There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of tender steak bits hitting a hot pan, especially when they’re coated in rich, garlicky butter. This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is one of those dishes that’s wildly satisfying and surprisingly simple, making it a go-to whenever I want something delicious without the fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m always amazed at how such a few simple ingredients can come together to create something so rich and flavorful. This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe hits all the right notes—juicy steak, buttery garlic goodness, and a bit of heat from red pepper flakes. It’s comfort food elevated and perfect for impressing without stress.
- Quick and Easy: You’re minutes away from steak perfection, ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Bold Flavor: Garlic butter marries beautifully with tender steak bites for a savory, aromatic punch.
- Minimal Ingredients: No fancy sauces or marinades needed — just steak, butter, garlic, and a few simple seasonings.
- Versatile and Shareable: Great as a main dish, appetizer, or party snack—everyone loves these irresistible bites.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a vital role in creating that rich, juicy bite. Choosing the right cut of steak and fresh garlic makes all the difference. Plus, you only need a handful of pantry staples to bring it all to life.
- Olive oil: Helps achieve a beautiful sear while adding subtle fruitiness—make sure it’s good quality.
- Sirloin steak (or alternative cuts): Tender cuts like strip loin or ribeye work well; just cut them into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the natural beef flavor and bring balance.
- Butter: The star for richness and that luscious, creamy coating—unsalted lets you control saltiness better.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives you a fragrant, vibrant punch that melds perfectly with the butter.
- Red pepper flakes: A little heat wakes up the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbal brightness right before serving.
Make It Your Way
I love to tweak this recipe depending on mood or occasion—you can easily dial up spice, swap in different herbs, or even try it with chicken if steak isn’t on hand. Personalizing it keeps it exciting every time you make it.
- Variation: Adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce during the butter garlic step adds a tangy depth I’ve grown to really enjoy.
- Dietary tweak: Swap butter for ghee or a plant-based alternative to make it dairy-free while retaining richness.
- Heat factor: I sometimes toss in extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne when I want a bolder kick.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme or rosemary can be great swaps for parsley, depending on what you have fresh at home.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Pan Smoking Hot and Add Olive Oil
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. You want that oil shimmering and just about to smoke—that steady high heat is what gives you a perfect sear, locking in juices and flavor. Don't rush this step; patience here is key.
Step 2: Sear the Steak Pieces Without Stirring
Once the oil is hot, add your steak bites seasoned with salt and pepper. Resist the urge to stir immediately. Let the meat sit untouched for about 2 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust. This sear is what makes the bites so irresistible. After that, toss or stir gently and cook for another 2 minutes until all sides are beautifully browned. If your pan is small, do this in batches—crowding the pan steams the steak instead of searing it.
Step 3: Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic with Red Pepper Flakes
Transfer the cooked steak bites to a serving plate and reduce the skillet heat to medium. Toss in butter and let it melt slowly, then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to a minute, just until the garlic becomes fragrant and starts turning golden but not burnt. This step releases all the aromatic flavors into the butter sauce.
Step 4: Coat Steak Bites with Garlic Butter and Garnish
Pour the luscious garlic butter over the steak bites and toss until they're all nicely coated. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley for freshness and color. Serve immediately while everything is sizzling and warm—this is when these bites truly shine.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe dozens of times, here are a few tips that make the process smoother and results better.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking in batches ensures each bite crisps and sears evenly without steaming.
- Use Room Temperature Steak: Letting the steak sit out 20 minutes before cooking helps it sear properly and cook evenly.
- Timing Garlic Just Right: Garlic burns quickly, so only sauté it briefly in the melted butter to keep that lovely nuttiness.
- Rest Steak Bites Briefly: Allowing the steak bites a minute to rest after cooking locks in juices and keeps them tender.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley—it adds the perfect pop of color and a touch of brightness. Sometimes, I toss on a little grated Parmesan for a cheesy twist or even a squeeze of lemon juice to cut through the richness.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides with these steak bites include garlicky mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or a crisp green salad. If I’m feeling indulgent, buttery garlic bread on the side is an absolute winner—you’ll find yourself dipping bites into every last drop of that sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like serving these steak bites on a platter with toothpicks for easy snacking. You can also place them on toasted baguette slices topped with a bit of blue cheese and herbs to impress guests with minimal effort. Trust me, they disappear fast!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To prevent them from drying out, I keep the garlic butter sauce separate if possible, then toss everything back together when reheating.
Freezing
This recipe freezes okay, but because of the garlic butter, I recommend freezing only the steak bites plain and adding the butter sauce fresh when you’re ready to eat. This keeps flavors vibrant and textures more appealing.
Reheating
To reheat, I gently warm the steak bites in a skillet over medium heat, adding a touch of fresh butter or olive oil if they seem dry. This brings back that lovely sear and keeps the steak tender. Microwaving tends to toughen them, so I try to avoid that.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Sirloin is a popular choice since it balances tenderness and cost, but you can use strip loin, ribeye, tenderloin, or strip steak. Just pick a cut you enjoy and cut it into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the steak and avoid overcrowding it. Cook in batches if needed and keep the cook time short—about 2 minutes per side—depending on your preference for doneness.
Yes! You can substitute butter with ghee, olive oil, or a plant-based butter alternative. Just be aware that butter adds a distinctive richness, but these swaps will still yield tasty results.
The red pepper flakes add a gentle background heat that complements the garlic butter without overwhelming it. You can always adjust the amount or omit them if you prefer milder flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen arsenal because it delivers incredible flavor in almost no time. I love how it’s both fancy enough for guests and simple enough for a quick dinner. Give it a try—you’ll find yourself coming back to this one again and again, just like I do.
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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
These Garlic Butter Steak Bites are quick, juicy, and totally addictive. Seared until golden and drenched in garlicky butter, they’re ready in 15 minutes and perfect for dinner, parties, or straight-from-the-skillet snacking. No grill, no marinade, no fuss.
Ingredients
Steak Bites
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 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)
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat the skillet, Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat it over high heat. Make sure the olive oil is hot before adding steak pieces.
- Cook steak bites, Add the steak pieces to the hot skillet and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for at least 2 minutes without stirring to get a good sear, then continue cooking for another 2 minutes until golden brown. Cook in batches if needed.
- Prepare garlic butter sauce, Transfer steak bites to a plate. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook about 30 seconds, stirring until garlic is aromatic and just starting to brown.
- Toss and serve, Pour the garlic butter sauce over the steak bites and toss well. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a hot skillet to ensure a good sear on the steak bites.
- Cooking in batches prevents overcrowding and helps the steak brown evenly.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color and fresh flavor as garnish.
- Use unsalted butter to control saltiness; adjust seasoning to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 316 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 389 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 119 mg
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