18 Juicy Steak Recipes That Pack A Punch

Cast-iron steak salad with fork and spoon
Photo:

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

A classic country dinner almost always has one thing: steak. It’s perfect for date night, family functions, dinner parties to just your average Sunday supper. Steak is a savior of dinners that otherwise would have been a disaster had it not been for your perfectly cooked meat. From frying it up in your cast iron to smothering it in gravy, let’s just say that we Southerners know how to do it right. Whether you enjoy your steak medium rare or well done, there is a recipe on this list for you. We have our classic Country-Fried Steak and plenty of meat and potatoes as well as several lighter options that are sure to make those who are trying to trim the fat happy. We’ll also share with you a few of our favorite steak cooking tricks to help ensure that every bite of steak melts in your mouth. We hope you’re hungry! 

01 of 18

Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak Recipe
Photo: Hector Sanchez

This is the best way to cook a thick, juicy bone-in steak restaurant-style without smoking up the house. Use your grill to heat the cast-iron skillet; the skillet surface area promotes a more assertive flavor and better sear than grill grates, yielding a steak with the proper steak house crust.

02 of 18

Watermelon-Braised Pork Shoulder Steaks

Watermelon-Braised Pork Shoulder Steaks Recipe
Stephen DeVries; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Believe it or not, steaks are not just beef. These pork shoulder steaks are flavored with a blend of miso, mirin, Sambal sauce, and juicy summer watermelons.

03 of 18

Steak-and-Bell Pepper Salad

Steak-and-Bell Pepper Salad
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

This Steak-and-Bell Pepper Salad is a delicious, satisfying, and healthy meal for the entire family. It's like your traditional steak salad, but with pops of brightness from the bell pepper.

04 of 18

Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables

Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Cleanup is easier than ever with this recipe. All the flavorful ingredients cook together on one sheet pan. The butter, full of tyme, lemon zest and mustard, adds a nice touch.

05 of 18

Easy Steak Fajitas

Easy Steak Fajitas
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Everyone can customize their fajitas. Set out an assortment of toppings such as fresh cilantro, sour cream, jalapeños, and fresh tomatoes.

06 of 18

Grilled Steak Salad with Walnut Dressing

Grilled Steak Salad with Walnut Dressing
Becky Luigart-Stayner

This is a classic salad that would be perfectly paired with a sprinkle of blueberries. The walnuts in the dressing are sauteed to make them rich in flavor.

07 of 18

Sheet Pan Flank Steak, Greens, and Yukon Gold Fries

Sheet Pan Flank Steak, Greens, and Yukon Gold Fries
Greg DuPree

Prep this recipe a few minutes in the morning, and you'll come home to dinner on the table in less than an hour. The curly kale and potatoes make this dish a full meal that checks all the boxes.

08 of 18

Pepper Steak

Pepper Steak
Southern Living

Sometimes simplicity is key, and this recipe calls for three basic ingredients that pair beautifully together: steak, peppers, and rice. This dinner can be made in advance to feed your family for a whole week.

09 of 18

Flank Steak and Cucumber Salad

Flank Steak and Cucumber Salad
Jacob Snavely

We love a quick pickle, and this dish pairs them with a hearty flank steak. This recipe shows off Asian flavors with chili paste, lime, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

10 of 18

Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-fry

Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-fry
Photo: Greg Dupree

A ripping-hot skillet works as well as a wok to sear food fast. Just be sure to use one that can take the heat, preferably cast-iron or a large, heavy-bottomed stainless.

11 of 18

Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos

Ancho-Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos
Alison Miksch

This dinner comes together with the toss of a few of your favorite veggies and steak on a sheet pan. To bring the flavor of this dish to the next level, pour some of the drippings into your sour cream.

12 of 18

Seared Steak-and-Field Pea Salad

Seared Steak-and-Field Pea Salad
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

We'll be the first to tell you that you don't need lettuce to have a truly delicious salad. Filled with field peas, this steak salad will become the staple of sweltering summer nights.

13 of 18

Cast-Iron Steak Salad

Cast-iron steak salad with fork and spoon

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Believe it or not, the first step to this Cast-Iron Steak Salad takes you to the microwave. It gets those potatoes tender and then the recipes takes just 30 minutes to come together.

14 of 18

Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce

Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

This weeknight dinner might just convince the kiddos to eat all their veggies with a little help from this delightful herb sauce. Yes, this sauce is great on meat, but you can stretch it to cover potatoes and vegetables easily.

15 of 18

Air Fryer Steak

Air Fryer Steak
Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel

Is there anything and air fryer can't do? Just make sure that your meat rests after cooking so your steak is as tender as can be.

16 of 18

Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak

Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak
Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

The secret to a perfectly crusted steak is a very hot skillet. Make sure to have your hood fan on and cut your steaks at a diagonal too. Those things ensure that every bite of steak will be brilliant.

17 of 18

Country-Fried Steak

Country Fried Steak
Southern Living

Country-Fried Steak is one recipe that could have songs written about it. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Southerner who doesn't crave this nostalgic dish.

18 of 18

Beef Fajitas

Beef Faijitas
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Kelly

This Tex-Mex take on a classic dish might just become your new favorite steak supper. The bold marinade packs the meat with unforgettable flavor.

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