If you love steak and garlic, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe. It’s quick, packed with flavor, and perfect for those nights when you want something fancy without a fuss. I absolutely love how the garlic butter coats every tender bite of steak, making it impossible not to go back for seconds. Stick around and I’ll share everything you need to nail this dish in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick to Make: From start to finish, this recipe takes just around 15 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
- Bursting with Flavor: The garlic butter adds richness and a kick of heat from the red pepper flakes that makes every bite exciting.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need already in your kitchen, no need for fancy stuff.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: My family goes crazy for this, and it works as an appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing the right steak and fresh ingredients makes all the difference here. I always recommend getting a good quality sirloin or rib eye for that tender texture, and fresh garlic is a must to really get those deep garlicky flavors.
- Olive oil: Helps to sear the steak quickly and adds a subtle fruitiness that complements the butter.
- Sirloin steak (or strip loin, tenderloin, rib eye): Sirloin is a great balance of tenderness and flavor; cut it into bite-sized pieces so every morsel gets a perfect sear.
- Salt and pepper: Basic but essential—season generously for maximum flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Melts into a luscious sauce, letting you control the salt level perfectly.
- Garlic (minced): The star of the show—adds a rich, fragrant punch that complements the steak beautifully.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional, but trust me, the slight heat brings this dish to life.
- Fresh parsley: A fresh pop of color and brightness that rounds everything out nicely.
Variations
I like to switch things up depending on the mood and what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to tweak the red pepper flakes or swap parsley for other fresh herbs—you’ll find this recipe is pretty forgiving and easy to make your own.
- Spicy Kick: I once added extra red pepper flakes and a dash of smoked paprika; it gave the dish a smoky, spicy edge my whole family loved.
- Herb Swap: Instead of parsley, fresh thyme or rosemary works beautifully, adding a woodsy aroma that pairs perfectly with steak.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter, dairy-free twist; the garlic and steak flavors still shine.
- Mushroom Addition: Toss in sliced mushrooms towards the end, cooking them in the garlic butter—super tasty and makes for a heartier dish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Heat Things Up
Start by patting your steak pieces dry with paper towels — this bit makes a big difference because no moisture means your steak gets a beautiful crust instead of steaming. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until it’s shimmering hot; a hot pan is the secret to that perfect sear you’re after!
Step 2: Sear Those Steak Bites
Add the steak pieces to the hot skillet in a single layer and season immediately with salt and pepper. Resist the urge to stir right away — let them cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes to get a lovely golden crust. Then, stir and cook for another couple of minutes until browned all over. If your pan feels crowded, cook in batches; overcrowding causes steaming and prevents that delicious sear.
Step 3: Garlic Butter Magic
Transfer the cooked steak bites to a plate to rest while you make the garlic butter sauce right in the same skillet—this keeps all those flavorful browned bits. Turn heat down to medium, add the butter, and once melted, toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant and just starts to brown (don’t let it burn!).
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Pour that garlicky butter over your steak bites and toss everything together to coat evenly. Finish with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and color. Serve immediately—because once the butter sauce sits, that magic starts to fade!
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Dry Your Steak Thoroughly: I discovered this trick early on—if your steak’s wet, it won’t sear properly, so pat it dry before cooking.
- Don’t Rush the Sear: I used to stir too soon and missed that crusty exterior; patience here makes all the difference.
- Garlic Comes After Steak: Adding garlic after the steak means it cooks gently and doesn’t burn—that’s a game changer for flavor.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cooking in batches ensures each piece touches the pan and crisps up instead of steaming.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle fresh parsley on top—it adds a lovely burst of color and fresh flavor that balances the richness. Sometimes, I like to add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving if I want a bright zing that cuts through the butteriness.
Side Dishes
This garlic butter steak pairs perfectly with simple sides like roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or a light arugula salad. When I’m feeling indulgent, creamy risotto or buttery garlic bread always takes it to the next level.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special dinner, I love serving these steak bites on skewers with a drizzle of extra garlic butter and chopped herbs. It makes for a fancy appetizer that’s easy to eat and looks impressive without any fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge and they stay great for up to 3 days. Just make sure they cool down before sealing the container to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
Freezing works well if you want to prep ahead. I freeze the cooled steak bites flat in a freezer bag, and they hold up nicely for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheating gently in a skillet over medium heat with a little butter helps keep the steak tender and the garlic butter sauce fresh. Avoid microwaving if you can—it tends to dry the meat out.
FAQs
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What cut of steak is best for Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe?
I find sirloin is a great choice because it’s tender yet budget-friendly, but rib eye, strip loin, or tenderloin also work beautifully. Just make sure to cut the steak into even, bite-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with extra olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative. The flavors will still be amazing, though you’ll lose a bit of the rich, silky texture butter brings.
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How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
I add garlic only after removing the steak and lowering the heat. Cooking it gently in melted butter for just 30 seconds gets the flavor without burning it. Burnt garlic tastes bitter and can ruin the dish.
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Can I cook the steak bites ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the steak bites ahead and store them in the fridge. Reheat slowly in a pan with some butter to retain moisture and flavor. Just avoid reheating multiple times as it can toughen the meat.
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What sides pair well with Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe?
I love pairing these steak bites with garlic mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a crisp salad. For a treat, creamy risotto or buttery bread help soak up all that divine garlic butter sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want something fast but feel like I’m indulging. It’s packed with big flavor, super easy to pull together, and always impresses guests—plus, your kitchen will smell incredible while it cooks! I encourage you to give it a try exactly as is, and then play around with variations to make it your own. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll be a new favorite in your recipe rotation.
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Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Garlic Butter Steak Bites are tender, juicy pieces of sirloin steak seared to perfection in a hot skillet, then tossed in a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes and fresh parsley. This quick and easy dish is perfect for a savory weeknight dinner or a special occasion, delivering a restaurant-quality taste in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Steak
- 1½ pounds sirloin steak (cut into bite-size pieces; alternatives: strip loin, tenderloin, strip steak, or rib eye)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the Olive Oil: Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Cook the Steak Bites: Add the steak pieces to the hot skillet and season generously with salt and pepper. Let them sear undisturbed for at least 2 minutes to develop a golden crust, then stir and continue cooking another 2 minutes until evenly golden brown. If the skillet is overcrowded, cook in batches to ensure proper searing.
- Remove and Rest the Steak: Transfer the cooked steak bites to a plate while you prepare the garlic butter sauce in the same skillet.
- Make the Garlic Butter: Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds while stirring constantly until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to brown, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine and Garnish: Pour the garlic butter over the steak bites and toss well to evenly coat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Pat the steak dry before cooking to remove moisture for better browning and crust formation.
- Use a very hot pan and avoid stirring the steak too soon to ensure a good sear.
- Add garlic after cooking the steak to prevent it from burning and turning bitter.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook steak bites in batches if necessary for even cooking and browning.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat to balance the richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 6 oz steak bites with sauce)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
