Skip the steakhouse and whip up these golden-brown steak bites in just 20 minutes. Drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce, they are the ultimate quick and juicy dinner!
These garlic butter steak bites are my go-to way to make restaurant-quality protein at home without any of the fuss. I’m obsessed with how the hot pan beautifully sears the steak, and the fragrant garlic butter takes it to the next level. This is one of those dishes that tastes impressive but is surprisingly easy to pull together — from one busy mom to another, it’s the best way to put a meal on the table that tastes like love.
How To Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites
20 minutes for a fancy dinner protein that any home cook can make?? Yes, you read that right. Sear the steak, swirl them in delicious garlic butter, and that’s it!
- Cut and season the steak: Slice the steak into bite-sized pieces, pat them dry, and season evenly with salt and pepper.
- Sear the steak: In a large oiled skillet, sear the steak pieces over medium heat until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. Transfer them to a plate.
- Make the garlic butter: Lower the heat to medium-low, add the butter and garlic, and cook just until melted and fragrant.
- Toss everything together: Add the steak bites back to the pan and mix them with the garlic butter.
Tips From the Kitchen
These garlic butter steak bites seriously could not be easier to make. Thanks to my protein-loving boys, I’ve made this recipe too many times to count and learned some helpful tricks along the way.
- Choose your favorite cut of steak. The quality of the meat determines the final texture, so choose carefully. Ribeye will always be my personal favorite for its tenderness, but top sirloin or NY strips are also delicious budget-friendly options.
- Pat the meat dry. Any excess moisture will cause the steak to steam instead of sear, so thoroughly pat it dry with paper towels before adding it to the pan.
- Use the right pan. Nothing beats a good cast iron pan for me (like this one), but a stainless steel skillet works as well. Both types of pans retain heat well, which is essential for a golden brown sear.
- Preheat the pan properly. A hot pan is the secret to achieving that restaurant-style sear, so heat the skillet for three minutes before adding the oil. The oil should shimmer as soon as it hits the pan.
- Avoid overcrowding. Speaking of searing (are you picking up on a theme here?), make sure the steak bites cook in a single layer with breathing room in between. Cook them in batches if needed, as overcrowding prevents steam from escaping and compromises the sear.
- Wait for the steak bites to brown. Allow the steak bites to sit and develop a golden brown color on all sides before turning them over. Don’t rush the process!
- Check the internal temp. A meat thermometer comes in clutch here. I usually aim for medium, which is 140–145°F in the center. However, feel free to cook the steak bites to your desired doneness.
- Cook the garlic just until it is fragrant. Garlic burns and becomes bitter quickly, so wait until the pan cools down a bit before adding it in. Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the pleasant aroma of garlic fills your kitchen.
- Add a fresh herb garnish. I typically finish these bites off with fresh parsley, but serving them with a side of chimichurri sauce adds an extra herby pop.
Ways To Serve
Have I mentioned how versatile these garlic butter steak bites are? Let me know what your favorite way to enjoy them is in the comments!
- Make a lunch bowl: Burrito bowls never disappoint! Heap the steak bites onto a bed of rice, along with pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded cheese, and black bean and corn salsa.
- Enjoy a fancy dinner: Skip the steakhouse and cozy up at home with these steak bites, mashed potatoes, and a Caesar salad (my personal favorite) for a date night in.
- Upgrade any salad: Keep the meal low-carb and high-protein with a simple arugula Caprese salad, a serving of steak bites, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Storage & Reheating
I love doubling this recipe — because let’s be real, steak never lasts long in our house. Keep the leftovers on hand for a protein solution to any meal of the day!
- Storage: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
- Reheating: Warm the steak bites gently on the stovetop over low heat to avoid drying them out.
More Mouthwatering Steak Recipes
- Air Fryer Steak Bites with Mushrooms — Perfectly tender and seasoned with crispy edges
- 30-Minute Steak Stir Fry — Throw in any veggies you have on hand!
- Steak Sandwich — A baguette stuffed with herb butter, steak slices, caramelized onions, and melty Havarti
- Steak Bruschetta — Your classic mix of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella with a beefy upgrade
Recipe
Skip the steakhouse and whip up these golden-brown steak bites in just 20 minutes. Drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce, they are the ultimate quick and juicy dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds steak strip steak, top sirloin, tri-tip, ribeye
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp oil avocado, olive, or any high-heat oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced
Instructions
- Cut the steak into 2-inch pieces and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season them evenly on all sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan.
- Add the steak bites in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Cook without moving until the bottom is browned, then flip and continue cooking until the pieces are browned on all sides and cooked to medium (140–145°F in the center). Transfer the steak to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the butter and garlic to the pan and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring until fragrant and the garlic is cooked through but not browned.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Add the steak bites back in and toss to coat them evenly in the garlic butter.
- Transfer the steak bites to a serving dish, sprinkle with parsley if using, and serve right away. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 467 Calories from Fat 324
% Daily Value*
Fat 36g55%
Saturated Fat 16g80%
Trans Fat 0.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 16g
Cholesterol 126mg42%
Sodium 672mg28%
Potassium 480mg14%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugar 0.1g0%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 290IU6%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 24mg2%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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