Surf and Turf (Steak and Shrimp) is easy, excellent, and our favorite Valentine’s Day Dinner. The tender filet mignon steak is seared in garlic rosemary butter and the shrimp sizzles in that same flavored butter sauce. All you need are some Boiled New Potatoes to make it a meal.
This truly tastes like dining at a fancy steakhouse – it’s super flavorful, juicy, and memorable. Did I mention it took me less than 30 minutes to make? Pair it with Chocolate Souffle and your menu is golden. Watch the video tutorial and see how easy this is.
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Surf and Turf Video Tutorial
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Surf and Turf Recipe
Years ago (January 2006), my husband and I had the opportunity to go on a horse-drawn sleigh ride in the snow-covered mountains which landed in a cozy cabin where live music was playing and a steak and shrimp dinner was served (I snapped the photo below from that night).
Friends from church had reservations for that sleigh ride and weren’t able to attend so they were kind enough to offer their tickets to us and it was such a beautiful experience that we still remember. We were so impressed by that meal and it was the inspiration for this Surf and Turf recipe.
Ingredients for Steak and Shrimp
The key to making great surf and turf is all of the accumulated flavors from cooking the steak and shrimp in the same pan with flavored butter. The ingredients here are simple, but the flavors are memorable.
- Filet Mignon – steaks should be even thickness and about 1 1/2″ thick
- Shrimp – use large 21-25 count shrimp
- Salt and Pepper – we use fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and make sure to season just before you start cooking.
- Oil – use a vegertable oil, extra LIGHT olive oil or any high heat cooking oil.
- Unsalted Butter – I like to cut it into pieces so it melts quickly in the skillet. Swirl the pan as it melts so it doesn’t spatter.
- Garlic – use 2 large cloves, peeled and cut into quarters
- Rosemary – one sprig is sufficient to infuse the butter with rosemary flavor and aroma
Time Saving Tip: Buy shrimp that are peeled and deveined with the tail on. If buying frozen shrimp, be sure to fully thaw shrimp according to the package instructions.
How to Make Surf and Turf
- Prep Steaks and Shrimp – pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper.
- Heat the pan – place a heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium/high heat and once it’s starting to smoke, swirl in 1/2 Tbsp oil.
- Sear steaks – sear steaks for 4 minutes on the first side, 3 minutes on the second side and then sear the edges for 30-60 seconds per edge. Remove from heat 10 degrees before your desired temp on a thermometer. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. The temperature will rise as it rests.
- Flavored Butter – reduce skillet to medium heat and melt in 3 Tbsp butter with quartered garlic cloves and a rosemary sprig.
- Sautee shrimp – Add shrimp and sautee in a single layer for `1 minute, flip and cook another minute until opaque and pink then remove from heat.
- Return steaks to the pan along with any accumulated juices. Turn the steaks to coat and spoon more flavored butter over them. Serve and enjoy.
Pro Tip: Season your steak and shrimp just before turning on the stove. Seasoning too early will draw moisture out of the steak and shrimp.
Steak Doneness Chart
When using an expensive cut of meat, or any cut of meat really, a good Thermometer will give you confidence in the kitchen. Since a steak will continue to cook and increase in temperature when it’s taken off the heat, you’ll want to remove the steak from the skillet about 10 degrees before the final desired temperature. These are the final resting temperatures that we aim for:
- 130˚F for Medium-Rare
- 135˚F for Medium doneness (Natasha’s favorite)
- 140˚F for Medium-Well doneness
Common Questions
Surf and turf is the combination of seafood (surf) and red meat (turf). The seafood can be anything from shrimp to Lobster or scallops and the turf is typically a great steak. If you aren’t able to source Filet Mignon or Beef Tenderloin, you can substitute with New York Steak, Ribeye, or Top Sirloin, which are all excellent cuts that will yield tender results.
You can make grilled surf and turf, just place your cast iron skillet on the grill over medium/high heat. I would definitely use a skillet to benefit from the pan juices and flavored butter.
Yes, you can use your favorite steak here and cook to your desired doneness. A better quality steak with more marbling will yield tender results. Also, go for a steak that is about 1 1/2″ thick. If it is too thick, it will take longer to cook on the skillet.
