How to Cook the Perfect Rump Steak is a simple, reliable method for creating tender, flavourful steak with a beautifully golden crust. Using rump steak, oil, butter, garlic cloves, herbs, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper, this recipe keeps things easy while delivering excellent results.
Cooking steak well is all about a few simple techniques, and this method works beautifully for achieving a juicy centre and rich flavour every time. It’s perfect for an easy dinner when you want something satisfying without too much fuss.
Originally published October 16, 2023. Updated May 11, 2026.

Simple tips for cooking restaurant-style rump steak
Cooking the perfect steak is something people are always asking me about. It is one of those kitchen tasks that we tend to overthink. Some people have it nailed, everyone seems to have their favourite method but I wanted to share how I do it that is perfect every time.
A delicious high quality cut of meat, each sliced into the perfect uniform thickness which makes cooking a breeze.
I am no expert but I hope these few tips are useful next time you are cooking up a delicious meal.

How do you cook rump steak for different preferences?
Cooking steak for the family can be tricky if everyone prefers their meat cooked a certain way from rare to well done, however with this technique the steak is cooked beautifully and oh so tender that even the fussiest will enjoy it.

Ingredients used to create the perfect rump steak
You only need a few ingredients:
- Beef Rump Steak
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Butter
- Garlic Cloves
- Thyme or Rosemary
You can absolutely cook the steak without the butter part of the recipe, but the flavours are a lovely touch.

How should you prepare and season rump steak before cooking?
There are a few key things to do to ensure your steak is perfect every time:
The Steak:
Choose a lovely looking lean piece of rump steak, sliced to the perfect thickness of around an inch, for a better cooking result. If your cut of steak is thicker adjust the cooking time.
Preparation:
Allow the rump steak to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes this allows the meat to cook more evenly as it is no longer cold in parts, then pat dry with a paper towel before seasoning.
Seasoning:
Always season your rump steak well, using a simple combination of salt and pepper, liberally season just before cooking. Some like to create a marinade, but simple is just as good.

Heat & Pan:
If possible choose a heavy bottomed frying pan for uniform searing of your steak, but any frying pan will do, and have the pan on a high heat, the oil should be near smoking.
Searing:
Sear the steak to lock in maximum flavour, you only need to cook 2-3 minutes per side for a medium rare steak, depending on how you like your steak cooked. Cooking on a high heat ensures the outside of the steak caramelizes and creates maximum flavour.

Basting:
Creating a basting sauce of butter, smashed garlic and either thyme or rosemary is a lovely simple way to elevate your steak. This is added as soon as you turn the steak, to create a basting liquid to smother your steak in, creating even more flavour and a succulent moist finish.
Rendering:
Render any fat on the side of the steak for around 1 minute by holding the steak on its side to cook down the fat on the edge of the piece of rump steak.

Resting:
Remove the steak from the heat quickly as soon as the time is up, each side only needs 2-3 minutes, then allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes on a warmed plate or wooden board, loosely covered in foil. This allows the delicious juices to stay inside the steak and create a moist decadent mouthful.

How to Cook The Perfect Rump Steak Recipe

How to Cook The Perfect Rump Steak
How to Cook the Perfect Rump Steak is an easy, dependable method for creating juicy, tender steak with a golden crust and rich flavour every time.
Ingredients
- 600 grams Countdown's Own Rump Steak
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- 50 grams Butter, diced
- 3 Garlic Cloves, peeled and crushed
- 3-4 sprigs of Thyme or Rosemary
Instructions
- Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to rest
- Pat the steak dry with a paper towel
- Prepare the diced butter, peeled and smashed garlic cloves and herbs and set aside
- Season the rump steak generously with salt and pepper
- Coat your frying pan with a thin layer of olive oil ensuring even coverage, can wipe this around with a paper towel or pastry brush
- Heat the frying pan to a high heat, almost smoking
- Add the seasoned steak to the hot frying pan carefully, laying the steak away from you
- Sear the steak at the high heat for 2-3 minutes until richly coloured then turn
- Move the steak to the side of the frying pan and immediately add the butter, garlic and herbs and once the butter has melted, drizzle this continuously over the steak, cooking for 2-3 minutes total
- Sear the fat on the edge of the steak to render this down, for 1 minute
- Remove the basted steak from the pan including the softened garlic and herbs and place on a warmed plate or wooden board
- Cover loosely with foil and allow the steak to rest for 5-10 minutes to ensure the juices reabsorb for maximum tenderness
- Slice the steak on an angle and serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 2 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 856Total Fat 55gSaturated Fat 26gUnsaturated Fat 29gCholesterol 308mgSodium 265mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 80g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Can you adjust the cooking times to suit your preference?
The recommended cooking times can absolutely be adjusted to suit your preferred way of enjoying steak and the cut you choose, but for our family these timings are perfect.

How easy is that! I hope you find this method of cooking the perfect rump steak to be useful! And I look forward to hearing all about your perfectly cooked steak.
If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments. You can also leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card above, it really helps others find and enjoy this recipe too.
You can also find me over on Facebook and Instagram for more baking and cooking inspiration, or join my newsletter to receive my latest recipes straight to your inbox.
Happy baking,
Anna x




stupendous says
Who thought it would be that easy? definitely not me, I had given up on this cut of meat as a pan-fried ready to eat within 10 minutes. Alright good time 20 minutes helps. I skipped the out of fridge warm -up. Basically I’d stopped buying rump until today there was no choice. Better get help duckduckgo it .
A holler of thanks for your recipe and instructions. Great photos too.
Nifty way of rendering down that slice of fat as well, got me to delve for my long barbecue tongs.
Maureen Kemp says
This was just the perfect rump steak.
Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
justamumnz says
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
Ashleigh says
Made this for dinner it was brilliant! Thanks for such a simple and fast recipe for rump steak delicious!