Savory Butternut Squash Garlic Steak (Printable Page)

Seared garlic steak, roasted butternut squash, quinoa, and herb cream blend for cozy meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
02 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

→ Grains

06 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
07 - 2 cups water

→ Protein

08 - 1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Dairy

09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt

→ Oils & Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Toss diced butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and half of the chopped herbs. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Set aside.
04 - Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Pat steak cubes dry and season with remaining salt and pepper. Sear in 1 tablespoon olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness. Remove from heat and rest for 3-5 minutes.
05 - Combine minced garlic, heavy cream or Greek yogurt, remaining herbs, and a pinch of salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
06 - Divide cooked quinoa among four serving bowls. Top with roasted butternut squash and seared steak cubes. Drizzle generously with garlic herb sauce.
07 - Garnish each bowl with fresh parsley and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together in under an hour, no fancy techniques required.
  • Everything can be prepped in advance, which means you're essentially cheating on busy weeknights.
  • The garlic herb cream is so good you'll find yourself making extra just to drizzle on other things.
02 -
  • Dry your steak thoroughly before searing or you'll end up with a gray surface instead of a golden crust, and that makes all the difference in flavor.
  • Don't skip the rest period after searing—even 3 minutes lets the juices redistribute so each bite stays tender.
03 -
  • If you're marinating the steak ahead, give it 30 minutes with garlic, herbs, and oil—it transforms the flavor without requiring overnight commitment.
  • Always taste your garlic herb cream before serving and adjust the salt and pepper because each person's palate is different, and it takes 10 seconds but makes you feel like a real cook.
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