How to pan fry a steak

How to pan fry a steak

Restaurateur and chef David Higgs shares his tried and tested way to pan-fry steak at home – restaurant style.

Everyone pan fries a steak in their own way, and this is mine. Use it or don’t use it. But have fun with it. – David Higgs

Serves 2 generous portions, approximately

INGREDIENTS

For the steak 

• A splash of olive oil
• Butter
• Flaky sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper to season
• 250-350 g Steak x 2
• Rib eye, sirloin, rump, filet
• 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed with the back of your knife
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh rosemary

Serving suggestion

• A splash of olive oil
• Rocket
• Parmesan shavings
• Zucchini, thinly sliced
• A lemon wedge

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 200∞C

Season the steaks with salt & pepper

Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan then on a moderate temperature add the butter, as the butter melts and begins to sizzle place the steaks into the pan and fry for about 5 minutes on each side depending on how well-done you prefer your steak. When you turn the steak over, add the garlic, thyme & rosemary into the hot butter.

Using a spoon, pour the hot butter over the steak as it cooks in the pan.

You can finish the steak off in the oven for about 5 minutes or a bit longer if you’d prefer it well done. Remove from the oven & rest the steak for about 10 minutes

To serve, arrange the rocket, parmesan shavings & zucchini onto a dinner plate. Slice the steak and serve.

You can also use this method to cook lamb chops or pork chops.

Print Recipe

How to pan fry a steak

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• For the steak 
• A splash of olive oil
• Butter
• Flaky sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper to season
• 250-350 g Steak x 2
• Rib eye, sirloin, rump, filet
• 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed with the back of your knife
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh rosemary
• Serving suggestion
• A splash of olive oil
• Rocket
• Parmesan shavings
• Zucchini, thinly sliced
• A lemon wedge

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 200∞C

2

Season the steaks with salt & pepper

3

Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan then on a moderate temperature add the butter, as the butter melts and begins to sizzle place the steaks into the pan and fry for about 5 minutes on each side depending on how well-done you prefer your steak. When you turn the steak over, add the garlic, thyme & rosemary into the hot butter.

4

Using a spoon, pour the hot butter over the steak as it cooks in the pan.

5

You can finish the steak off in the oven for about 5 minutes or a bit longer if you’d prefer it well done. Remove from the oven & rest the steak for about 10 minutes

6

To serve, arrange the rocket, parmesan shavings & zucchini onto a dinner plate. Slice the steak and serve.

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Recipe by David Higgs. Adapted from the Food&Home Autumn 2023 issue.

Feature image: Marc Shoul