Pan-Seared Strip Steaks

4.3
(6)
4 Reviews

What if we told you the secret to the best seared steak is mayonnaise?

By
Marianne Williams
Marianne Williams
Marianne Williams
Marianne Williams is a recipe tester and developer who has been working in the Dotdash Meredith test kitchens since 2016. Her recipes are featured in Food & Wine, Southern Living, Real Simple, Rachael Ray, Health, Cooking Light, and in various other publications and digital platforms.
Southern Living's editorial guidelines
Published on August 16, 2023
Southern Living Pan Seared Strip Steaks
Photo:

Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
2

A good steak marinade recipe is always great to have, but we've found a secret to tender, juicy steaks that doesn't require a long marinade or fancy ingredients: mayonnaise.

Brushing steaks with mayonnaise is an ingenious idea. Because mayonnaise is made of tiny droplets of oil bound together by protein from eggs, it creates a buffer between the heat of the skillet and the seasonings and surface of the meat. The result is tender beef with a gorgeous crust and spices that are toasted just right.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp. flaky sea salt

  • 1 tsp. black pepper

  • 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic

  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder

  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

  • 2 (12-oz. beef strip steaks (1 1/2 inch thick)

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (such as Duke's)

  • 2 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

  1. Combine salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder, cumin, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl; set aside.

  2. Remove steaks from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, and let come to room temperature. Stir together mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix in a small bowl. (Reserve any remaining spice mix for another use.)

  3. Pat steaks dry with a paper towel, and sprinkle both sides evenly with kosher salt. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high until hot. Brush one side of each steak with some of the mayonnaise mixture, and place steaks, mayonnaise mixture sides down, in hot skillet. Brush opposite side of steaks (side facing up) with some of the mayonnaise mixture.

  4. Cook steaks, turning occasionally and spreading with remaining mayonnaise mixture using a butter knife or offset spatula, until medium-rare and deeply browned on both sides, about 12 minutes. Flip steaks, and cook until edges on both sides are seared, about 1 minute. Transfer to a cutting board, and let rest at least 15 minutes before serving.

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