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Skillet Smothered Steak Tips

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on November 13, 2011

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Skillet Smothered Steak Tips

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large red onion, halved and sliced thinSalt and pepper 1 ½ pounds steak tips (see note)1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt, covered, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate.
  2. Pat steak dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in empty skillet until just smoking. Cook steak until browned all over and cooked to desired doneness, 6 to 10 minutes. Transfer to platter and tent with foil.
  3. Add browned onions, broth, and barbecue sauce to empty skillet and simmer over medium-low heat until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in butter and season with salt and pepper. Spoon onion mixture over steak tips. Serve.
Skillet Smothered Steak Tips

Skillet Smothered Steak Tips

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large red onion, halved and sliced thin
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds steak tips (see note)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large red onion, halved and sliced thin
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds steak tips (see note)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large red onion, halved and sliced thin
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds steak tips (see note)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Why This Recipe Works

Although known as a chain restaurant staple, steak tips are easy enough to make at home. Our Skillet Smothered Steak Tips recipe makes a perfect weeknight meal—and cooks up in one skillet in just 30 minutes. Steak tips can be sold as whole steaks, cubes, or strips. For this smothered steak tips recipe, use strips and cut them into 6 to 8-inch-long pieces, if necessary. Using red onion in this recipe lent the steak tips a complex, peppery bite that sweetened when cooked.

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt, covered, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate.
  2. Pat steak dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in empty skillet until just smoking. Cook steak until browned all over and cooked to desired doneness, 6 to 10 minutes. Transfer to platter and tent with foil.
  3. Add browned onions, broth, and barbecue sauce to empty skillet and simmer over medium-low heat until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in butter and season with salt and pepper. Spoon onion mixture over steak tips. Serve.

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