When I think of a dinner that feels like a treat, I picture surf and turf. I’m talking about a juicy grilled steak paired with tender shrimp that soak up every bit of creamy garlic sauce. It’s hearty and indulgent without being over the top, and it brings both land and sea right to your plate. I love how the shrimp takes on that smoky char from the grill while staying tender inside. The garlic sauce clings to each piece, and when you pair that with the steak, it feels like the kind of meal you’d order at a fancy restaurant, but you made it yourself. Recipes with shrimp are always on rotation in my kitchen, and this one fits right in. This dish is perfect for a Grilled Shrimp Dinner at home. You can even switch things up with recipes with grilled chicken if steak isn’t your thing. Honestly, whether it’s a recipe with grilled chicken or a recipe with shrimp, the creamy garlic sauce ties it all together. It’s one of those garlic shrimp recipes that makes you stop mid-bite and just smile.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe
3) Ingredients for Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce
4) How to Make Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce
5) Tips for Making Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce
6) Making Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce
8) Try these dinner recipes next!
9) Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

A rich grilled shrimp recipe that pairs steak and shrimp in one dish.
The creamy garlic sauce lifts both proteins with bold flavor.
You can swap steak with grilled chicken for variety.
Perfect for a grilled shrimp dinner with family or friends.

2) Easy Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

I know the word “surf and turf” can sound a little fancy, but don’t let it scare you. This dish is easier to pull off than you think. I’ve made it on weeknights when I just wanted something different. Steak gets a good sear, shrimp cooks fast, and the garlic sauce is ready before you can even set the table.

What I love most about this recipe is how it brings together two worlds. Shrimp carries the smoky char from the grill, and steak delivers that hearty bite you can really sink into. When I drizzle creamy garlic sauce over both, it feels indulgent but still manageable at home. That’s what keeps me coming back.

And yes, it’s one of those grilled shrimp recipes that makes everyone ask for seconds. Try it once, and I bet you’ll be hooked.

3) Ingredients for Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce

Steak: I prefer ribeye for its marbling and flavor, but you can use sirloin or strip steak if that’s what you have. The fat in ribeye melts beautifully on the grill.

Shrimp: Large shrimp, peeled and deveined, are best. They cook quickly and take on smoky grill marks that look just as good as they taste.

Olive Oil: A drizzle before grilling helps create that seared crust on both the shrimp and the steak.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic builds the base of the sauce. It softens in butter and makes the cream richer.

Heavy Cream: This gives the sauce its body. It balances the sharpness of garlic and makes the dish feel like something you’d order out.

Parmesan Cheese: Adds saltiness and depth. Freshly grated Parmesan always works better than pre-shredded.

Butter: Melts with garlic for a sauce that coats everything with flavor.

Paprika: A light dusting on shrimp before grilling gives it warmth and color.

Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley brightens the plate when sprinkled at the end.

4) How to Make Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce

Step 1. Pat the steaks dry and season with salt, pepper, and olive oil. That seasoning sticks better when the meat is dry.

Step 2. Grill steaks over medium-high heat for four to five minutes per side. Rest them so the juices stay inside.

Step 3. Toss shrimp with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Grill for about two minutes per side. They’ll turn pink and curl slightly when ready.

Step 4. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently.

Step 5. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. The sauce should coat a spoon lightly.

Step 6. Add grilled shrimp into the sauce and stir to coat. Serve steaks topped with creamy garlic shrimp.

Step 7. Finish with parsley on top and bring it to the table warm.

5) Tips for Making Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce

I’ve learned the little tricks that save time and make this recipe shine. For one, always let steak rest before slicing. If you cut too early, the juices run out and leave it dry. That’s a mistake you’ll only make once.

For shrimp, don’t walk away from the grill. They cook faster than you think, and overcooked shrimp get rubbery. I’ve been guilty of that when I got distracted.

And when making the sauce, don’t boil the cream. Keep it on a gentle simmer so it thickens without breaking. It takes patience, but it pays off when you spoon it over shrimp and steak. That creamy layer is worth the wait.

6) Making Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce Ahead of Time

I sometimes prep parts of this meal earlier in the day. I season the steak, peel the shrimp, and even chop garlic so everything is ready to go. That way, when dinner rolls around, I’m not scrambling.

The sauce can be made a few hours ahead, but keep it in the fridge and warm it slowly when you’re ready to serve. Stirring helps bring it back together.

If you want to enjoy a relaxed dinner, having things prepped ahead makes all the difference. When guests arrive, you can focus on the grilling and not the chopping board.

7) Storing Leftover Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce

I don’t usually have leftovers with this recipe, but when I do, I store them in airtight containers in the fridge. The shrimp and steak keep for about two days.

Reheat the steak gently in a skillet so it doesn’t dry out. Shrimp can be warmed in the sauce, but don’t let it cook too long again or it’ll get tough.

The sauce thickens in the fridge, so add a splash of cream when reheating. It brings it back to life and makes it silky again.

8) Try these dinner recipes next!

9) Surf and Turf with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe