NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp: 1 Great Bite

Oh my gosh, the New Year is sneaking up on us again! Are you feeling the pressure to create a showstopper meal? Forget complicated reservations or days spent cooking! I want to share my absolute favorite way to ring in the New Year with something that looks like it took hours but really takes less than 30 minutes. Trust me when I say this NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp is the definition of ‘Fast Fancy’—it looks incredible, tastes even better, and here’s the best part: it’s completely safe for my family’s tricky dietary needs, being naturally gluten-free and low-carb!

I remember the first New Year’s Eve dinner I prepared after my son was diagnosed with celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes. I wanted to create a festive experience that made him feel included, so I decided on a “Surf and Turf” theme. As I confidently seared the steak while simultaneously grilling shrimp, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the dish turned out to be a hit, not just with him, but with the whole family. It became a treasured tradition to ring in the new year with that meal, as it symbolized the joy of adaptation and the endless possibilities of cooking within our new dietary guidelines. That night, we celebrated not just the turn of the year, but the flavor and creativity that thrived in my safe kitchen. You can learn more about my journey working within these restrictions over here on my About page.

Why This NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp is Your Perfect Celebration Meal

When the clock is ticking toward midnight, you don’t want a fussy recipe, right? This steak and shrimp dinner is my secret weapon because it nails the trifecta: total cook time is under 30 minutes, which is amazing for something this impressive. It’s totally a ‘Fast Fancy’ dish that guarantees you feel like you’re dining out!

Plus, it’s my go-to ‘Crowd Pleaser’ that doesn’t require any stressful substitutions. If you’re looking for amazing restaurant-style dinner ideas at home, this is it. You won’t believe how simple it is to make a showstopper like this—check out some other fantastic dinner ideas everyone asks for while you’re at it!

Dietary Confidence: Gluten-Free and Low-Carb NYE Dinner Ideas

This recipe is a dream for my kitchen because it’s naturally compliant. We aren’t dealing with any mysterious flour thickeners or sugary glazes here! The core ingredients—steak, shrimp, butter, herbs—are inherently low-carb and gluten-free. When you’re managing dietary restrictions, knowing your main course is safe lets you relax and actually enjoy the party. As a specialist in cross-contamination safety, I ensure every step in this NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp focuses on keeping things clean and delicious for everyone celebrating with you.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp

When we make this Surf And Turf, I always lay everything out first. It’s so fast that the moment you start cooking, things happen quickly! We only need a handful of really high-quality items, which is why this dinner feels so luxurious. Everything needs to be ready to go because searing doesn’t wait!

For the steak, we are using a full pound of filet mignon, which gives us two beautiful steaks, about an inch and a half thick each. Don’t skimp on separating your seasonings—we use fine sea salt and black pepper specifically for the steak first. Then, for that incredible garlic-rosemary bath, you’ll need unsalted butter, fresh garlic cloves (just peeled and quartered, no need to mince!), and a single sprig of rosemary.

The shrimp part uses about twelve ounces of large shrimp—I like them tail-on because it just looks fancier for New Year’s, and they need to be peeled and deveined. Finally, for that perfect pan sear, you need a little high-heat oil, like vegetable oil. If you haven’t checked out some of my other low-carb must-haves yet, you should!

Ingredient Spotlight: Choosing the Best Steak and Shrimp

For the filet mignon, aim for those beautiful 1.5-inch thick cuts. That thickness is your safety net! It lets you get a gorgeous crust without overcooking the middle. For the shrimp, I always look for a 21 to 25 count per pound size. They plump up beautifully in that butter sauce and firm up fast, which is exactly what you want for this NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp.

How to Prepare Your NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp

Okay, deep breath! This is where the magic happens, but we have to move fast. The absolute first thing is drying, drying, drying! Pat both your shrimp and those beautiful steaks completely dry with paper towels. Excess moisture is the enemy of a good sear, and we want that gorgeous crust for our low-carb NYE dinner. Before we get going, know that this method for searing is shared by some of the best cooks out there, like Natasha’s Kitchen handles their surf and turf recipe, so we are in good company!

Once they are bone dry, we season—use that initial measure of salt and pepper generously on the steak. Now, crank that cast-iron skillet up! You want it ripping hot—seriously, wait until you see the oil just starting to smoke a tiny bit before you swirl in that vegetable oil. You can check out some of my foolproof heating tips for other recipes here, but the principle is the same: high heat equals instant sear.

Searing the Steak for Maximum Flavor

Lay those seasoned filets down gently away from you in the hot skillet. Don’t touch them for four full minutes! We need that dark brown crust to develop. Flip them over, sear the second side for about 3 to 4 minutes, and then use those tongs to stand the steak up and crisp the edges, too. Remember, we are aiming for perfection here, so have that meat thermometer ready! You pull the steak 10 degrees early—this is key to keeping that filet tender, which is essential for a perfectly executed steak and shrimp meal.

