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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.

Steak dinner with sauteed potatoes, broccoli and a pat of butter

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.

Closeup of a raw top sirloin steak cut one inch thick and seasoned with salt and pepper.

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.

Flipping a steak in a cast iron pan using kitchen tongs

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.

Checking doneness of a steak in a cast iron pan by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest section of the meat. The reading of 130°F indicates medium doneness.

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.

Cross-section view of beefsteak cooked medium with a warm pink center

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

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Slices of beef steak on a carving board

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.

Print
4.31 from 23 votes

Pan-seared Top Sirloin Steak

Easy Sirloin Steak recipe cooked on a stovetop with delicious garlic butter flavors. This top sirloin is seared to perfection in a hot skillet to make tender, juicy and flavorful steak!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 top sirloin steaks, 1 1/2-2 pounds, at least 1 inch thick
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil, or other high-temperature oil, divided (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, or clarified butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 teaspoons)
  • fresh thyme sprigs, or rosemary sprigs (optional)

Instructions 

  • Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes ahead of time for even cooking and more tender meat.
  • Place a large cast iron skillet on high heat for 5-7 minutes until very hot. Turn on your ventilation/exhaust fan.
  • Pat dry the steaks with paper towels. Rub all sides with 1 tablespoon of oil followed by the salt and pepper.
  • Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and swirl to coat. Using kitchen tongs, carefully place the steaks in the hot skillet.
  • Sear for 2 minutes without moving. Then flip and sear the other side for 2 minutes more. Optional: Sear the edges by gripping the steak vertically with the tongs and pressing into the pan.
  • Reduce heat to medium. Add the garlic, butter and optional herbs to the pan. Continue cooking, flipping the steaks every minute or so and spooning pan juices on top to baste the meat.
  • Check doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the center of the steak. I recommend cooking to medium doneness or 140°F (see note).
  • Once the steak is at your desired doneness, remove to a plate or carving board. Tent with aluminum foil and rest undisturbed for 5 minutes.
  • Slice crosswise against the grain to serve and spoon pan juices on top.

Notes

  • Steak: Look for cuts labeled top sirloin. Sirloin cap also works but will cook faster since the pieces are smaller.
  • Oil: Use a high-temperature oil such as canola, sunflower or refined olive oil. Avoid extra virgin olive oil, which will smoke.
  • Doneness: Remove from the pan at 120°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, 145°F for medium-well and 155°F for well-done.
  • Leftovers: You can use leftover sirloin steak to make Steak SandwichesSteak Tacos and Steak Salad.
Nutrition Facts
Pan-seared Top Sirloin Steak
Serving Size
 
8 oz
Amount per Serving
Calories
366
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
30
%
Cholesterol
 
146
mg
49
%
Sodium
 
711
mg
30
%
Potassium
 
776
mg
22
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
50
g
100
%
Vitamin A
 
87
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
66
mg
7
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

Author: TipBuzz
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: sirloin steak, top sirloin, top sirloin steak
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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Pan Seared Sirloin Steak with garlic butter - a delicious and budget-friendly steak dinner you can make with just a few simple ingredients in 20 minutes!
Editor note: Originally published Feb. 27, 2018 and last updated on Sept 18, 2019