Garlic Butter Steak and Asparagus Skillet

My Favorite Easy Steak Dinner

Let’s talk about a quick family dinner. This is my one pan cast iron meal. You get juicy steak bites with asparagus all together. Doesn’t that sound good?

I love this garlic butter tri-tip steak. It feels fancy but is so simple. I still laugh at that. My grandson calls it “restaurant food.” That makes my heart happy. Cooking should bring joy, not stress.

The Magic of One Pan

Why this matters? Fewer dishes! That’s the real secret. A one pan cast iron meal means more time with family. You just use your big skillet.

The cast iron skillet recipe is key. It gets nice and hot. That gives the steak a beautiful brown crust. Everything cooks in the same pan. The flavors all become friends. What’s your favorite one-pan meal? Tell me in the comments.

All About That Tri-Tip

This tri-tip steak recipe is a gem. Tri-tip is flavorful and tender. It won’t cost too much either. You just cut it into little pieces. That’s how you get perfect steak bites.

*Fun fact*: Tri-tip comes from the bottom of the sirloin. It’s a popular cut in California. I learned that from my butcher years ago. Now, always slice it “against the grain.” Look for the lines in the meat. Cut across them. This makes each bite extra tender.

Butter, Garlic, and a Little Green

Now for the best part. The garlic butter steak bites. You cook the steak and asparagus first. Then you add butter, shallot, and garlic. Oh, the smell is amazing. It fills the whole kitchen.

The steak and asparagus combo is classic. The asparagus gets a little crispy. It soaks up that garlic butter. A squeeze of lemon at the end is magic. It makes all the flavors pop. Do you prefer asparagus or another veggie with your steak?

Why This Meal Matters

Here is another “why this matters.” A good meal brings people to the table. This easy steak dinner does that. It feels special. You made it with your own hands.

I remember teaching my daughter how to cook tri-tip. She was so proud to serve it. That memory is sweeter than any dessert. Food is love, you know. What’s a meal that makes you feel loved? I’d love to hear your story.

Ingredients:

Instructions

Step 1: Let your tri-tip steak sit out for 15 minutes. This helps it cook evenly. Then, slice it into bite-sized pieces. Season them well with salt and pepper. I always give the bowl a little shake.

Step 2: Snap the tough ends off your asparagus. Cut the good parts into thirds. Now, heat oil in your cast iron skillet. (Wait until the oil shimmers before adding food!) Add your garlic butter tri-tip steak bites. Cook until they look yummy and brown.

Step 3: Take the steak bites out. Put the asparagus in the same pan. Cook it for about 5 minutes. Doesn’t that smell amazing? How do you know your asparagus is done? Share below! It should be bright green and tender.

Step 4: Put the steak and asparagus back together. Add butter, shallot, and garlic. Oh, the sizzle is the best part! Cook just until it’s fragrant. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This easy steak dinner is ready to serve.

Creative Twists

Serving & Pairing Ideas

This steak and asparagus meal is perfect over fluffy mashed potatoes. The potatoes soak up that delicious garlic butter sauce. You can also serve it with a simple side salad. A crusty piece of bread is great for cleaning your plate, too. Which would you choose tonight?

Making Your Delicious Dinner Last

Let’s talk about keeping your garlic butter tri-tip steak tasty. Store cooled leftovers in a sealed container. They will be good in the fridge for three days. You can also freeze them for up to three months.

I remember my first time batch-cooking this steak and asparagus. I made a double portion for my grandson’s visit. We reheated it in a skillet the next day. It was just as juicy and wonderful.

Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water. This keeps your steak bites with asparagus from drying out. Batch cooking like this saves you time on busy nights. It means a quick family dinner is always ready for you.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

Even grandmas run into little problems while cooking. Here are three easy fixes. First, if your pan is too crowded, your food steams. Cook in two batches for a better sear on that tri-tip steak.

