If you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and downright addictive, this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is going to be your new go-to. I absolutely love how these tender, juicy chunks of steak get perfectly seared and then bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce that feels so fancy but takes hardly any time at all. Whether you want a fast dinner after work or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this recipe will not disappoint — and I can’t wait to share all my tips to make sure your steak bites come out restaurant-worthy every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy & Simple: You’ll have a delicious steak dinner ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
- Perfectly Seared Steak: The method creates a golden crust that’s packed with flavor and so satisfying.
- Garlic Butter Magic: The sauce is rich, buttery, and garlicky without overpowering the natural steak taste.
- Flexible & Customizable: You can easily swap steak cuts or adjust spice levels to suit your mood or occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together so beautifully — the steak brings hearty savoriness, the butter and garlic add richness and aroma, and the red pepper flakes give just a subtle kick. Quick tip: choosing a good quality cut like sirloin or rib eye really makes a difference here.
- Olive oil: Helps get a nice sear on your steak and adds a light fruitiness.
- Sirloin steak (or other steak cuts): I love sirloin for this because it balances tenderness and beefy flavor, but strip loin or rib eye work great too.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning that brings out all the natural steak goodness.
- Butter (unsalted): Adds richness and helps carry all those garlic flavors.
- Garlic (minced): The star that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and dresses the steak bites perfectly.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds a subtle heat; you can totally skip or adjust this depending on your spice preference.
- Fresh parsley (chopped): For a fresh pop of color and bright herbal note.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own depending on what’s in my pantry or the vibe I’m going for. The great thing is, this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is super versatile, so you can tweak it without losing any of the magic.
- Spicy Kick: Sometimes I add a dash more red pepper flakes or even a sprinkle of cayenne because my family loves things on the hotter side.
- Herb Twist: Swapping parsley for fresh thyme or rosemary can add a whole new level of flavor.
- Garlic Lovers’ Boost: I’ve doubled the garlic on occasion and it still never feels overpowering, but if you’re sensitive, start with less!
- Low-Carb Friendly: Perfect as is if you’re watching carbs—just pair with steamed veggies for a complete meal.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Get That Pan Smoking Hot
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until it’s shimmering and nearly smoking. This is key for developing a beautiful crust on your steak bites. If your pan isn’t hot enough, the meat will steam instead of sear, and that crust is where all the magic’s at.
Step 2: Sear the Steak Bites, Don’t Crowd the Pan
Add your bite-sized steak pieces to the hot skillet, sprinkling salt and pepper generously on top. Resist the urge to stir immediately; let them sit for about 2 minutes to develop that golden brown crust. Then give them a good stir and cook for another 2 minutes until they’re evenly browned. Pro tip: if your skillet starts to feel crowded, cook in batches to avoid steaming — your steak will thank you for it!
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce in the Same Pan
Once the steak bites are cooked, transfer them to a plate and lower the heat to medium. Add two tablespoons of unsalted butter to the same skillet. When it’s melted and bubbly, toss in your minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir for about 30 seconds—just until the garlic smells aromatic and starts to turn golden but doesn’t burn.
Step 4: Combine and Garnish
Pour the garlic butter sauce over your steak bites and toss everything gently to coat. Finish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately—you’ll find the steak bites juicy, flavorful, and downright irresistible.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Pat Steak Dry: Before cooking, pat your steak pieces dry with paper towels—this helps get a better sear and crust.
- Don’t Stir Too Soon: Let the meat sit and sear undisturbed for at least 2 minutes before moving it around; that crust is flavor gold.
- Add Garlic Last: Garlic burns quickly, so add it after the steak’s cooked to keep it from turning bitter.
- Cook In Batches If Needed: Overcrowding the pan lowers the temperature and steals that beautiful sear, so do smaller batches if your skillet is on the smaller side.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish with fresh chopped parsley because it adds a lovely pop of green and a mild herbal brightness that balances the richness of the butter and steak. Sometimes I add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice too — it’s a small touch that really lifts the whole dish.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides for this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe are simple roasted veggies, creamy mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad. I’ve also had great success serving it alongside garlic bread or over buttered egg noodles for a comforting meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party appetizer, I’ve served these steak bites on skewers with a little ramekin of the garlic butter sauce for dipping. Another favorite is layering them over grilled crostini topped with a sprinkle of parmesan — it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you reheat them, treat them gently to keep the meat tender and avoid drying out the garlic butter sauce.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these steak bites successfully—just cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to retain the best texture.
Reheating
For reheating, I prefer warming them gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep things moist. Avoid microwaving if you can since it tends to dry out the steak and dull the garlic butter flavors.
FAQs
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Can I use other cuts of steak for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin is a favorite because of its balance of tenderness and flavor, you can use strip loin, tenderloin, rib eye, or even strip steak. Just make sure to cut the steak into even, bite-sized pieces for quick and uniform cooking.
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How do I get a good sear without overcooking the steak bites?
The key is using a hot pan and only a single layer of steak bites without overcrowding. Let the pieces cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes before stirring, allowing a crust to form. Cooking in batches if needed helps maintain high heat for the best sear without overcooking.
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What if I don’t have fresh garlic — can I use garlic powder?
Fresh garlic is preferred for its bright, aromatic flavor, but in a pinch, you can use garlic powder. Add it toward the end of cooking to avoid burning. Just note you won’t get quite the same fresh garlic punch as with minced garlic.
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Is this recipe spicy?
The red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth, but the dish isn’t overly spicy. You can easily skip or reduce the red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe has become one of those dishes I come back to when I want something simple yet impressive. The way that buttery garlic sauce clings to those perfectly seared steak bites — honestly, it feels like a little celebration on a plate. I hope you give it a try and enjoy the process as much as the result. Trust me, your kitchen and your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Garlic Butter Steak Bites are a quick and flavorful appetizer or main dish featuring tender, juicy sirloin steak pieces seared to perfection and tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality steak bites at home with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Steak and Seasoning
- 1½ pound sirloin steak (cut into bite size pieces, or strip loin, tenderloin, strip steak or rib eye)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat the skillet and oil: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet and heat it over high heat until very hot to ensure a good sear on the steak.
- Cook the steak bites: Add the steak pieces to the hot oil, then season generously with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Let the steak cook without stirring for at least 2 minutes to develop a golden brown crust.
- Continue cooking and searing: Stir the steak pieces and cook for another 2 minutes or until they are golden brown on all sides. If your pan is small, cook the steak in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Remove steak and prepare garlic butter: Transfer the cooked steak bites to a plate. Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to the same skillet, and wait for it to melt.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: Add 4 cloves minced garlic and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the melted butter. Cook while stirring for about 30 seconds until garlic becomes aromatic and lightly browned.
- Toss steak with garlic butter: Pour the garlic butter sauce over the steak bites in a bowl or serving dish and toss well to coat evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley over the steak bites and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pat the steak dry before cooking to ensure a better crust; moisture prevents proper searing.
- Use a hot pan and avoid stirring too early to get a good sear on the steak.
- Add garlic after cooking the steak to avoid burning the garlic.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook the steak in batches if necessary for even cooking.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a pleasant spicy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
