Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Steak bites are small, tender pieces of beef cooked to perfection with minimal prep and maximum flavor. These bite-sized morsels cook quickly, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. The addition of garlic butter creates a rich, savory coating that seals in the juices and enhances the natural beef flavor. This recipe uses simple ingredients but delivers restaurant-quality results that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters in your family.

Reasons to Try Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Steak bites stand out from other beef recipes for several good reasons:

• Fast cooking time: Ready in just 10 minutes, these bites cook much quicker than a whole steak
• Perfect sear: Small pieces allow for more flavorful caramelized edges on all sides
• Even cooking: You can easily achieve your preferred doneness with better control
• Great for portion control: Easy to serve the right amount for each person
• Kid-friendly: The bite-sized format makes them fun and easy to eat
• Versatile: Works as a main dish, protein topper for salads, or hearty appetizer
• Budget-friendly: Uses less expensive cuts of beef but still delivers tender results

The texture combines a crispy, caramelized exterior with a juicy, tender interior. The garlic butter adds a rich smoothness that balances the savory beef perfectly.

Where did Steak Bites come from?

Steak bites evolved from traditional beef cooking techniques rather than originating from a specific culture. In many ways, they represent a modern, convenient adaptation of classic steak preparation. The concept became popular in American home cooking during the early 2000s as busy families sought faster ways to enjoy steak without the longer cooking times of full cuts. Restaurant chefs began featuring these bite-sized pieces on appetizer menus, often called “steak tips” in the Northeast United States. The garlic butter preparation draws inspiration from classic French cooking, where butter-basted steaks have been a staple for centuries. Today, steak bites have become a staple in many households as a practical way to enjoy steak on weeknights.

Ingredients Notes

For the steak bites:

• Sirloin steak: Choose well-marbled pieces for the best flavor and tenderness. Look for bright red meat with small streaks of fat throughout.
• Olive oil: Use a good quality oil with a high smoke point for the initial sear.
• Butter: Unsalted butter works best so you can control the salt level. The butter adds richness and helps create a beautiful crust.
• Fresh garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides significantly better flavor than pre-minced or powdered options.
• Fresh rosemary or thyme: These aromatic herbs infuse the butter with earthy notes that complement beef perfectly.
• Salt and pepper: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper make a huge difference in the final taste.
• Worcestershire sauce (optional): Just a dash adds a complex umami depth to the meat.

How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Step 1: Cut the sirloin steak into 1-inch cubes, removing any large pieces of fat. Pat the meat dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear.

Step 2: Season the steak cubes generously with salt and pepper on all sides.

Step 3: Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Add olive oil.

Step 4: Place the steak bites in the hot skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd (cook in batches if needed). Let them cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to develop a good sear.

Step 5: Flip the steak bites and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes for medium-rare, or longer if you prefer more doneness.

Step 6: Lower the heat to medium and add the butter, minced garlic, and herbs to the pan.

Step 7: Once the butter has melted, tilt the pan and use a spoon to baste the steak bites with the garlic butter for about 1 minute.

Step 8: If using Worcestershire sauce, add a splash now and toss to coat.

Step 9: Remove from heat when the steak reaches your desired doneness. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be about 135°F (57°C).

Step 10: Transfer to a plate and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

What You Must Know About Steak Bites

• Don’t overcook: Steak bites cook very quickly due to their small size. They can go from perfect to overcooked in less than a minute.
• High heat is essential: Getting a proper sear requires a very hot pan. If the pan isn’t hot enough, the meat will steam rather than sear.
• Work in batches: Overcrowding the pan will drop the temperature too much and prevent proper searing. It’s better to cook in 2-3 batches than to try fitting all the meat at once.
• Meat selection matters: While sirloin is recommended, you can also use ribeye, strip steak, or tenderloin. Avoid tougher cuts like chuck or round for this quick-cooking method.
• Rest the meat: Even small pieces benefit from a brief rest period, which allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Helpful Tips

• For the most tender bites, cut the meat against the grain.
• Room temperature meat sears better than cold meat. Let your steak sit out for 15-30 minutes before cutting and cooking.
• For extra flavor, marinate the steak cubes in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness, especially when you’re first learning to cook steak bites.
• Add a splash of red wine to the butter sauce for a more complex flavor profile.
• If your steak doesn’t have much marbling, add an extra tablespoon of butter to keep the meat juicy.

Variations and Substitutions

Asian-inspired: Replace the herbs with ginger and garlic, and finish with a drizzle of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Southwestern: Season with cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro.

Mediterranean: Add lemon zest to the butter and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh oregano.

Blue cheese: After cooking, top with crumbled blue cheese that will slightly melt from the heat of the steak.

Butter alternatives: Olive oil with herbs can replace butter for a dairy-free option.

Meat substitutions: While beef is traditional, this method also works well with venison, bison, or even firm fish like tuna for a different spin.

Serving Suggestions for Steak Bites

Steak bites are versatile and pair well with many sides:

• Serve over mashed potatoes, allowing the garlic butter to create a delicious sauce
• Add to a green salad for a protein-packed lunch
• Pair with roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts
• Serve with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter
• Thread onto skewers with cherry tomatoes and mushrooms for an easy appetizer
• Spoon over creamy polenta or risotto for a hearty dinner
• For a low-carb option, serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles

Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives just before serving for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The garlic butter sauce will solidify when cold but will melt again when reheated.

For reheating, avoid the microwave which can make the meat tough. Instead:

1. Let the steak bites come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil or butter.
3. Add the steak bites and warm through for just 1-2 minutes, being careful not to overcook.
4. Alternatively, warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes.

Leftover steak bites also taste great cold, sliced thinly on a sandwich or added to a salad.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Make restaurant-quality steak bites in just 10 minutes! This easy recipe creates juicy, tender steak bites with garlic butter that's perfect for busy weeknights. Try these amazing steak bites tonight!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 18 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 pounds sirloin steak
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
• Fresh parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

 

• Cut sirloin steak into 1-inch cubes, removing any large fat pieces.
• Pat the meat dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot.
• Add steak bites in a single layer (working in batches if needed) and sear for 1-2 minutes without moving.
• Flip and sear the other sides for 1-2 minutes more for medium-rare.
• Reduce heat to medium and add butter, minced garlic, and herbs.
• Once butter melts, spoon the garlic butter over the steak bites for about 1 minute.
• Add Worcestershire sauce if using and toss to coat.
• Remove from heat when steak reaches desired doneness (135°F for medium-rare).
• Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Based on a single serving (about 4 oz or 113g of cooked steak bites):

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 29g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fat: 22g (9g saturated)
• Fiber: 0g
• Sodium: 340mg (varies based on amount of salt used)
• Cholesterol: 95mg

This recipe is suitable for low-carb, keto, and gluten-free diets. The nutritional content may vary slightly depending on the exact cut of steak used and how much butter is applied.

quick dinner, high protein, low carb, keto friendly, cast iron cooking, weeknight meal, beef recipe