Grilled Steak with Garlic Butter
We grill all summer long, and for those special occasions when the whole family gathers, I often select beef tenderloin steaks to toss on the barbecue. Wrapped in bacon and topped with garlic herb butter, this exquisite Grilled Steak with Garlic Butter will become your go-to recipe for company.
Plus, scroll down to see my Tips for Grilling the Perfect Steak. A grilled steak with butter will change your BBQ routine!
Why You Should Make this Steak
My youngest was home from college for the summer, and when I ask what he’d like for dinner, he invariably answered “steak” with a sheepish grin. So since his time at home is limited, I’ve indulged him on more than one occasion. His carnivore father has no complaints, either, especially when I prepare this family favorite, grilled tenderloin with garlic herb butter.
The flavor imparted by wrapping bacon around the steaks, plus topping with garlic butter and herbs push the flavor of these divine fillets over the top. Plus, it’s such an easy way to jazz up a simple grilled steak.
And for Father’s Day, I’m going to swap out the tenderloin for another cut of beef–I can’t think of a one that wouldn’t be amazing smothered in garlic butter! Flank steak or rib eyes are at the top of the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Grill a Perfect Steak?
Buy the best beef you can afford. Good marbling (fat distribution) makes for a tender, juicy steak. If it’s in your budget, buy prime beef as it’s higher quality.
Bring your beef out of the refrigerator about an hour before grilling to get the chill off. Then use a meat thermometer so you cook your steak to your desired doneness. Finally, let your steak rest, covered with foil for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
What Are the Degrees of Doneness for Steaks?
Pull the beef off when it’s 5-10 degrees less than your goal temperature. The residual heat will continue cooking the meat.
- Rare is 125° with a cool red center (pull it off at 115-120°)
- Medium Rare is 135° with a warm red center
- Medium is 140° with a warm pink center
- Medium Well is 150° with a slightly pink center
- Well Done is 160 ° with little to no pink in the center
Select the Best Cut and Season Properly
- The cut of steak is important, too. My husband prefers rib-eyes and New York strips. Although I love a great fillet, the leanness of this cut is not always ideal for grilling unless you select a brand that’s known for marbling. Plus look for a recipe that adds some needed fat. Wrapping your fillet in bacon and finishing with garlic butter will do the trick.
- Season early. I like the first salting up to 3 hours before grilling, then again right before cooking. I prefer to use kosher salt over table salt.
Steak Grilling Tips
- Bring your steaks out of the fridge about 1/2 hour before grilling so they don’t go on the grill cold. This allows for more even cooking.
- Use charcoal if available and make a hot fire. The smokiness from the charcoal adds wonderful flavoring
- Move only 2-4 times during the cooking process, twice if just flipping but twice per side to make cross-hatch marks.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. My husband and sons prefer a very rare steak, but I’d rather have mine a little more well done.
Let the Steak Rest
- Allow the beef to rest at least 5 minutes before serving. Just cover the serving platter with foil and finish getting all the other dishes to the table.
- This additional time gives the meat juices a bit of time to redistribute. Topping the steaks with garlic herb butter also gives the delicious richness of fat and flavor from the herbs and garlic.
More Terrific Grilled Beef Recipes
- Balsamic Burgers by Life Tastes Good
- Caprese Grilled Filet Mignon by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Skillet Filet Mignon
- Korean Grilled Beef Steaks
- Beef Teriyaki Kabobs
- BLT Burgers
- Easy Grilled Flank Steak
- How to Grill a Perfect Steak
- More Beef Recipes
How do you like your beef cooked? I’m a medium-rare girl, but the guys in the family love very rare beef! Let me know in the comments.
This post was originally shared in June 2015. Photos and text were updated in 2019.
Grilled Tenderloin with Garlic Herb Butter
A company worthy grilled steak recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 8-ounce beef tenderloin steaks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup (one stick) butter
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 4 slices good-quality bacon
- ¼ cup oregano, chopped
- ¼ cup basil, chopped
- 1½ teaspoons Cognac, optional
Instructions
- A few hours before grilling, sprinkle steaks with kosher salt and return to refrigerator. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add the garlic, then remove from heat. Set aside for a couple hours.
- A half hour before grilling, remove steaks from the refrigerator, re-season with salt and add a bit of freshly ground pepper to taste. Grill to desired internal temperature, about 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Rewarm the garlic butter, and add Cognac if desired.
- Plate steaks. Drizzle with garlic butter, then sprinkle with herbs.
Notes
Cooking time varies depending on how thick and how well done you like your beef cooked
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 810Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 204mgSodium: 399mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 59g
39 Comments on “Grilled Steak with Garlic Butter”
My family would love me if I cooked these tenderloins for them.
My goodness, that beef is perfectly grilled! Mine never comes out quite so pretty!
Now that is a perfectly cooked steak!! Pass the beef!
This tenderloin may just be the yummiest thing I have seen in a LONG TIME. I love me a good piece of grilled steak, and then with that herb butter? YES please! Pinned!
Succulent! We’re pretty sure the sheepish smile turned into a hearty smile from the young man xx
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
You have my mouth watering with this post. Beef tenderloin is one of my favorite cuts of beef. This sounds delicious.
This looks like total steak perfection!
You had me at garlic herb butter! 😉 My dad would love this tenderloin for Father’s Day!
Hi Liz, my husband could eat steak moist every night if he could, this looks perfectly grilled.
O.K. so maybe this tenderloin with the twice baked potato for supper? 🙂 Delicious combination I would imagine. What a perfectly cooked steak!
Your tenderloin looks insanely delicious. And those tips are excellent! I always overcook mine.
Wrapped in bacon and grilled sounds wonderful! Looks delicious too!
My brother is the same way, and my mom loves cooking meat for him 🙂 what a lovely way to show care and love, Liz!
You can’t go wrong with garlic herb butter on a steak!
These are just gorgeous. I am craving steak and asparagus now and that garlic herb butter would just bring out all the delicious flavors! Yum!
I love me a good piece of tenderloin. And I love your tips for a perfect steak. So handy and helpful!
Absolutely perfectly grilled filets. Wow. I’m craving one and it’s before breakfast. Maybe steak and eggs?
This is my idea of a celebration meal too. That looks perfectly cooked – just the way I like it.
Tenderloins were on sale last week and now I’m kinda regretting not getting one… Happy Father’s Day to Bill-enjoy:@)
They look very very tender!