Garlic Butter Steak And Potato Skillet Recipe

Deniz Vergara

19 May 2024 at 1:00 pm·7-min read

steak potato skillet dish - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Steak and potatoes form a quintessential meal that checks the meat and starch boxes. Whether you're a fan of mashed or roasted spuds, it's easy to whip up a savory feast with a few staples. Daily Meal recipe developer Deniz Vergara takes this classic combination in another direction that might just become a new household favorite. Her garlic butter steak and potato skillet recipe features chopped garlicky steak, tater tots, and cheese baked in a skillet. The result is deliciously decadent, with crispy tots coated in gooey cheese to accompany each piece of succulent beef.

"I like how this recipe takes the familiar concept of steak and potatoes but switches up the type of potato," Vergara says. "It's it a fun meal that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!" Indeed, if you're a steak and eggs for breakfast kind of person, this tasty variation will delight your senses. As a bonus, it's ready in half an hour, so there's no need to toil away in the kitchen to satisfy your appetite.

Gather The Ingredients For This Garlic Butter Steak And Potato Skillet Recipe

steak potato skillet ingredients - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

For the marinade, grab avocado oil, sea salt, minced garlic cloves, and garlic powder. Next, you'll need skirt steak, frozen tater tots, salted butter (cut into four cubes), shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced scallions.

Step 1: Combine Oil And Seasoning

mashed seasoned garlic with oil - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the oil, salt, garlic, and garlic powder.

Step 2: Marinate The Steak

steak coated with garlic marinade - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Place the skirt steak into the bowl and coat it in the marinade.

Step 3: Preheat The Oven

oven preheat setting display - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Preheat the oven to 425 F.

Step 4: Prep A Tray With Tater Tots

tater tots on paper lined tray - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and place the tater tots on it in a single layer.

Step 5: Bake The Tater Tots

tater tots baking in oven - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Cook the tater tots according to the package instructions until they are golden and crispy (about 12–14 minutes).

Step 6: Heat A Skillet

skillet heating over burner flame - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat.

Step 7: Sear The Steak

skirt steak searing in cast iron - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Place the steak in the pan and sear on one side for about 3 minutes.

Step 8: Add Butter And Finish Searing

seared steak cooking with butter - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Flip the steak, place the butter on top of the seared side, and cook for another 2 minutes (until it is medium).

Step 9: Transfer The Steak To Rest

cooked steak on cutting board - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Remove from the pan and place on a cutting board to rest for a few minutes.

Step 10: Remove The Tater Tots

baked tater tots on tray - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

When the tater tots are done, remove them from the oven.

Step 11: Cut The Steak

steak cut in small pieces - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Slice the steak into bite-sized pieces.

Step 12: Add Steak, Tater Tots, And Cheese To Skillet

steak potato and cheese skillet - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Place the cut-up steak back into the skillet, top with the cooked tater tots, and then sprinkle the cheese on top.

Step 13: Bake The Skillet

steak and potato skillet baking - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Place the skillet back in the oven for about 3 minutes, just until the cheese has melted.

Step 14: Remove The Skillet

baked steak and potato skillet - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Remove from the oven.

Step 15: Garnish

steak potato skillet with scallions - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Top with scallions.

Step 16: Serve With Condiments Or Toppings

serving steak potato skillet - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Serve immediately with ketchup, hot sauce, or any of your favorite toppings.

Can You Use Another Cut Of Steak In This Skillet Recipe?

steak potato skillet portion - Deniz Vergara/Daily Meal

Skirt steak comes from the cow's belly and features muscles rippling through the meat, giving the cut a pleasantly chewy consistency and plenty of flavor. It's generally on the thinner side, too, which means it quickly absorbs marinade for even more flavor. It tends to be pretty cheap, making it a good option for a comfort food skillet dish. That said, if you can't get skirt steak, Vergara recommends using top sirloin, flank, or strip steak as a substitute. These cuts are fairly lean, offering a similar outcome as to when you use skirt steak.

With plenty of flavor and a tender consistency when cooked right (hot and fast), top sirloin is an easy swap. Meanwhile, since flank steaks are usually thicker, you might want to let the meat sit for longer in the marinade and cook it more. Strip steaks are lean, which makes them a good alternative to skirt steaks for a quick sear.

What Other Mix-Ins Can You Add To This Skillet?

While this garlic butter steak and potato skillet recipe is an obvious winner as is, Vergara points out that "It's such a fun and versatile dish!" Just keep the main ingredients the same but switch up the garnishes to customize the dish for your taste and desires. Vergara offers a few suggestions depending on the time of day: "For breakfast, you can serve this with some sunny side eggs on top and drizzle with hot sauce and ketchup," she says. Sprinkle the top with crunchy bacon bits for the ultimate treat.

Meanwhile, the toppings can also transform the dish to suit certain cuisines. "If you want this to be more of a fun dinner, you can top it with guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream," Vergara recommends. Alternatively, add chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro and parsley, for a vibrant touch, or incorporate them into condiments -- try a chimichurri sauce.