Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet Recipe
If you’re longing for a dinner that’s rich, satisfying, and wildly flavorful, the Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet is your new weeknight hero. Imagine tender pieces of juicy steak wrapped in a luscious honey garlic butter glaze, all tossed together with colorful veggies and perfectly fluffy rice. It all comes together in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze, and every bite delivers that beautiful balance of savory, sweet, and garlicky goodness. This dish brings the wow factor to your table without any fuss—truly comfort food at its most irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet comes from simple pantry staples and a handful of fresh touches. Each ingredient here is purposeful, infusing the dish with bold flavors, layered textures, and a pop of color that’s as delicious as it is inviting.
- Sirloin steak: Cut into bite-sized pieces, it cooks quickly and soaks up all that decadent sauce.
- Soy sauce: Adds a deep, salty umami to both the marinade and sauce—go for low-sodium if preferred.
- Olive oil: Helps tenderize the steak and aids in browning for those golden, caramelized edges.
- Cornstarch: Creates a crisp coating on the steak, locking in juiciness and giving the sauce a silky finish.
- Unsalted butter: Provides the creamy, rich base of the sauce and deepens the overall flavor.
- Garlic: Four cloves—just enough to make the sauce wonderfully aromatic and robust.
- Honey: Brings gentle sweetness and balances out the savory notes in the glaze.
- Rice vinegar: Offers a subtle tang that brightens the skillet and lifts the sweet and salty elements.
- Sesame oil (optional): Adds a toasty, nutty aroma that really takes the flavor up a notch.
- Cooked white or jasmine rice: Fluffy rice is the perfect canvas to soak up every bit of that glistening sauce; day-old rice works best for stir-frying.
- Diced red bell pepper: Brings color and a gentle crunch for extra freshness in every bite.
- Frozen peas: Sweet pops of green that add texture and balance the rich flavors.
- Green onions: Provides a mild, oniony bite and a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Salt and pepper: To taste—season along the way to fine-tune the flavor just for you.
- Sesame seeds (optional): Sprinkle on top for an eye-catching garnish and nutty crunch.
How to Make Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet
Step 1: Marinate the Steak
Start your journey to flavor bliss by tossing the steak pieces with soy sauce, olive oil, and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Let them mingle while you prep the rest of your ingredients—just 10 to 15 minutes is all that’s needed for the marinade to infuse tenderness and that craveable savory base you want for your Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet.
Step 2: Sear the Steak
Heat up your skillet over medium-high heat and melt a pat of butter until it’s shimmering. Lay out the marinated steak in a single layer and let it sizzle, undisturbed, for 2 to 3 minutes per side. This gives each piece a golden crust and locks in those juicy flavors. Once beautifully browned and cooked through, remove the steak and set it aside for now.
Step 3: Build the Honey Garlic Sauce
Turn the heat to medium and add the remaining butter to the pan. Add the minced garlic, letting it sauté just until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Then pour in the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil (if using). Give it a quick stir and let the sauce bubble away for about a minute, thickening slightly into a glossy glaze.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Rice and Veggies
Add the cooked rice, diced red bell pepper, frozen peas, and sliced green onions straight into your skillet. Stir everything together, making sure the rice is well coated and the veggies are bright and tender. Allow it all to heat through, about 3 to 4 minutes, letting the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Return the steak and any juices back to the skillet and toss until all the savory-sweet sauce hugs every bite. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Let everything get piping hot and fully combined—usually just another 1 to 2 minutes—then get ready to dive in! Your Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet is ready to serve.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet
Garnishes
This dish absolutely shines with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and an extra flourish of fresh, sliced green onions. The sesame seeds add a subtle crunch and a hint of nuttiness, while the green onions deliver color and brightness right before serving. You can even drizzle a touch more sesame oil for an aromatic finish if you really want to impress.
Side Dishes
While the Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet is a complete meal on its own, you can round out your dinner by pairing it with a crisp Asian cucumber salad, some steamed broccoli, or a refreshing slaw. If you’re serving a crowd, warm egg rolls or a simple miso soup on the side will turn this into a feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this skillet into a showpiece by serving it family-style straight from your pan, or pile it high on a big platter for a rustic, inviting look. For meal prepping or lunchboxes, spoon it into individual bowls with a wedge of lime or a side of pickled veggies. You can even wrap the flavorful steak and rice mixture in lettuce cups for a playful, bite-sized appetizer!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), transfer the cooled Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet into an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually develop a bit more as they mingle overnight.
Freezing
This skillet is also quite freezer-friendly. Scoop cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, squeeze out excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze in individual portions for easy reheating on busy days.
Reheating
When you’re ready to relive the magic, gently reheat your leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen things up if the rice looks dry. The microwave works too—cover loosely and heat in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, for the perfect hot lunch.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of steak?
Absolutely! Sirloin is my go-to for tenderness and flavor, but you can swap for ribeye, flank steak, or even tenderloin if that’s what you have on hand—just be sure to slice the meat against the grain for best texture.
What kind of rice works best?
Day-old, cooked white or jasmine rice is ideal for this Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet, since chilled rice won’t clump and will stir-fry up perfectly. In a pinch, freshly cooked rice works too, just spread it out and cool it a bit before adding to your skillet.
How can I add more veggies?
Feel free to toss in extra vegetables like snap peas, broccoli florets, shredded carrots, or even baby corn. It’s a great way to use up what’s in the fridge and make your skillet dinner even more colorful and nutrient-packed.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Just be sure to swap out the soy sauce for tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce alternative, and double check that your other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Definitely! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha when building your sauce for a gentle kick. Feel free to taste and adjust to your spice preference.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet is the kind of meal you’ll crave again and again—so quick to put together and so loaded with flavor that it’s destined to become a regular at your table. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself to something delicious, give this skillet a try and watch it work its sweet, garlicky magic!
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Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet is a delicious and easy one-pan meal that combines tender steak with a flavorful honey garlic sauce, aromatic jasmine rice, and colorful veggies. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 1 pound sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
For the Skillet:
- 2 cups cooked white or jasmine rice
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Steak: In a medium bowl, toss steak pieces with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, olive oil, and cornstarch. Marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- Sear the Steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the steak until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic, then stir in honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Combine Ingredients: Add rice, bell pepper, peas, and green onions. Stir well and heat through.
- Finish the Dish: Return the steak to the skillet, toss everything together, and cook until hot. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Use leftover rice for best texture or chill freshly cooked rice before stir-frying.
- You can substitute the steak with chicken or tofu for a different protein option.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
