Cowboy Butter Steak and Shrimp Scampi is the kind of easy, impressive dinner that feels straight off a steakhouse menu—but comes together in one skillet in about 30 minutes. Tender seared steak bites and juicy shrimp are tossed in a bold, garlicky cowboy butter scampi sauce with lemon, Dijon, herbs, and a little red pepper heat, then served over buttery linguine.
It is a rich, cozy surf-and-turf pasta dinner for date night, a special weekend meal, or anytime you want to make an ordinary weeknight feel a little extra special. If you already love my Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, this steak and shrimp version needs to be next on your list.
More Cowboy Butter Recipes You’ll Love
Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Butter Steak and Shrimp Scampi
- A restaurant-worthy surf-and-turf dinner made at home
- Steak bites and shrimp cook quickly in one skillet
- The cowboy butter sauce is garlicky, lemony, herby, and just a little spicy
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for date night
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pasta:
- 12 ounces linguine or fettuccine
- Salt, for pasta water
Steak and shrimp:
- 1 pound sirloin steak, cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cowboy butter scampi sauce:
- 8 tablespoons salted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- ½ cup reserved pasta water, as needed
- Fresh Parmesan cheese, for serving
How to Make Cowboy Butter Steak and Shrimp Scampi
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until just al dente according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
While the pasta cooks, pat the steak dry and season it with half of the salt, half of the pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Season the shrimp with the remaining salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deeply browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Transfer the steak to a plate.
Add the shrimp to the same skillet. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until pink, curled, and opaque. Transfer the shrimp to the plate with the steak. Do not overcook it.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the white wine or chicken broth, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce bubble for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until coated in the cowboy butter sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to make the sauce silky and glossy.
Return the steak and shrimp to the skillet along with the parsley and chives. Toss gently just until everything is warmed through. Finish with Parmesan, extra herbs, lemon wedges, and black pepper.
Tips for the Best Steak and Shrimp Scampi
Use sirloin for tender steak bites without the cost of filet. Ribeye or New York strip also work beautifully for an even richer dinner.
Cook the steak and shrimp separately. Both cook fast, but shrimp will turn rubbery if it waits in the skillet while the steak finishes.
Do not skip the pasta water. The starchy water helps the cowboy butter sauce cling to every strand of pasta instead of pooling in the bottom of the skillet.
Taste before adding more salt. Cowboy butter includes salted butter, Worcestershire, Parmesan, and Dijon, so it is best to season in layers.
Make It Your Own
Make it creamy by stirring in ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream after adding the wine or broth.
Skip the pasta and serve the cowboy butter steak and shrimp over rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce.
Use chicken instead of steak for a lighter version, or make it shrimp-only for a quick seafood dinner.
Add vegetables like asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, or roasted broccoli. A side of Cheesy Zucchini Garlic Bread is also perfect for this sauce.
One Pan Cowboy Butter Steak and Shrimp Scampi
Tender steak bites and juicy shrimp are tossed with linguine in a bold garlic lemon cowboy butter sauce for an easy, restaurant-worthy surf-and-turf dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 12 ounces linguine
- 1 pound sirloin steak, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 tablespoons salted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water, as needed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Pat the steak dry. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Season the shrimp with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak bites for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Transfer to a plate.
- Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Transfer to the plate with the steak.
- Reduce heat to medium. Melt the butter in the skillet. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add wine or broth, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add linguine and toss until coated. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce is glossy and clings to the pasta.
- Return steak and shrimp to the skillet. Toss gently with parsley and chives until warmed through.
- Serve with Parmesan, extra herbs, and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp; remove it as soon as it is pink and opaque.
- Sirloin is a great affordable choice, but ribeye, strip steak, or tenderloin also work.
- Use chicken broth in place of white wine, if preferred.
- For a creamier sauce, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream with the wine or broth.
What to Serve with Steak and Shrimp Scampi
This rich pasta is delicious with a crisp Caesar salad, roasted asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. For a full steakhouse-style dinner, add warm garlic bread and a chilled glass of white wine.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small splash of chicken broth, water, or melted butter. Shrimp is best when reheated only until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is a bold, flavored butter sauce made with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, herbs, red pepper flakes, and seasonings. It is especially good with steak, chicken, seafood, and pasta.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw the shrimp completely and pat it very dry before cooking so it sears instead of steaming.
What steak is best for steak bites?
Sirloin is my favorite affordable choice. Ribeye, strip steak, or tenderloin are all delicious options too.
Can I make this without wine?
Absolutely. Use chicken broth in place of the wine for an equally delicious scampi sauce.
Final Thoughts
Cowboy Butter Shrimp and Steak Scampi is one of those easy dinners that makes an ordinary night feel special. The garlicky lemon-herb butter sauce brings together tender steak bites, juicy shrimp, and pasta in a way that is rich, comforting, and totally restaurant-worthy—without leaving your kitchen.
