Introduction
Are you craving something savory, flavorful, and simple to make? Garlic Butter Steak Bites are the answer! Imagine tender, juicy chunks of steak seared to perfection and coated in a rich, buttery garlic sauce that will make your taste buds dance. This recipe is an easy, quick way to enjoy a delicious steak dinner without the fuss of grilling or turning on the oven. Whether you’re serving it as a main course, adding it to a salad, or pairing it with your favorite sides, these steak bites will become a family favorite. Let’s dive into how to make these irresistible bites that are sure to wow your guests or give you a tasty treat any night of the week!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here are a few reasons why Garlic Butter Steak Bites are going to steal the show in your kitchen:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal.
- Flavor-Packed: The garlic butter sauce is rich and full of flavor, perfectly complementing the tender steak.
- Versatile: Serve them with mashed potatoes, on a salad, or with some roasted veggies. The possibilities are endless!
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need a few simple ingredients to make this dish, but the result is incredible.
- Perfect for Steak Lovers: If you love steak, this recipe will hit all the right notes, without needing to fire up the grill.
- Impressive Yet Simple: This dish looks fancy, but it’s super simple to prepare—ideal for dinner parties or a cozy night in.
- Customizable: Adjust the seasoning or try different types of steak to make it your own.
- No Special Equipment Required: All you need is a skillet and some basic kitchen tools to bring this dish to life.
Preparation Time and Cook Time
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories per serving: Approximately 300 calories
- Key Nutrients: Protein: 35g, Fat: 20g, Carbohydrates: 2g, Fiber: 1g
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these Garlic Butter Steak Bites:
For the Steak Bites:
- 1 lb (450g) sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a little extra flavor)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (optional, adds a lovely fragrance)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, adds a fresh zing)
Ingredient Highlights
- Sirloin or Ribeye Steak: Both of these cuts are perfect for this recipe—tender and flavorful, they cook quickly and are easy to work with.
- Garlic Butter: This is the heart and soul of the dish. The butter enhances the steak’s natural flavor, and the garlic brings out a delicious savory aroma.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley and thyme provide a burst of fresh flavor that complements the richness of the butter and steak.
- Smoked Paprika: This optional addition brings a subtle smokiness to the dish, but it’s entirely up to you—feel free to skip it or swap it for a pinch of chili flakes for some heat!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make Garlic Butter Steak Bites in just a few simple steps:
Prepare the Steak Bites
- Cut the Steak: Begin by cutting your steak into bite-sized cubes. Aim for pieces that are about 1-inch in size to ensure they cook evenly.
- Season: Generously season the steak cubes with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). This helps build the base of flavor right from the start.
Cook the Steak Bites
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let the oil heat up until it’s shimmering.
- Sear the Steak: Add the seasoned steak cubes to the skillet in a single layer. Let them sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a nice golden-brown crust. Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if necessary to get that perfect sear.
- Rest the Steak: Once the steak bites are cooked through, remove them from the skillet and set them aside on a plate while you make the garlic butter sauce.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Melt the Butter: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the butter to the pan, allowing it to melt and become bubbly.
- Add the Garlic: Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic. Stir it around for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—stir it constantly.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in the parsley and thyme (if using). You’ll start to smell the fresh herbs infusing into the butter.
- Add Lemon Juice: For an extra pop of flavor, add the lemon juice to the garlic butter. This brightens the dish and adds a little tang.
Combine Steak and Sauce
- Return Steak to Pan: Place the cooked steak bites back into the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until the steak is well-coated in the buttery goodness.
- Simmer for a Minute: Let the steak simmer in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
How to Serve
Here are some great ways to enjoy your Garlic Butter Steak Bites:
- Serve with Sides: Pair the steak bites with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad for a complete meal.
- Top a Salad: Add the steak bites to a bed of greens for a delicious steak salad. You can even drizzle some of the garlic butter sauce over the top for extra flavor.
- Serve on Toast: For a hearty lunch, serve the steak bites on toasted bread or baguette slices. The garlic butter sauce will soak into the bread for a delicious treat.
