Name: Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb steak (ribeye, sirloin, or your choice), cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup long-grain white rice; 2 cups beef broth; 3 tablespoons butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup honey; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)

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A quick, delicious one-pan dish featuring tender steak, perfectly cooked rice, and a savory honey garlic butter sauce that brings everything together for an irresistible meal.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution. In just 35 minutes, you'll have a complete meal that combines protein, carbs, and incredible flavor in one pan. The combination of savory steak, fluffy rice, and that irresistible honey garlic butter sauce creates a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort. It's perfect for busy families who don't want to compromise on taste, and the cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks in a single skillet.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Steak is the star protein in this dish, providing rich flavor and satisfying texture. You can use ribeye for maximum tenderness and marbling, sirloin for a leaner option with great flavor, or even strip steak—choose what fits your preference and budget.

Olive oil helps create that perfect sear on the steak pieces without sticking to the pan, adding a subtle fruitiness to the dish.

Long-grain white rice forms the hearty base of this meal. It cooks up fluffy and separate, perfect for absorbing all the delicious sauce flavors without becoming mushy.

Beef broth infuses the rice with savory depth as it cooks, eliminating the need for plain water and building layers of flavor from the ground up.

Butter creates the silky base for our sauce, adding richness and a velvety mouthfeel that coats every grain of rice and piece of steak.

Garlic provides that aromatic foundation that makes this dish irresistible. When sautéed in butter, it releases its essential oils, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.

Honey brings natural sweetness that balances the savory elements and helps create that glossy, slightly sticky texture that makes the sauce cling to every bite.

Soy sauce adds umami depth and saltiness, enhancing the beef flavor while providing that perfect savory counterpoint to the honey's sweetness.

Ground ginger gives a warm, spicy note that complements both the steak and the sweet-savory sauce, adding complexity without overwhelming heat.

Green onions finish the dish with a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color, adding both visual appeal and a bright contrast to the rich sauce.

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until browned on all sides, then remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the rice and beef broth. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the rice cook for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
While the rice cooks, melt butter in a separate small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add honey, soy sauce, and ground ginger to the butter and garlic. Stir to combine and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Once the rice is done, add the cooked steak back into the skillet. Pour the honey garlic butter sauce over the steak and rice mixture. Stir to combine, making sure the steak and rice are evenly coated with the sauce.
Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 4 generous servings, making it perfect for a family dinner. Each serving contains approximately 450 calories, offering a balanced meal with protein and carbohydrates. The entire dish comes together in just 35 minutes—10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time—making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Variations

Vegetable Additions: For added nutrition and color, stir in 1 cup of frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking, or add sautéed bell peppers and broccoli florets.

Spicy Version: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick that balances beautifully with the honey's sweetness.

Chicken Alternative: Replace the steak with chicken breast or thigh pieces for a lighter option that still works wonderfully with the honey garlic sauce.

Brown Rice Variation: Use brown rice for added fiber and nutty flavor, but increase the cooking time to 35-40 minutes and add an extra ½ cup of broth.

Coconut Fusion: Replace half the beef broth with coconut milk and add a tablespoon of curry powder for an Asian-fusion twist that's creamy and aromatic.

Storage/Reheating

This honey garlic butter steak and rice skillet stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop as it sits, making day-two leftovers even more delicious.

To reheat, add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent the rice from drying out. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through (about 2 minutes total). Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a small amount of broth and a pat of butter to refresh the sauce.

For longer storage, this dish freezes well for up to 2 months. Portion into individual servings before freezing for easy grab-and-go meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the methods above.

FAQs

What cut of steak works best for this recipe?

Ribeye offers the most flavor and tenderness due to its marbling, but sirloin is a more economical choice that still works wonderfully. Strip steak or flank steak (sliced against the grain) are also excellent options. The key is to cut the pieces uniformly so they cook evenly.

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, brown rice works well but requires adjustment. Increase the cooking time to 35-40 minutes and add an additional ½ cup of beef broth since brown rice requires more liquid and time to cook properly.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply substitute the regular soy sauce with tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce. All other ingredients in the recipe are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy adaptation for those with gluten sensitivities.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, this dish reheats beautifully. You can prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a splash of beef broth to rejuvenate the sauce and prevent the rice from drying out.

What vegetables would pair well with this dish?

Broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, and asparagus all complement the honey garlic flavors nicely. You can either stir them directly into the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking or serve them alongside as a separate side dish.

Why is my rice still crunchy after the cooking time?

This usually happens if the heat was too high, the lid wasn't tight enough, or the skillet used was too large for the amount of rice. Make sure to use a tight-fitting lid, maintain a gentle simmer, and avoid opening the lid during cooking, which releases necessary steam.

Can I use pre-cooked or leftover rice?

Absolutely! Skip the rice cooking step and reduce the beef broth to just ¼ cup. Add your pre-cooked rice to the skillet after making the sauce, along with the reserved steak and the ¼ cup broth. Stir until everything is heated through and coated with sauce.

What can I substitute for honey if I don't have any?

Brown sugar or maple syrup make excellent substitutions. Use 3 tablespoons of brown sugar or 3 tablespoons of maple syrup in place of the ¼ cup of honey. The flavor profile will change slightly, but the dish will still be delicious.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, simply replace the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. The sauce won't be quite as rich, but it will still have a delicious honey garlic flavor that coats the steak and rice beautifully.

How do I know when the steak is cooked perfectly?

For medium-rare to medium doneness (recommended for this dish), the steak pieces should be browned on the outside but still slightly pink in the center. Remember that the steak will continue to cook slightly when added back to the hot rice, so it's better to err on the side of undercooking it initially.

Conclusion

This Honey Garlic Butter Steak and Rice Skillet represents comfort food at its finest—simple, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. What makes this recipe truly special is how it transforms everyday ingredients into something that feels indulgent and special, all within a single pan. The combination of tender steak, fluffy rice, and that irresistible honey garlic butter sauce creates a meal that's greater than the sum of its parts.

Whether you're cooking for a family weeknight dinner or looking to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen, this skillet meal delivers on all fronts. The balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors makes it a dish you'll return to again and again, with the versatility to adapt based on what you have on hand.

Next time you're craving a hearty, flavor-packed meal that doesn't require culinary school skills or a sink full of dishes, reach for this recipe. Your taste buds—and your dinner companions—will thank you.