If you love juicy burgers and rich seafood flavors, these Surf and Turf Burgers are a must-try. This recipe combines perfectly grilled ribeye steak, warm lobster meat, and a juicy hamburger patty to create the ultimate surf n turf burger experience.
And maybe the best part of the Surf and Turf recipe? The spicy butter. Made with clarified butter, it ties everything together, delivering a bold, flavorful finish in every freakin’ delicious bite. Or maybe it’s the toasty and golden brown buns? I guess you’ll have to decide after we transform this classic dish into an epic and memorable meal.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Surf and Turf Burgers
These burgers bring together everything you love: smoky red meat, buttery seafood, and then those melty toppings. Topped with a drizzle of spicy compound butter, they’re loaded with bold flavors in every bite. Whether you’re grilling during the summer or craving comfort food in cooler months, this turf recipe fits any time of year.
They’re easy to customize, too—try Swiss cheese, onion straws, or even a touch of Worcestershire sauce to make the top of the burger your own. Perfect for a backyard barbecue or a laid-back dinner, these burgers are fun to make and even better to eat. Whether you’re a food blog enthusiast or just looking for the best burgers, don’t miss out on this epic and indulgent recipe.
If you love the Surf and Turf vibes, check out my Best Surf and Turf Recipes. One of my all-time faves is undoubtedly the Surf and Turf Sliders!
Ingredients Round-Up
- Burgers – Use ground beef patties, slices of your favorite cheese, and some good burger buns. Brioche buns or any burger buns you prefer work fine. We’ll season the meat with some more Cowboy Butter Rub, my new go-to seasoning, to make the beef flavors pop.
- Steak – You’ll also need a thick-cut ribeye, a bold steak rub like my Cowboy Butter Rub and some FYR BLK Hot Sauce for the binder.
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- Lobster – Grab some claw meat, unsalted butter, and then a seafood seasoning like Old Bay or your favorite seafood rub.
- Spicy Butter – You’ll need clarified butter, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped chives, red chili flakes, and then some cayenne powder for the spicy kick.
How to Make Clarified Butter
If you don’t want to buy clarified butter, you can easily make it at home!
To make clarified butter, start by melting unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat. As it melts, you’ll notice a foamy layer forming on top and milk solids sinking to the bottom. Let the butter gently simmer, but avoid stirring. This allows the water to evaporate and the milk solids to separate completely.
Once the butter is fully melted and clear, skim off the foam with a spoon and carefully pour the golden liquid into a clean container, leaving the milk solids behind. For extra clarity, strain it through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Store your clarified butter in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for later use. It’s perfect for high-heat cooking and recipes like spicy butter for Surf and Turf Burgers!
These ingredients ensure that the Surf and Turf Burgers are packed with bold and memorable flavors. Whether you’re grilling for a cookout or treating yourself to something special, this recipe will have everyone coming back for more. So, let’s get grilling!
How to Make Surf and Turf Burgers
For our epic Surf and Turf Burgers, we’ll start with the steak and burgers. First, coat both the ribeye and burgers with the FYR BLK Hot Sauce, then season generously with my Cowboy Butter Rub. Let them chill in the fridge while you make the spicy butter.
Make the spicy butter for the surf and turf burgers by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl. Stir until well combined, then set it aside.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 375F, for two-zone indirect cooking. Place the ribeye and burgers on the grill. Cook the ribeye about 4–6 minutes per side until it reaches an internal temperature of 120F for medium-rare. Flipping as needed to prevent too much charr.
Cook the burger patties to your desired level of doneness. During their last minute of cooking, place cheese slices on the patties to melt.
Once done, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing it thinly.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt some butter. Add the lobster meat and seafood seasoning, stirring to coat. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the lobster is warmed through and buttery.
Assemble the burgers by starting with the bottom bun, adding the burger patty, slices of steak, and the buttery lobster meat. Drizzle spicy butter over the top, place the top bun, and serve immediately.
What to Serve with Surf & Turf Burgers
These surf and turf burgers pair well with French fries, crispy onion straws, or sweet potato fries. For a full seafood experience, you could make a fresh lobster salad—or serve the burgers alongside some crab cakes. For drinks, try a cold beer or a refreshing lemonade to balance the rich flavors.
Leftover Surf and Turf Burgers & Reheating Instructions
If you have leftovers, wrap the steak and lobster separately in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Any longer, and you’ll be in trouble with the health department.
To reheat, gently warm the lobster in a skillet over medium-low heat with a little melted butter. Heat the burger patties on a hot griddle to keep them juicy. Avoid microwaving, as it can dry out the ingredients.
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FAQs for Surf and Turf Burgers
Yes, shrimp works perfectly. Sauté it in butter with a seafood rub for a flavorful topping that’s just as tasty as lobster.
I get it. It’s not a combo everyone loves. While cheese adds a creamy layer, you can skip it if you prefer not to pair cheese with seafood. Although, who doesn’t love Lobster Mac and Cheese? Either way, the burgers will undoubtedly remain so freakin’ delicious!
Ribeye is a great choice for its marbling and flavor, but you can also use strip steak, filet mignon, or even flank steak for a leaner option.
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Surf and Turf Burger
Ingredients
Steak:
- 1 Large Ribeye Steak
- 3 tbsp Cowboy Butter Rub
- FYR BLK Hot Sauce binder
Lobster:
- 2 cups Lobster Claw Meat
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Seafood Rub
Burgers:
- 3-4 Burger Patties
- 2 tbsp Cowboy Butter Rub
- 3-4 Cheese Slices
- 3-4 Burger Buns
Spicy Butter:
- 1 cup Clarified Butter
- 1 medium Lemon juiced
- 2 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Chopped Chives
- 2 tsp Red Chili Flakes
- 1 tsp Cayenne Powder
Instructions
- Slather your steak and burgers with my FYR BLK Hot Sauce and generously season with my Cowboy Butter Rub or your favorite steak rub. Set in the fridge until ready to cook.
- In a bowl, mix the spicy butter ingredients and set to the side.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 375F) for two zone indirect cooking.
- Next, add your steak to the grill and cook for 4-6 minutes per side or until they are 120F. Once the steaks are done, pull off to let rest for 10 minutes. When done resting, slice the steaks.
- Add your burgers to the grill and season with cowboy butter rub. Cook until done to your liking then melt cheese over the top. Pull off once done.
- Add a cast iron skillet to the grill with butter to melt. Add the lobster meat and seafood rub to the skillet and mix together. Cook for 5 minutes over a low simmer, then pull off and keep warm.
- Build your burger with burger patty, sliced steak and lobster on top. Drizzle some spicy butter over everything and dive right in. Enjoy!
Love this burger. Made it last night and it turned out perfect,