How to Serve
We love to serve this as a main course paired with these simple sides:
I’ll never stop loving this steak and shrimp meal. I love the simple ingredients, how easy it is to make, and how incredible it tastes.
More Valentine’s Day Recipes
If you are looking for some special occasion recipes to pair with this Surf and Turf, here are some of our favorite Valentine’s Day recipes:
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Red Velvet Cake
- Panna Cotta with Berry Sauce
- Chocolate Lava Cakes
- Creme Brulee
- Tiramisu Recipe
Surf and Turf (Steak and Shrimp)
Ingredients
- 1 lb filet mignon, 2 steaks, each 1 1/2” thick
- 12 oz large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail-on (21-25 count)
- 1 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, divided, or to taste
- 3/4 tsp black pepper, divided, or to taste
- 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil, or any high heat cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Pat dry shrimp and steaks thoroughly with a paper towel. Just before cooking, season the steak season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and season shrimp with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium/high heat. Once it’s hot to the point where it’s just starting to smoke, add 1/2 Tbsp olive and swirl the skillet to coat.
- Add the steaks and sear for 4 minutes on the first side then flip and sear for 3-4 minutes on the second side. Using tongs, turn the steaks on their sides to render the white fat and sear the edges (30-60 seconds per edge). Remove from the skillet when it is about 10 degrees from your desired doneness on a thermometer (the temperature will continue to rise as it rests). Transfer the steaks to a plate and tent with foil to rest.
- Reduce the heat to medium and right away add 3 Tbsp butter, quartered garlic cloves, and a sprig of rosemary.
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the pan and spread in a single layer. Sauté about 1 minute per side or until pink and opaque and cooked through then immediately remove the skillet from the heat.
- Return steaks to the pan and turn to coat in pan sauce, spooning more of the flavored butter over the steak and shrimp. Serve drizzled with more pan sauce.
Notes
- 130˚F Medium Rare
- 135˚F Medium
- 140˚F Medium-Well
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Hi Natasha! I’m from Canada. We just made my wife and I, your beautiful surf and turf recipe. It was a total delight!! Every time we do one of your recipes, it turns out to a fantastic success.
All the best to you! Thank you so much
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad you are both enjoying the recipe! Thank you for the feedback.
I can’t get enough of this! Thank you so much for the great video and recipe. It was so easy follow along with. Normally I mess steaks up when I cooked them so I leave that to my partner often. But once I watched your video I felt confident about cooking it and the steak (and shrimp) came out great! I did not use filet mignon and it still was a huge hit with my family. Everything was so easy to make and the flavors were amazing! I will definitely make this again. Thank you thank you! I can cook steak now!
I made this Filet Mignon and Shrimp dinner for 2 for Valentines evening,2024. What a hit! Followed the recipe, although I did omit salting the shrimp. Scrumptious!!Both my husband and I loved it!!!! And it took no time at all.Thank you. I’ll make it again,for sure!
Hi Nancy! That’s so great to hear. Thank you for the feedback.
You make it so easy to make delicious food, Natasha! Every recipe of yours, including this one, is a surefire winner for my family. Thank you!
Thank you so much. I hope your family will love all of the recipes that you will try for them.
Perfect recipe! I had a strip steak (I don’t really like filet) so I used different timing for the steak. I did make a garlic & herb compound butter beforehand & used that instead of the separate pieces in the pan. The pan-basting to finish the dish was the key. Thank you!
You’re very welcome. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Hi Natasha. The recipe is wonderful. My brother taught me to always add a pat of butter to the top of the steak while resting. We sometimes use rosemary butter, but I prefer w/out. It adds even more yum to the recipe. Anyway, I enjoy all of your recipes and videos!
Thanks for sharing. We’re happy to hear that you love our Surf and Turf recipe!
Natasha,
I made this according to your directions. It was out of this world. The only thing I will change is next time pull the steak15-20 degree earlier as our steak was over done. Could be our POS Oven too. BTW I love the energy you have in your videos. You are my favorite!
Hi Kevin! Thank you for the feedback. That is very kind.