HONEY-GLAZED STEAK STRIPS
Honey-Glazed Steak Strips Recipe
These Honey-Glazed Steak Strips are tender, juicy, and packed with sweet and savory flavor. Thin strips of steak are quickly seared until beautifully browned, then coated in a glossy honey garlic glaze that's rich, slightly sticky, and incredibly delicious.
This easy honey garlic steak strips recipe comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve the steak over rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, or alongside your favorite vegetables for a restaurant-style dinner at home.
Why You'll Love These Honey-Glazed Steak Strips
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Tender, juicy steak
- Sweet and savory honey glaze
- Rich garlic and soy sauce flavor
- Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner
- Uses simple ingredients
- Great with rice, noodles, or vegetables
- Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, ribeye, or strip steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Honey Glaze
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sliced green onions
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Best Steak for Honey-Glazed Steak Strips
Several cuts work beautifully for this recipe. Sirloin is affordable and flavorful, while ribeye produces especially rich and tender steak strips.
New York strip steak is another excellent option. Whichever cut you choose, slice it thinly against the grain for the most tender texture.
How to Make Honey-Glazed Steak Strips
Step 1: Slice the Steak
Place the steak on a cutting board and slice it into thin strips, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
For the most tender steak, slice against the grain. If the steak is difficult to slice thinly, place it in the freezer for about 15–20 minutes first. This firms it up and makes slicing much easier.
Step 2: Season the Steak
Place the steak strips in a bowl and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Toss well to coat every piece.
Step 3: Prepare the Honey Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if using.
Set the glaze aside.
Step 4: Sear the Steak
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the pan is hot, add the steak strips in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, depending on the thickness and desired doneness.
Avoid overcrowding the pan. If necessary, cook the steak in two batches.
Step 5: Add the Butter
Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet.
Allow it to melt around the steak strips.
Step 6: Add the Honey Glaze
Pour the prepared honey glaze into the skillet.
Stir and toss the steak continuously as the sauce begins to bubble.
Step 7: Let the Sauce Thicken
Cook for approximately 2–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the glaze becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
The honey will caramelize slightly and coat the steak beautifully.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Sprinkle the steak strips with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Serve immediately while hot.
Tips for Tender Honey-Glazed Steak
Slice Against the Grain
This is one of the most important steps for tender steak. Cutting against the grain shortens the muscle fibers and makes every bite easier to chew.
Use a Very Hot Pan
A hot skillet helps the steak develop a beautiful browned exterior without requiring a long cooking time.
Don't Overcrowd the Pan
Too much steak in the pan can cause it to steam instead of sear. Cook in batches if necessary.
Don't Overcook the Steak
Thin steak strips cook very quickly. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat once they're cooked to your preferred level of doneness.
Add the Honey Sauce Near the End
Honey can burn if cooked over high heat for too long. Sear the steak first, then add the glaze and cook just until it becomes glossy and thick.
How to Make the Steak Extra Crispy
For more caramelized edges, pat the steak strips dry with paper towels before seasoning.
Make sure your skillet is fully heated before adding the steak, and avoid moving the pieces around too much during the first minute of cooking.
How to Serve Honey-Glazed Steak Strips
These sweet and savory steak strips pair beautifully with a variety of side dishes.
- Steamed white rice
- Jasmine rice
- Fried rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Egg noodles
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- Simple garden salad
Honey-Glazed Steak Bowl
For an easy complete meal, serve the steak over steamed rice and add broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas.
Drizzle any remaining glaze over the top and finish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Honey-Glazed Steak Variations
Spicy Honey Steak
Add extra red pepper flakes, sriracha, or your favorite hot sauce for a spicy-sweet version.
Honey Garlic Butter Steak
Increase the butter slightly and add extra garlic for an intensely rich garlic butter flavor.
Honey Teriyaki Steak
Add a little extra soy sauce and ginger and finish with sesame seeds for a teriyaki-inspired version.
Lemon Honey Steak
Add fresh lemon zest and a small squeeze of lemon juice to the glaze for a bright citrus flavor.
Honey Balsamic Steak
Replace the rice vinegar with balsamic vinegar for a deeper, tangier glaze.
Can I Use Frozen Steak?
For the best results, thaw the steak completely in the refrigerator before slicing and cooking.
If you need to slice it very thinly, partially freezing a thawed steak for 15–20 minutes can make the process easier.
Can I Use Chicken Instead?
Yes. The same sweet and savory glaze works wonderfully with chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs.
Make sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature before serving.
How to Store Leftover Steak Strips
Allow leftovers to cool and place them in an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
How to Reheat Honey-Glazed Steak
For the best texture, reheat the steak gently in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add a small splash of water or beef broth if the glaze has become too thick.
Avoid overheating the steak because it can become tough.
Can You Freeze Honey-Glazed Steak?
Yes. Allow the cooked steak to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to approximately 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best steak for steak strips?
Sirloin, ribeye, and New York strip are all excellent choices. Sirloin is a great balance between flavor, tenderness, and price.
Why is my steak tough?
Steak can become tough if it's overcooked or sliced with the grain. Slice thinly against the grain and cook quickly over high heat.
Can I make this recipe without soy sauce?
Yes. Coconut aminos can be used as an alternative, although the flavor will be slightly different.
Can I make the glaze less sweet?
Yes. Reduce the honey to 2–3 tablespoons and adjust the soy sauce or vinegar to taste.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. Use certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and verify that all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Can I prepare the steak ahead of time?
You can slice and season the steak several hours ahead and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook. Prepare the glaze separately and add it during cooking.
Recipe Card
Honey-Glazed Steak Strips
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American-Asian Inspired
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds sirloin, ribeye, or strip steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the steak thinly against the grain.
- Season the steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes together.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the steak strips for 2–3 minutes per side until browned.
- Reduce heat to medium and add butter.
- Pour the honey glaze into the skillet.
- Cook for 2–4 minutes, tossing frequently, until the glaze is glossy and slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately with rice, noodles, potatoes, or vegetables.
Final Thoughts
These Honey-Glazed Steak Strips are a quick and delicious way to turn simple steak into an irresistible dinner. The combination of tender seared beef, buttery garlic, savory soy sauce, and sweet honey creates a glossy glaze that's packed with flavor.
Serve these steak strips over rice for an easy dinner bowl, pair them with vegetables for a lighter meal, or enjoy them with mashed potatoes for a comforting family dinner.
Save this easy honey garlic steak recipe and make it the next time you need a quick dinner that's full of flavor!