Second, if your garlic burns, it turns bitter. I once added mine too early. Now I add garlic and butter at the very end. This makes your garlic butter steak bites fragrant and perfect.

Third, tough asparagus is no fun. Snap the woody ends off instead of cutting. It naturally breaks where the tender part begins. Getting these steps right builds your cooking confidence. It also makes sure every bite is full of flavor.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

How to make garlic butter steak and asparagus in one pan?

This one pan cast iron meal is simple. Cook your seasoned steak bites first. Remove them, then cook the asparagus in the same pan. Finally, add everything back with butter, garlic, and shallot. Toss it all together for a fast, flavorful dish. This method makes cleanup a breeze and lets all the delicious flavors mix.

What are the best cuts of steak for a skillet recipe?

For this easy steak dinner, you want tender, quick-cooking cuts. Tri-tip is fantastic for this tri-tip steak recipe. Sirloin or ribeye cut into bites also work beautifully. These cuts sear quickly in your hot cast iron skillet. They stay juicy and soak up the garlic butter sauce perfectly.

Can I use frozen asparagus for this dish?

You can use frozen asparagus in a pinch. Thaw it completely and pat it very dry first. Wet asparagus will steam instead of getting tender-crisp. Fresh is often better for texture, but frozen works. It’s a handy shortcut for your quick family dinner on a busy weeknight.

What sides go well with steak and asparagus skillet?

This steak and asparagus dish is quite hearty. I love it with fluffy mashed potatoes or rice. A simple crusty bread is nice for soaking up the sauce. A light green salad with a lemon dressing also pairs well. It adds a fresh crunch to balance the rich, savory steak bites.

How to cook steak and asparagus to perfect doneness?

Learning how to cook tri-tip right takes practice. For medium-rare steak bites, cook 3-4 minutes total. Cook asparagus for about 5 minutes until bright green and tender. The best tip is to not overcrowd your pan. This cast iron skillet recipe works best when each piece has space to brown.

Can I make this recipe with chicken instead of steak?

Absolutely! Chicken breast or thighs work wonderfully here. Cut them into bite-sized pieces just like the steak. Cook the chicken through first, then follow the same steps. You’ll still get a delicious one-pan meal with garlic butter sauce. It’s a great way to mix up your weekly dinner plan.

*Fun fact: A hot cast iron skillet creates a beautiful sear because it holds heat so well.*

Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this easy steak dinner as much as my family does. There is joy in creating a simple, delicious meal. Sharing food is one of life’s greatest comforts.

I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Tell me how it turned out in your own kitchen.

Have you tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy cooking!
—Danielle Monroe

Garlic Butter Steak and Asparagus Skillet

Author: Danielle Monroe Cooking Method:Stovetop Skillet Cuisine:American Courses:Dinner Main

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 15 minutesRest time: 20 minutesTotal time: 50 minutesServings:4 servingsCalories:513 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

One Pan Garlic Tri-Tip Steak Bites with Asparagus

Ingredients

• 2.5 pound tri-tip steak
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 bunch asparagus
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

1. Allow tri tip steak to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before slicing (if you have time).
2. Prepare Tri Tip by cutting against the grain into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper on all sides.
3. Prepare asparagus by removing and discarding woody bottom then cutting remaining stalk into thirds. Set aside.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add in 2 tablespoons avocado oil. When oil is shimmering and moves freely in the pan add in the steak bites and cook for 3-5 minutes, until desired doneness, brown on all sides.
5. Remove the steak bites from the skillet, pour in remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and add asparagus to the same pan. Saute asparagus until tender, stirring frequently to prevent burning. This will take about 5 minutes.
6. Add the steak bites and asparagus back to the pan. Add the butter, shallot and garlic to skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Squeeze juice of ½ lemon over the skillet and serve warm.

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate. For added flavor, you can garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.

Keywords:Steak, Asparagus, Tri-Tip, Skillet, Garlic Butter