This garlic butter Brazilian steak is a quick and luxurious dish that makes any meal feel special. Perfect for date nights, family dinners, or even a casual gathering with friends, this recipe combines the richness of garlic butter with tender skirt steak to create a mouthwatering experience. With just 15 minutes from prep to plate, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable flavor that rivals your favorite steakhouse.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: Ready in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Rich Flavor: The garlic butter sauce adds a depth of flavor that enhances the steak beautifully.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it with sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Restaurant-Quality Meal: Impress guests with a gourmet dish that’s easy to make at home.
- Minimal Ingredients: Simple ingredients ensure you can whip this up without a trip to the store.
Tools and Preparation
Before you dive into cooking your garlic butter Brazilian steak, gather your tools. Having everything ready will make the process smooth and enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Heavy-duty skillet (12-inch)
- Small skillet (8-inch)
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Heavy-duty skillet: Ideal for achieving a perfect sear on the steak while maintaining high heat.
- Chef’s knife: A sharp knife is crucial for easily cutting through garlic and slicing the cooked steak.
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 6 medium cloves garlic
- Kosher salt
- 1.5 lb skirt steak (trimmed and cut into 4 pieces)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola oil (or vegetable oil)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 oz unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped)

How to Make Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic
Peel the garlic cloves and smash them with the side of a chef’s knife. Sprinkle lightly with salt and mince them finely to release their flavor.
Step 2: Season and Cook the Steak
Pat the skirt steak dry using paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. In your heavy-duty skillet, heat canola oil over medium-high until it shimmers. Add the steak and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a plate to rest while you make the garlic butter.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In your small skillet, melt unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook slowly, swirling frequently until lightly golden—this should take about 4 minutes. Season lightly with salt to taste.
Step 4: Serve Your Dish
Slice the rested steak as desired. Place slices onto plates and drizzle generously with garlic butter. Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley on top for garnish before serving hot.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
Garlic butter Brazilian steak is a delicious dish that can be served in various ways. Here are some creative serving suggestions to elevate your meal and impress your guests.
Plated with Fresh Vegetables
- Grilled Asparagus: Lightly season asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill until tender. This adds a fresh, crunchy element to your steak.
- Steamed Broccoli: Serve steamed broccoli drizzled with lemon juice for a refreshing contrast to the rich garlic butter flavor.
Accompanied by Starches
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Whip up some buttery mashed potatoes for a classic pairing that absorbs the delicious garlic butter sauce.
- Cilantro Lime Rice: This zesty rice dish complements the flavors of the steak beautifully, adding a bright note to your plate.
On Rustic Bread
- Garlic Bread Slices: Toast slices of rustic bread topped with garlic butter for a savory side that can soak up any extra sauce from the steak.
- Crostini: Top toasted crostini with minced parsley and a drizzle of garlic butter for an elegant appetizer or side.
How to Perfect Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
To achieve the best results with your garlic butter Brazilian steak, consider these helpful tips.
- Bold seasoning: Generously season both sides of the steak with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper before cooking to enhance the flavor.
- Resting period: Allow the steak to rest after cooking; this helps retain its juices for a more tender bite.
- High heat cooking: Use medium-high heat when searing the steak to achieve a beautiful caramelized crust while keeping it juicy inside.
- Butter timing: Add garlic to melted butter at low heat; this prevents burning and allows for maximum flavor infusion.
- Slice against the grain: When cutting the steak, slice against the grain for more tender pieces that are easier to chew.
- Garnish creatively: Finish with fresh parsley or other herbs for added color and aroma.

Best Side Dishes for Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
Pairing your garlic butter Brazilian steak with complementary side dishes enhances the overall dining experience. Here are some perfect options:
- Roasted Potatoes: Crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, these seasoned potatoes are an excellent companion that soaks up garlic butter flavors.
- Caesar Salad: A classic Caesar salad adds crunch and creaminess that balances well with the richness of the steak.
- Coleslaw: Fresh coleslaw provides a tangy contrast, cutting through the richness of the dish while adding texture.
- Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled corn brushed with garlic butter makes a delightful pairing that echoes flavors from the main dish.
- Quinoa Salad: A light quinoa salad mixed with vegetables offers a nutritious option that complements without overwhelming.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers: Colorful bell peppers stuffed with rice or quinoa introduce sweetness and additional flavor layers to your meal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making garlic butter Brazilian steak, a few common mistakes can affect your dish’s flavor and texture. Here are some tips to help you avoid them:
- Skipping the resting period: After cooking, always let the steak rest. This allows the juices to redistribute, giving you a juicier bite.
- Overcrowding the pan: If you add too much steak at once, it will steam instead of sear. Cook in batches if necessary to achieve that perfect crust.
- Not seasoning enough: Generously seasoning with salt and pepper is key for flavor. Don’t be shy; a well-seasoned steak is a delicious steak.
- Using low-quality ingredients: Opt for fresh garlic and high-quality butter. The better your ingredients, the better your garlic butter Brazilian steak will taste.
- Ignoring doneness levels: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Aim for 130°F for medium-rare to ensure tenderness without losing moisture.
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftover garlic butter Brazilian steak in an airtight container.
- It can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
- Wrap the steak tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing it in a freezer-safe bag.
- You can freeze it for up to 3 months for optimal freshness.
Reheating Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the steak on a baking sheet and cover it with foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave: Place the steak on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in short intervals of 30 seconds until warm but not overcooked.
- Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add a bit of oil or butter. Warm the steak for about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is garlic butter Brazilian steak?
Garlic butter Brazilian steak is a flavorful dish featuring tender skirt steak topped with a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s quick to make and packed with savory goodness.
How should I serve garlic butter Brazilian steak?
Serve this dish alongside your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes, and garnish with fresh parsley for added color.
Can I customize my garlic butter?
Absolutely! Feel free to add herbs like thyme or rosemary to your garlic butter for extra flavor. You can also use different types of meat if you prefer something other than skirt steak.
How do I know when my steak is done?
Using an instant-read thermometer is best. For medium-rare, look for an internal temperature of around 130°F (54°C).
Final Thoughts
This garlic butter Brazilian steak recipe is not only quick to prepare but also incredibly versatile. Enjoy it as-is or customize it with your favorite herbs and sides. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or impressing guests, this dish is sure to delight everyone at the table—so give it a try!

Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
Indulge in the rich flavors of Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak, a gourmet dish that elevates any meal to a special occasion. This quick and luxurious recipe showcases tender skirt steak seared to perfection and drizzled with a velvety garlic butter sauce.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
- 6 medium cloves garlic
- 1.5 lb skirt steak (trimmed and cut into 4 pieces)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 oz unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Peel and smash the garlic cloves with a chef’s knife, then mince finely.
- Pat the skirt steak dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat canola oil in a heavy-duty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the steak for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side for medium rare, then transfer to a plate to rest.
- In a small skillet, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 4 minutes.
- Slice the rested steak and drizzle with garlic butter before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of steak (approximately 170g)
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 94mg
Keywords: For additional flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to the garlic butter. If you're short on time, pre-mince your garlic or use garlic paste.