Introduction

If you’re looking for a luxurious, restaurant-quality meal that you can make at home, look no further than these Surf & Turf Garlic Noodles. This recipe combines succulent shrimp and juicy steak with buttery, garlicky noodles that are packed with flavor. Perfect for a special dinner or a weekend treat, this dish balances the richness of steak with the delicate flavors of seafood, all coated in a savory garlic sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

My Recipe Story

I first came up with this Surf & Turf Garlic Noodles recipe during a family dinner when I wanted to impress my guests without spending hours in the kitchen. I had some leftover shrimp and a few cuts of steak in the fridge, and inspiration struck. By combining the surf and turf elements with my favorite garlic noodle recipe, I created a dish that was both decadent and comforting. Since then, it has become a go-to for special occasions, date nights, or anytime I crave a flavorful, indulgent meal. Watching the noodles coated in garlic butter, topped with sizzling steak and plump shrimp, never fails to bring a smile to the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of surf and turf flavors in one dish.
Rich, garlicky noodles that are simple yet luxurious.
Quick to prepare for a gourmet meal without the stress.

Customizable with your choice of seafood and steak cuts.
Impresses guests or makes an indulgent weeknight dinner.
Freezer-friendly and easy to make ahead for busy schedules.

Ingredient Breakdown

To make Surf & Turf Garlic Noodles, you’ll need three main components: noodles, proteins, and sauce. For the noodles, I recommend using egg noodles or spaghetti, as they hold the garlicky sauce beautifully and create a silky texture. The sauce is the star here—made with a combination of butter, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of sugar. This mixture gives the noodles a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors that pair wonderfully with both shrimp and steak.

The seafood component consists of fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined for quick cooking. Shrimp cooks fast, making it an ideal choice for a quick weeknight meal, while still delivering luxurious flavors. For the turf, choose a tender steak such as ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon. Season it generously with salt and pepper and sear it to your preferred doneness. The combination of the juicy steak and flavorful shrimp over garlicky noodles is what truly elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in this recipe. Use freshly minced garlic for the sauce and consider adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or green onions as a finishing touch. This not only brightens the flavor but also adds a touch of color, making your dish visually appealing. The garlic butter sauce is versatile enough to adjust—add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing tang.

Equipment You’ll Need

Large pot for boiling noodles
Skillet or sauté pan for shrimp and steak

Mixing bowls
Wooden spoon or tongs
Knife and cutting board

Colander for draining noodles
Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Directions

Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later. Toss lightly with a teaspoon of oil to prevent sticking.

Prepare the steak: Pat the steak dry and season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil. Sear the steak for 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness. Remove from pan, rest for 5–10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
Cook the shrimp: In the same skillet, add a touch more oil and sauté the shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside with the steak slices.
Make the garlic sauce: Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a smooth, silky sauce that will coat the noodles beautifully.

Toss noodles in sauce: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the garlic sauce. Toss until evenly coated. Adjust the sauce consistency with more pasta water if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or soy sauce if desired.
Combine surf and turf: Arrange the sliced steak and cooked shrimp on top of the garlic noodles. Gently toss everything together or leave the steak and shrimp on top for a beautiful presentation. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions for garnish.
Serve immediately: Plate your Surf & Turf Garlic Noodles while hot. Offer lemon wedges on the side for a citrusy brightness, and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home.

Variations & Substitutions

You can customize this dish based on your preferences or what’s available in your kitchen. Swap shrimp for scallops, lobster, or crab for a different seafood experience. If steak isn’t your favorite, chicken breast or pork tenderloin can serve as the turf component. For a vegetarian option, consider using marinated tofu or tempeh alongside sautéed mushrooms. You can also experiment with different noodles such as rice noodles or soba for a unique twist.

Expert Tips & Troubleshooting

Always rest your steak after cooking to retain juices and ensure tenderness.
Don’t overcook shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if left too long in the pan.

Reserve some pasta water before draining noodles to adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
Use freshly minced garlic instead of pre-minced for a more vibrant and aromatic flavor.
Garnish with fresh herbs to brighten flavors and elevate presentation.

Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead

This Surf & Turf Garlic Noodles recipe can be prepared ahead of time. Store the cooked noodles, shrimp, and steak separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or butter to maintain sauce consistency. You can also freeze cooked noodles without seafood for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing the shrimp and steak as they may lose texture when thawed and reheated.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

Serve these garlic noodles as a stand-alone meal or pair them with a light salad, such as arugula with a lemon vinaigrette. Garlic bread or crusty baguette works beautifully to soak up the extra sauce. For beverages, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc complements the seafood, while a light red like Pinot Noir pairs well with the steak. Add a simple side of roasted vegetables for a complete, well-rounded dinner.

FAQ

1. Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely before cooking. Pat dry to avoid excess moisture in the pan.

2. Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely. Use gluten-free noodles and substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to keep the flavor balanced.

3. How can I make the garlic noodles spicier?
Add red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic or drizzle sriracha over the finished dish for an extra kick.

4. What cut of steak works best?
Ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon are all excellent choices. Choose a cut with good marbling for flavor and tenderness.

5. Can I prepare this recipe in advance for a dinner party?
Yes. Cook the noodles and sauce ahead of time and keep them separate from the seafood and steak. Reheat everything just before serving for optimal flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

Surf & Turf Garlic Noodles are the ultimate indulgence, combining the best of land and sea in a rich, garlicky, buttery noodle dish. With this recipe, you can bring restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen, impress your guests, and satisfy your craving for something decadent yet approachable. Whether for a special occasion, a date night, or a weekend treat, these noodles are sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. Enjoy the comforting combination of tender steak, succulent shrimp, and flavorful garlic noodles that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Surf & Turf Garlic Noodles 🍤🥩

Author: Sarah White
Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in succulent shrimp and tender steak over buttery garlic noodles for a luxurious, restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz egg noodles or spaghetti
8 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon)

4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 tsp olive oil
Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped, for garnish
Lemon wedges, optional

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles until al dente, drain, and reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Toss lightly with 1 tsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
Pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp oil. Sear steak 3–5 minutes per side, rest 5–10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
In the same skillet, sauté shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter and sauté garlic 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Add reserved pasta water to form a silky sauce.
Add cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until coated in sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more soy sauce as needed.
Top noodles with sliced steak and shrimp. Gently toss or leave on top for presentation. Garnish with parsley or green onions.

Serve immediately with optional lemon wedges.

Notes

Store cooked noodles, shrimp, and steak separately in airtight containers in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or butter. Serve with a side salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course

Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American