- With Rice or Pasta: Serve these steak bites over a bed of fluffy rice or pasta to soak up all the garlic butter sauce.
- In Tacos or Wraps: Take it up a notch by adding the steak bites to tortillas or wraps. Top with your favorite salsa, avocado, and sour cream for a tasty taco-style meal.
Additional Tips
Make your Garlic Butter Steak Bites even better with these handy tips:
- Choose the Right Steak: While sirloin is great, you can use ribeye for a more luxurious option. Ribeye has more fat, which makes it even more flavorful.
- Use a Hot Pan: For a good sear, make sure your skillet is hot enough before adding the steak. This creates a beautiful crust and locks in the juices.
- Don’t Overcook the Steak: Since you’re using small pieces of steak, they cook quickly. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking—steak bites are best when they’re medium-rare to medium.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking. If you prefer a little kick, add chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the garlic butter sauce.
- Rest the Meat: Allow the steak bites to rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain all the juicy goodness inside.
Recipe Variations
Try these fun variations of Garlic Butter Steak Bites for a little twist:
- Spicy Steak Bites: Add a teaspoon of chili flakes or hot sauce to the garlic butter sauce for a spicy kick.
- Blue Cheese: Crumble some blue cheese over the steak bites just before serving for a rich, creamy flavor.
- Mushrooms: Add sautéed mushrooms to the skillet with the steak for an earthy addition that complements the garlic butter sauce.
- Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle a little balsamic glaze over the finished steak bites for a sweet, tangy contrast to the richness of the butter.
Freezing and Storage
Keep your Garlic Butter Steak Bites fresh with these storage tips:
- Storage: Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm the steak bites in a skillet over low heat with a little extra butter or oil to keep them juicy.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked steak bites for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired.
Special Equipment
You won’t need much to make Garlic Butter Steak Bites, but here are a few tools that will help:
- Skillet: A heavy-bottomed skillet is ideal for getting a great sear on the steak.
- Knife: Use a sharp knife to cut your steak into even cubes for uniform cooking.
- Tongs: Tongs are perfect for flipping the steak bites and getting them out of the pan without losing all the juices.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 20 min.
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites:
- 1 lb (450g) sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a little extra flavor)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (optional, adds a lovely fragrance)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, adds a fresh zing)
Instructions
Prepare the Steak Bites
- Cut the Steak: Begin by cutting your steak into bite-sized cubes. Aim for pieces that are about 1-inch in size to ensure they cook evenly.
- Season: Generously season the steak cubes with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). This helps build the base of flavor right from the start.
Cook the Steak Bites
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let the oil heat up until it’s shimmering.
- Sear the Steak: Add the seasoned steak cubes to the skillet in a single layer. Let them sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a nice golden-brown crust. Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if necessary to get that perfect sear.
- Rest the Steak: Once the steak bites are cooked through, remove them from the skillet and set them aside on a plate while you make the garlic butter sauce.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Melt the Butter: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the butter to the pan, allowing it to melt and become bubbly.
- Add the Garlic: Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic. Stir it around for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—stir it constantly.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in the parsley and thyme (if using). You’ll start to smell the fresh herbs infusing into the butter.
- Add Lemon Juice: For an extra pop of flavor, add the lemon juice to the garlic butter. This brightens the dish and adds a little tang.
Combine Steak and Sauce
- Return Steak to Pan: Place the cooked steak bites back into the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until the steak is well-coated in the buttery goodness.
- Simmer for a Minute: Let the steak simmer in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Prep Time: 5 min.
- Cook Time: 15 min.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got the recipe for these irresistible Garlic Butter Steak Bites, it’s time to give them a go! Whether you’re enjoying them as the star of your meal or tossing them into a salad, wrap, or even over pasta, they’re bound to be a crowd-pleaser. The combination of juicy steak and rich garlic butter is a flavor explosion that’s impossible to resist.
So, gather your ingredients, fire up the pan, and get ready for a dish that will have everyone coming back for more. I can’t wait to hear how it turns out! Don’t forget to snap a photo and tag me on social media—I love seeing your delicious creations! Happy cooking!