Quick Beef Steak Recipes: 30 Fast and Easy Ways to Cook Steak

Introduction

Steak makes for a satisfying meal any night of the week. While some cuts require long cooking methods to become tender, there are plenty of speedy steak dinners you can make to feed your family in 30 minutes or less. The trick is choosing the right cut of beef and proper techniques for quick cooking.

In this article, we’ll cover how to cook steak quickly in a pan, on the grill, or in the oven. You’ll learn tips for selecting steak and preparations for fast meals. We’ve also included 30 mouthwatering quick beef steak recipes perfect for busy weeknights.

Tips for Cooking Steak Quickly

Choose Naturally Tender Cuts

Steaks like sirloin, strip, ribeye, and tenderloin cook quickly since they come from less exercised parts of the cow.

Go for Thin Steaks or Cut Thick Steaks into Strips

Thinner steaks require less time to cook through. Slice thick steaks against the grain for quick grilling or pan searing.

Use Very High Heat

Get your pan, grill, or broiler very hot before adding steak to quickly sear the outside.

Pat Steaks Dry Before Cooking

Blotting excess moisture helps the steak caramelize instead of steam.

Flip Steaks Just Once

Flipping too much can lead to dry, overcooked steaks. Cook each side 3-5 minutes, then rest.

Let Steak Rest Afterwards

Resting seals in juices and allows the temperature to equalize for tender, juicy steak.

30 Quick and Easy Beef Steak Recipes

1. Black Pepper Crusted Flank Steak

Coat flank steak with coarse cracked black peppercorns before grilling to form a spicy crusted exterior.

2. Soy Ginger Flank Steak Stir Fry

Slice grilled flank steak and stir fry with soy sauce, ginger, and veggies for a quick protein-packed meal.

3. Filet Mignon with Balsamic Glaze

Grilled filet mignon steaks finished with a glossy, sweet balsamic reduction are impressive yet easy.

4. Skirt Steak Fajitas

The thin cut of fajita-ready skirt steak sears up fast. Serve sizzling with peppers and onions in tortillas.

5. Strip Steak Salad with Blue Cheese

Quickly char grill sliced strip steak and serve over mixed greens dressed in tangy blue cheese vinaigrette.

6. Thai Steak Wraps

Sirloin steak strips get a Thai twist when stir fried with peanut sauce and wrapped in fresh lettuce cups.

7. Steak and Vegetable Foil Packs

Assemble sirloin steak strips with veggies in foil packets and grill for easy one-pan meals.

8. Open Faced Steak Sandwiches

Quickly broil or pan sear seasoned steak slices and serve on thick toasted bread with melted cheese.

9. Southwestern Steak Salad

Top greens with spicy chili rubbed grilled steak, corn, black beans, avocado, and tortilla chips for taco flavor.

10. Easy Beef Stir Fry

Sear sirloin steak strips, slice thinly, then stir fry with frozen veggies and teriyaki sauce for fast weeknight meals.

11. Pan Seared Strip Steaks with Mushroom Gravy

Pan sear juicy strip steaks, then make an easy mushroom gravy in the same skillet for classic steakhouse flavor.

12. Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Thinly sliced steak gets piled high with sautéed peppers, onions, and melted cheese sauce on a hoagie roll.

13. Skirt Steak Tacos

Quickly sear marinated skirt steak, slice, and tuck into warm corn tortillas with all the toppings.

14. Petite Filet with Roasted Potatoes

Buy petite filets and small potatoes to cook them simultaneously in one pan for a complete fast meal.

15. Orange Steak Stir Fry

Sirloin steak strips get a tangy twist when stir fried with orange juice, zest, soy sauce, ginger and veggies.

16. Sesame Crusted Sirloin

Coat sirloin steaks with toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds before pan searing for gorgeous, fast flavor.

17. Steak Cobb Salad

Turn leftover grilled steak into a hearty main dish salad loaded with egg, bacon, avocado, veggies, and blue cheese.

18. Steak Breakfast Burrito

Chopped steak, eggs, peppers, onions, and cheese wrapped in a tortilla makes the ultimate grab-and-go breakfast.

19. Skillet Filet Mignon with Mushrooms

Buttery sautéed mushrooms enhance juicy pan seared filets for a restaurant worthy dinner.

20. Thai Steak Salad

Grill steak strips, slice thinly, and toss over salad greens with peanut dressing, mango, and mint for bright flavors.

21. Steak Sandwich with Caramelized Onions

Griddle sliced steak and sweet onions in butter for an easy French Dip style sandwich.

22. Skirt Steak Chimichurri

Argentinean herb sauce chimichurri adds huge flavor to quickly grilled skirt steak.

23. Sirloin Steak Caesar Salad

Char grill sirloin steak strips and serve sliced atop crisp romaine lettuce with creamy Caesar dressing and crunchy croutons.

24. Strip Steak with Blue Cheese Sauce

Broiled strip steaks are smothered in a quick creamy blue cheese sauce for restaurant elegance.

25. Cowboy Steak with Southwest Salsa

Big, bold ribeye or strip steaks get a smoky char before topping with fresh pico de gallo salsa.

26. Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers

Fill bell peppers with sliced steak, melty cheese, onions and peppers for a fun play on cheesesteak flavor.

27. Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Parsley chimichurri sauce adds huge flavor to quickly seared outside skirt steak.

28. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Sear sirloin strips, slice thin, then stir fry with prepped broccoli florets and teriyaki for fast weeknight meals.

29. Open Faced Flank Steak Sandwiches

Broil marinated flank steak slices and serve atop garlicky toast for easy French Dip style sandwiches.

30. Strip Steak with Red Wine Sauce

Pan seared strip steaks are served with a luscious red wine shallot sauce for sophisticated flavor in minutes.

Tips for Quick Steak Success

Follow these tips when cooking speedy steak dinners:

• Bring steaks to room temp before cooking
• Pat steaks very dry before searing
• Use high heat to quickly brown outside
• Flip just once during cooking
• Don't cook past medium doneness
• Allow steak to rest 5+ minutes before serving

Conclusion

With the right techniques and recipes, you can enjoy perfectly cooked steak any night of the week in 30 minutes or less. Choose naturally tender cuts, slice thinly, use high dry heat, resist the urge to flip constantly, and don't overcook. Feel free to get creative with marinades, spices, sauces and sides while still keeping the cooking method fast. These quick beef steak recipes will become regulars in your weeknight dinner rotation.

FAQs

What is the fastest way to cook steak?

The fastest way to cook steak is grilling or pan searing over very high heat. Cook the steak undisturbed for 2-5 minutes per side until browned.

What cuts of steak cook the quickest?

Tender cuts like ribeye, strip, tenderloin, sirloin, flank, skirt, and flat iron cook the quickest since they come from less exercised parts of the cow.

Is flank steak good for quick meals?

Yes, flank steak is perfect for quick cooking. Slice it thinly across the grain before searing quickly in a pan or on the grill.

What steak can I cook from frozen?

It's best not to cook steaks straight from frozen for quick meals, as the inside won’t cook at the same rate as the outside. Defrost first.

Should steak be room temperature before cooking?

Letting steak come closer to room temp before cooking helps it cook more evenly. Sit steaks out 20-30 minutes before cooking if possible.