off skewers at the table. Skirt steak, a cut favored for its intense beefy flavor and natural marbling, is commonly used in Brazilian cooking because of its fast cook time and exceptional taste when seared at high heat.
In Brazilian cuisine, simplicity meets quality. There’s often a focus on bold, foundational ingredients meat, garlic, butter, herbs that are cooked with intention rather than over-complication. The Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak captures that essence perfectly. It honors the spirit of churrasco but adapts it for the modern kitchen, replacing charcoal grills with skillets and adding a comforting, French-inspired twist: golden garlic butter.
Why Garlic Butter Works So Well
The pairing of garlic and butter isn’t new it’s a timeless culinary duo that has roots in multiple cuisines around the world. But when it meets a sizzling hot steak, especially one as quick-cooking as skirt steak, the result is transformative. The garlic infuses the butter with a deep, aromatic intensity, while the butter coats each slice of meat in a silky richness that enhances its natural umami.
What sets this recipe apart is the care taken in the garlic butter preparation. The garlic isn’t just sautéed it’s carefully browned until golden, releasing a nutty, roasted flavor that’s mellowed from its raw sharpness. This turns what could be a simple steak topping into a gourmet sauce that you’ll want to drizzle on everything from mashed potatoes to grilled vegetables.
A Perfect Match for Busy Lifestyles
The beauty of the Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak lies not only in its taste but in its efficiency. With a total cook time of just 15 minutes, it’s an ideal solution for busy weeknights, impromptu dinner guests, or even meal prep for the week ahead.
Unlike more time consuming steak dishes that require marinades, oven finishing, or resting periods longer than your attention span, this recipe thrives on simplicity. You season, sear, slice, and serve all in under 20 minutes. And because skirt steak cooks so quickly, it’s easier to avoid overcooking, a common concern for home chefs nervous about preparing beef.
It also uses pantry staples: salt, pepper, butter, garlic, and parsley. No hard-to-find spices or gourmet equipment needed.
Serving Suggestions: What Pairs Well
This steak is rich and indulgent, so it pairs beautifully with lighter sides that offer balance. Here are some ideas to round out your meal:
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Mashed Potatoes or Cauliflower Mash – Creamy textures that complement the savory steak juices.
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Steamed or Roasted Vegetables – Broccoli, green beans, or carrots tossed with olive oil and lemon add brightness.
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Rice or Quinoa – Soaks up the buttery garlic sauce perfectly without overpowering the dish.
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Fresh Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette – A crisp salad with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and vinaigrette adds a refreshing counterpoint.
Want to take it up a notch? Add grilled shrimp for a surf-and-turf twist, or serve the steak over a bed of arugula and cherry tomatoes for a steakhouse-style salad.
Flavor Profile: Why It Works
Flavor-wise, this steak hits all the right notes. The seared crust delivers a smoky char, while the inside stays juicy and tender when cooked properly. The garlic butter brings richness and depth, especially when the garlic is browned just right not raw, not burnt.
The addition of parsley might seem minor, but it brings a necessary freshness that cuts through the richness of the butter. It also adds visual appeal, giving each plate a pop of green vibrance that enhances the dish’s plating potential.
This isn’t a “spicy” steak. It’s not trying to wow you with heat or exotic flavor notes. Instead, it’s built on clean, rich, satisfying tastes beef, butter, garlic that are universally loved and incredibly craveable.
Tips for Perfecting Your Garlic Butter Steak
Here are some expert tips to help make sure your Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak is flawless every time:
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Use High Heat for Searing – This helps develop a flavorful crust without overcooking the inside. Don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if needed.
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Let the Meat Rest – Always allow the steak to rest for a few minutes before slicing to lock in juices.
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Slice Against the Grain – Skirt steak can become chewy if sliced the wrong way. Cutting against the grain ensures tenderness.
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Don’t Burn the Garlic – Garlic can go from golden to bitter in seconds. Stir constantly and remove it from heat as soon as it turns golden.
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Use Real Butter – Don’t substitute with margarine or light spreads. The rich flavor of real butter is key to the sauce’s success.
Health and Nutrition Insights
While steak and butter may not be considered “diet food,” this dish can absolutely fit into a balanced lifestyle. Skirt steak is high in protein, iron, and B vitamins, which are essential for energy, muscle maintenance, and immune health. Garlic is also loaded with antioxidants and has well-documented heart benefits.
For those watching carbs or avoiding processed foods, this recipe is a dream it’s naturally low carb, gluten free, and keto-friendly. You can make it even lighter by using less butter or pairing with low-calorie sides like roasted cauliflower or sautéed spinach.
Who Will Love This Dish?
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Busy parents needing something fast and crowd-pleasing
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Steak lovers looking to elevate their home cooking
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Low-carb eaters wanting protein-rich meals
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Anyone hosting a dinner party and needing a foolproof main course
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Food bloggers and creators looking for visually appealing, easy-to-share recipes
It’s especially great for people who want impressive flavor without investing hours in the kitchen.
Conclusion:
Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak isn’t just another beef dish it’s a revelation in flavor and simplicity. It’s proof that with just a few quality ingredients and a little bit of care, you can create something worthy of a steakhouse right in your own kitchen.
From weeknight warrior to weekend entertainer, this recipe checks all the boxes: fast, delicious, and universally loved. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, it scales effortlessly and adapts beautifully to your personal flavor preferences and side dish selections.
So next time you’re tempted to grab takeout or fall back on something frozen, remember this recipe. Pull out that skillet, grab some garlic and butter, and prepare to wow yourself and anyone lucky enough to be at your table.