Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter

Enjoy tender and juicy Sirloin Steak with delicious garlic butter flavors! This top sirloin steak is pan-seared to caramelized perfection for a satisfying steak dinner you can easily prepare.

Sirloin is one of the best steaks for everyday cooking! This family-sized cut is tender and flavorful, plus it’s readily available and more affordable than a New York strip or ribeye.

All it needs is simple seasoning and pan searing with some garlic butter. Pair with mashed potatoes, rice, broccoli, sautéed mushrooms or a side salad to make a mouthwatering meal!

What Cut of Beef is Sirloin?

Sirloin steak is a boneless cut coming from the sirloin, which is a subprimal posterior to the short loin where the T-bone and Porterhouse steaks come from.

There are two main parts of the sirloin:

Top sirloin is the most prized with large, juicy steaks that score 7/10 for tenderness. According to the USDA there are 414 calories in a 6-oz serving, which is less than a ribeye.

Bottom sirloin is tougher and includes cuts such as tri-tip and bavette steak, sometimes being labelled simply as sirloin steak. Sirloin tip is an even lesser cut that, in spite of its name, comes from the neighboring round primal.

How to Cook Sirloin Steak

Preparation is easy with a few basic tips. To get the juiciest meat, start by picking a sirloin that’s 1-2 inches thick. Then remove it from the fridge an hour ahead of time to promote even cooking.

When you’re ready to start cooking, place a cast iron pan on high heat for 5-7 minutes until it’s blazing hot (the temperature drops quickly once the steaks go in).

While you’re waiting, pat the steaks with paper towels to remove excess moisture and rub with oil, salt and black pepper.

Add oil to the pan followed by the steaks. Sear for 2 minutes undisturbed, flip and sear 2 minutes more. Reduce the heat to medium high and add the garlic, butter and herbs to the pan.

Continue cooking, flipping every minute for even cooking, until your desired doneness is reached. I recommend cooking sirloin medium-rare or medium, as the meat is lean enough to start drying out when cooked longer. A 1-inch thick steak will take 5-7 minutes to reach medium-rare.

Remove the steak to a plate or cutting board to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes, tented with aluminum foil. This important step allows the juices to redistribute for the most tender meat when serving!

Tips for Cooking the Perfect Sirloin Steak

• Use thicker-cut steak: Choose sirloin steak that is at least 1 inch thick and has good marbling. Look for steaks that are bright red in color and have a firm texture.
• Bring the steak to room temperature before cooking: This ensures that the steak cooks evenly.
• Make sure your skillet is very hot before adding the steak: Heat your skillet to high heat before cooking the steak. This ensures that the steak gets a nice sear on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.
• Cook to the right temperature: Cook the steak to your desired doneness using a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, cook until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. For medium, cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
• Let it rest: After cooking, let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. This ensures that the steak stays juicy and tender.
• Slice against the grain: This is to ensure that it is tender and easy to chew.

Watch Video: How to Cook Sirloin Steak

This short video tutorial shows how to make it:

Steak Temperature and Doneness Guide

The most reliable way to check steak doneness is by measuring the internal temperature of the meat using an instant-read thermometer. For example, it will read 130°F in the pan when it’s medium rare:

Steak Doneness	Remove from heat	Final temperature
Rare: cool red center	120°F (49°C)	125°F (52°C)
Medium rare: warm red center	130°F (54°C)	135°F (56°C)
Medium: warm pink center	140°F (60°C)	145°F (63°C)
Medium well: slight pink center	145°F (63°C)	150°F (66°C)
Well done: little or no pink	155°F (68°C)	160°F (71°C)

The steak temperature keeps rising during resting, so it’ll end up being 5-10°F higher when serving. Note that the USDA recommends 145°F or medium doneness for safety reasons.

How to Tell When Sirloin Steak is Done Cooking?

The best way to tell when a sirloin steak is done cooking is by using a meat thermometer to measure its internal temperature. 

How Long to Cook Sirloin Steak on the Stove

Cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and the desired level of doneness. We recommend cooking a 1-inch thick sirloin steak for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness.

Sirloin Steak Variations

In addition to pan searing, you can also grill sirloin on high heat for 2 minutes per side before reducing the heat and flipping every minute for the remaining time. Alternatively, you can use a reverse sear with thicker steaks.

Another great option is cooking sirloin steak in the oven to benefit from indirect heat. Start with pan searing like in this recipe and then transfer to a 425°F oven to finish cooking. Or you can broil the steak from start to finish in the oven.

There are also some other flavor combinations you can try too:

• Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms to the pan to cook along with the garlic butter.
• Seasonings: I recommend trying Montreal steak seasoning instead of salt and pepper in this recipe. You can also try Cajun seasoning too.
• Marinated Sirloin Steak: You can marinate the steaks for up to 12 hours in the fridge. I recommend using a mix of soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce and garlic.

More Steak Recipes

• Pan Seared Ribeye Steak
• Filet Mignon
• Marinated Flank Steak
• Skirt Steak

View all steak recipes

FAQ

Is Sirloin A Good Cut of Steak?

Yes, sirloin is a nice cut of steak. It’s flavorful and tender when cooked properly. 

Is Sirloin Steak Tender or Tough?

The top sirloin, which is located closer to the short loin, is more tender and flavorful than the bottom sirloin, which is closer to the round and can be tougher. However, both cuts can be tender if cooked properly.

What is the Best Way to Cook Sirloin Steak?

Our favorite way is to pan sear the sirloin steak, which produces tender, juicy, and flavorful steak quickly. You can also bake it, grill it, or sous vide cook sirloin steak. 

Is Sirloin Steak Better than Ribeye?

Sirloin steak is cut from the rear back portion of the cow and is typically leaner than ribeye steak. It has a firmer texture and therefore a more affordable option compared to ribeye.

Ribeye steak is cut from the rib section of the cow and has more marbling than sirloin steak, making it more tender and flavorful. The fat in ribeye also adds richness and juiciness to the steak. 

Can I Bake Sirloin Steak in the Oven?

Yes, you can bake sirloin steak in the oven! Simply season the steak with oil and seasoning, Then bake it in the oven at 400°F for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare.

What Temperature Should I Cook Sirloin Steak in the Oven?

We recommend baking it in the oven at 400°F for a tender and juicy texture. 

How Long to Bake Sirloin Steak in the Oven?

At 400°F, it will take about  5-10 minutes for medium-rare or 10-12 minutes for medium level of doneness.

Do I Need to Marinade Sirloin Steak Before Cooking?

While marinating sirloin steak before cooking is not strictly necessary, it can be a great way to add flavor and tenderness to the meat.

Recipe Tools (affiliate links):

• Cast iron skillet
• Instant-read thermometer
• Kitchen tongs

Editor note: Originally published Feb. 27, 2018 and last updated on Sept 18, 2019