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My favorite 30 Minute Cajun Butter Steak and Peppers. Peppery, spicy, garlicky, and a touch buttery, this Cajun beef has so much flavor…colorful bell peppers, avocado, and plenty of fresh herbs. It’s a fun twist on the usual steak dinner, super quick, and so delicious. The best part? It’s all made in just one skillet and comes together in about 30 minutes. Serve over steamed rice for a meal that the whole family will enjoy.
You guys have heard the stories about my dad’s (sometimes twice) weekly chicken and rice dinners many times over. But his other staple? Steak and rice. It was the easiest, quickest meal that my dad could get on the dinner table. Both my brothers and mom loved it so much. To this day, steak and rice (ok or steak and potatoes), is their go-to. Stayin true to their midwest roots I guess.
Me however? Well it’s never been my favorite. I’ve said it before, but I much prefer the vegetables and carbs (like yesterday’s cauliflower al pastor quesadilla). Therefore, I really don’t cook very many steak recipes. Plus, let’s be honest, if you are cooking steak, more often than not you just want a simple grilled streak. It is nice to enjoy al fresco on a warm summer night, you know? At least that’s my take.
All that said, every now and again I get inspired to create a new steak recipe. This time around it’s a recipe I am whole heartedly so excited about.
Why? Three simple things…cajun butter, bell peppers, and avocado. These three items provide spicy, smoky flavors, colorful vegetables, and well, avocado is my favorite creamy, healthy, and delicious fruit.
Ever since I was a kid I have always been the biggest fan of Cajun flavors. We’d order from Buffalo Wild Wings way back when my family lived in Ohio. Someone would always get the Cajun fries and my memories of them are making my mouth water. Granted I’ve not had those fries in so long, but from what I remember, they were delicious.
For whatever reason, I was thinking about those Cajun fries the other week. Which then got me thinking about a Cajun seasoned steak. It sounded very interesting, and I was in the mood to really switch things up in the kitchen, so I just went for it.
I had everything I wanted on hand, and less than an hour later, this recipe was complete. I was shocked by how quickly I was able to throw it together, and also how colorful it turned out to be. Immediately I was excited. So I did some recipe adjustments, made it once more, and here we are today!
As you can guess from the 30 minute start to finish cooking time, this is an easy recipe.
Before you start anything, make some rice. Or quinoa or honestly whatever your favorite grain is. It can be anything, but in my family it’s almost always some type of rice.
Tip: if you don’t love making rice or simply do not have the time, I highly recommend picking up some pre-cooked brown rice or quinoa from Trader Joe’s. It can be a real life save when you’re in a time crunch.
So you have your rice cooking. The next step is to toss cubed steak with Cajun spices. You can use something extra fancy or something not so fancy, like a simple flank steak. I like using a mix of fresh thyme, smoky paprika, and cayenne pepper for a really good flavorful kick. Be sure to adjust the amounts of cayenne to your liking, so your steak is just spicy enough for your personal taste.
Once you have the steak seasoned, stir fry a whole bunch of colorful bell peppers until charred on the edges. I love allowing the peppers to char just ever so slightly. It adds tons of flavor.
Now that the peppers are cooked, toss in the steak and give it a nice sear. Add a pat of butter and few garlic cloves, and cook a few minutes more. As the garlic cooks, it infuses the butter with flavor and leaves you with a saucy Cajun butter steak with hints of garlic. Finish the steak off with a squeeze of lemon and you now have Cajun butter steak.
As mentioned, I serve this steak over rice, then toss in the peppers, and top each plate with a few slices of avocado and a handful of fresh herbs. It’s simple, but so colorful and so delicious.
You could also serve this with an additional side salad, to bump up the veggies. Or sauté broccoli alongside the peppers for even more color.
And if you’re not a fan of steak of any kind? Swap in shrimp. Cajun butter shrimp will be equally delicious.
So with that, I think it’s time we all switch things up and enjoy a slightly less predictable steak dinner. What do you think? Summer is on the horizon and this is the perfect one skillet, no oven, dinner to enjoy from now through…ever really. It’s great for all the seasons!
If you make this Cajun butter steak, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Wow! This was great! I made pepperonata instead of the peppers and carumba! So delicious….thanks for the recipe!!!
Thank you Marilyn! xTieghan
Would this work with chicken?!
Hi Rose! Yes, chicken will be delicious! Just adjust the cooking time to make sure the chicken is cooked through. I think it should be pretty similar to what I have listed for the steak. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I am new to HBH and this is the first recipe I have tried. It was so good and easy to make! I served the steak and peppers on a little bit of vermicelli and added oven fried cauliflower with chipotle mayo. My husband said the meal was perfect…and I would agree. Thanks, Tieghan!
Thank you Sara! xTieghan
I made this for dinner tonight and it was better than I imagined. My kids loved it! Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you Liz! xTieghan
I made this last night and this was superb. I can’t believe something so simple can be so wonderful.
I charred the peppers, as I read you preferred this and I (now) do too.
I followed this to a tee. Sometimes, I tend to skip the details: adding the herbs at the end made a nice touch of difference, and it adds a bit of ambience to the dish.
My husband and daughter proclaimed a ‘family-staple’ now.
That is so amazing! Thank you Cindy! xTieghan
I made this tonight with prime rib eye, and it was really good. Mr.Fussy said I can make it again, which is high praise! I might add sliced mushrooms and onions to th epeppers for variety.
I love to hear that! Thank you for trying this Marlene! I am so glad you both enjoyed it! xTieghan
Looks yummy, Tieghan. I hve lots of flank steak but hesitate to use it as directed. Doesn’t flank need to be cut on the diagonal into slices across the grain? Otherwise it gets tough. Can I do it with slinly sliced flank, much like fajitas? Thanks!
HI Marlene! Yes, thinly sliced flank steak will be great! So sorry, I should have listed this in my recipe, I will adjust it! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
THIS LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, CHINA
chiona.alexangria@livingthedream.blog
I hope so haha! Thank you China! xTieghan
you had me at cajun, just sayin’
Woo!
I really happy found this website eventually. Really informative and inoperative, Thanks for the post and effort! Please keep sharing more such blog. Now I saved it to my bookmarks so that I can keep me in touch with you.
Thank you! xTieghan
Tieghan, this recipe was excellent!
I’m recovering from a bad wrist sprain in my dominant hand, and not cooking on my own has been KILLING me! I’ve had lots of help in the kitchen, but it’s not the same as doing it myself. This is the first recipe I’ve tackled completely on my own in the past month, and it felt so good! It was simple and quick to prepare, but so, so, SO tasty!
It was also a perfect use for the steaks that our local grocery store puts on special this time of year. It’s not warm enough for grilling here yet, so we can get deals on some really nice cuts of beef that aren’t popular for any other type of cooking.
YES! I am so glad it turned out amazing for you, Kate! And I love that you did it on your own! Its rewarding right?! Thank you! xTieghan
This was so delicious and easy! It’s the fourth recipe I’ve made from you this week! Love it all!
Wow that is so amazing! Thank you so much! xTieghan
OMG this recipe was so simple, but so delicious. Thank you so much for posting this today!
Thank you Jessica! I am so glad you loved it! xTieghan
Literally made something like this last week! Going to try it with the cajun spices! Love your photos, you make food look so delicious!
Wow that is so amazing! I hope you love this version! Thank you Eden! xTieghan
Looks delicious, I’ll make this next week when I my son and daughter in law. A great option for when they return from work. She loves Cajun anything.
Thank you so much Joyce! I hope you all love this! xTieghan