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This garlic butter steak bites recipe creates tender, juicy steak pieces coated in a rich, savory butter sauce infused with garlic. Made in one pan in less than 30 minutes, it’s a restaurant-worthy meal perfect for a quick steak dinner, meal prep, or even an impressive appetizer!
If you’re looking for a quick steak recipe with simple ingredients and restaurant-quality results, these steak bites with garlic butter are just what you need.
Restaurant-Inspired Garlic Butter Steak Bites
When I first learned how to cook steak at home, I was surprised by how simple the process is. Now, I frequently reverse-sear steak or make air fryer steak for restaurant-inspired meals from the comfort of my kitchen.
However, this garlic butter steak tips recipe is my absolute favorite way to prepare the meat! Tossed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce, the bites turn out melt-in-your-mouth tender like the steak bites you’d get at a fancy steakhouse.
Even better, making the bites at home is way more affordable, and they’re ready in less than 30 minutes. All you need is a cast-iron skillet and a few minutes, and you’ll be on your way to a five-star meal perfect for weeknight meals, fancy date nights at home, or any time you want to impress your guests!
Ingredients and Notes
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
- Steak: Sirloin, ribeye, or strip steak are my favorite cuts for skillet steak bites. For the best results, look for a well-marbled but not overly fatty cut of steak. Then, trim excess fat, and cut the meat into 1-inch cubes.
- Seasonings: I make my own steak seasoning blend by combining salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and paprika for a subtle, savory taste with a touch of heat. However, you can always substitute your favorite store-bought steak seasoning, if preferred.
- Avocado Oil: This is my go-to cooking oil for steak, because it holds up well to the high heat without impacting the flavor of the meat.
- Garlic Butter: Combine butter, garlic, shallots, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. I always recommend using unsalted butter, so you have better control over the saltiness.
Where I Buy My Steak
- Wild-Caught Seafood
- 100% Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Beef
- Free-Range Organic Chicken
- Humanely Raised Pork
Delivered to your door! The latest ButcherBox deal can be found right here.
How to Make Perfectly Tender Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Prep the steak: Trim excess fat from the steak, and slice it into cubes. Then, pat the meat dry with paper towels, and toss the steak with seasonings.
- Sear: Warm oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the steak cubes until they’re browned on all sides and cooked to your liking, flipping occasionally. Set aside.
- Make the garlic butter: Reduce the heat to low, and wipe the skillet to remove excess oil, leaving the browned bits behind. This is my secret to the best flavor! Add the butter to the skillet, and let it melt. Then, stir in the minced fresh garlic, shallot, salt, black pepper, and parsley, and cook until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Combine: Remove the skillet from the heat, and toss the cast-iron steak bites with the garlic butter. Enjoy warm topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley!
Kitchen Tools I Use
My Top Tips & Tricks
- Pat the steak dry. This not only helps the seasonings stick but also promotes better browning, so we get a nice sear on all sides.
- Avoid overcrowding. Work in batches when cooking, and arrange your steak pieces in a single layer in the pan, leaving a bit of space between each piece. This prevents steaming and ensures the steak browns evenly on all sides.
- Heat the skillet well. The oil should be hot but not smoking. This cooks the steak quickly, creating a delicious crust without drying out the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer. Eliminate any guesswork, and use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak reaches your desired doneness: 120-130°F for rare, 130-135°F for medium-rare, 135-145°F for medium, 145-155°F for medium-well, and 155°F+ for well-done.
- Rest before serving. Let your steak rest at room temperature for a few minutes before serving so the natural juices have time to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy.
My Favorite Ways to Serve
There’s not much this easy steak bites recipe doesn’t pair well with! Feel free to mix and match all your favorite side dish recipes for a complete meal. Some of my favorite options include lemon herb roasted potatoes, Instant Pot mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, oven roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
More Easy Homemade Steak Recipes
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
- 2 pounds steak trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes (sirloin, ribeye, or strip steak work well)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Avocado oil for cooking
For the Garlic Butter
- 4 tablespoons butter 1/2 stick
- 6 garlic cloves very finely minced
- 1 shallot very finely minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Steak
- Trim the steak and cut into 1-inch cubes. Pat dry with paper towels (this helps create a better sear).
- In a large bowl, toss the steak cubes with sea salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
Sear the Steak Bites
- Heat a generous splash of avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Add the steak cubes in a single layer (work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Sear, tossing occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked to your preferred doneness, about 6–8 minutes total.
- Remove the steak bites from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Garlic Butter
- Reduce heat to low. Carefully wipe the skillet lightly with a paper towel, leaving behind the flavorful browned bits.
- Add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the minced garlic, shallot, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Be careful not to brown the garlic.
Combine
- Remove the skillet from heat. Return the steak bites to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat in the garlic butter sauce.
Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
Notes
– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
– Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small pat of butter to keep the steak tender. Avoid microwaving for too long, as it can make the steak tough.