Creating the Garlic-Rosemary Pan Sauce for Your Steak And Shrimp

Once the steaks are off resting under foil (don’t skip that resting time!), immediately drop the heat to medium. Toss in your butter, the quartered garlic, and that beautiful rosemary sprig. Let that melt and infuse—it should smell incredible! Once it’s fragrant, spread your seasoned shrimp in a single layer and only cook them about a minute per side until they just turn pink and opaque. Immediately pull the whole skillet off the heat so those delicate shrimp don’t turn rubbery! This wonderful sauce is what makes this NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp feel so fancy.

Tips for Success When Making NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp

I know it seems like a lot of moving parts, but honestly, success comes down to just two things: making sure everything is dry and nailing the temperature. If you skip patting those filets and shrimp dry, you’ll end up steaming your food instead of getting that gorgeous sear we talked about. That’s my first golden rule for any perfectly cooked protein, even if it’s not chicken!

The other big trust-builder is resting the steak. Seriously, don’t cut into the filet right when it comes off the heat! Those juices need time to settle back into the meat fibers. Give your beautiful steaks at least five minutes resting time under that loose foil tent. This step ensures every bite of your Surf And Turf is tender and juicy, making your NYE celebration perfect.

Achieving Perfect Steak Doneness Temperatures

This is where the meat thermometer becomes your best friend, especially when you’re sticking to low-carb or strict dietary goals where consistency matters. Remember the crucial trick: you pull the filet mignon out of the pan when it’s about 10 degrees shy of your final goal. The steak keeps cooking on the plate while it rests—we call that carryover cooking! For a perfect medium finish, pull that steak at 125˚F so it hits 135˚F while resting. This simple hack is the secret to never having a dry Steak And Shrimp combo!

Serving Suggestions for Your NYE Dinner Ideas

Now that we’ve nailed the main event—the best NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp—we need some sides that keep the whole meal feeling festive and fancy, right? Since this dish is naturally low-carb and gluten-free, we want sides that match that luxurious quality without adding hidden sugars or starches. Think green, think bright!

You can’t go wrong with a simple, bright green vegetable that pops against that rich steak. Asparagus spears roasted with just a little olive oil and lemon zest are my absolute favorite pairing. They cook right alongside the steak resting time, making things super efficient! For an even more elegant touch to your NYE Dinner Ideas, try quickly sautéed spinach with garlic. Keep it simple, keep it flavorful, and let that steak and shrimp shine!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Steak And Shrimp

What if you actually have leftovers of this amazing NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp? That never happens in my house, but I know some folks plan ahead! The important thing is how you store them. Try to keep the steak and shrimp separate if you can, especially if you made a lot of that beautiful garlic-rosemary butter sauce.

When reheating, low and slow is the name of the game. Never microwave shrimp, please! That turns them into tiny pink erasers. Instead, gently warm the steak in a dry pan over very low heat just until warmed through. You can reheat the shrimp quickly in a separate pan with maybe just a tiny knob of plain butter—no more garlic or rosemary needed, as that flavor is already infused.

If you want to check out more genius ways to handle food after the celebration, my main recipe index page has tons of tips for managing leftovers in a low-carb way!

Frequently Asked Questions About NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp

I always get questions when folks try this recipe for the first time, especially since we are juggling steak timing and shrimp timing! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you can’t find your answer here—you can always contact me using my contact form!

Can I substitute the steak cut in this NYE Surf and Turf?

Absolutely! While filet mignon is super tender, you can certainly use a nice thick-cut ribeye or New York strip for your Surf And Turf. Just be aware that thicker cuts need a little extra time to hit that perfect internal temperature since they don’t cook as fast in the center as the filet does. Start checking the temp about a minute sooner than you think.

Is this Steak And Shrimp recipe suitable for meal prepping ahead of time?

This is best enjoyed fresh, honestly! You can totally do the prep work ahead of time: wash and season your shrimp, cut and measure your butter, and even chop your garlic. Those steps save tons of time on New Year’s Eve! However, you must sear the steak and cook the shrimp right before serving. They cook so fast that reheating them afterward just ruins that gorgeous texture we worked so hard for.

Estimated Nutritional Data for NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp

Okay, let’s talk numbers for our lovely low-carb NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp! Since this meal relies on beautiful fats from the butter and steak, the macros are fantastic for keeping us energized until midnight. For one serving of this incredible Steak And Shrimp combo, you’re looking at roughly 550 calories, about 55 grams of protein, 35 grams of fat, and importantly, under 2 grams of net carbs!

Now, this is a big one: these numbers are just estimates based on lean filet and standard-sized shrimp. Since precise sourcing and how much of that glorious garlic butter you drizzle on really changes things, please treat this as a guideline for your low-carb planning, especially since you can find great ideas for low-carb sides elsewhere.

Share Your New Year’s Celebration Meal

I truly hope this NYE Surf and Turf: Steak + Shrimp brings some celebratory joy and flavor to your table! Let me know in the comments below if you tried it and what special New Year’s tradition you shared it with. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your beautiful plate; I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on social media so I can share your success with everyone!

If you’re looking for more easy, safe, and fancy dinner ideas that fit perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle, head over to my main Dinner category page!