Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Tender, juicy steak cubes seared to perfection and tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce. A quick and flavorful dinner that pairs perfectly with potatoes, rice, or veggies. Made with sirloin or ribeye, fresh garlic, and aromatic herbs, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality steak bites in just 20 minutes.
- Author: Nethan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Steak
- 1 ½ pounds sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into 1-inch cubes
Cooking Fat & Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Steak: Pat the steak cubes dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Let them rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes for even cooking and better crust formation.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Sear the Steak Bites: Add half of the steak cubes in a single layer to avoid overcrowding. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust, then flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until browned and medium-rare. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining steak cubes.
- Make the Garlic Butter: Reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic, fresh or dried thyme, and rosemary. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine & Coat: Return all the seared steak bites to the skillet. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss everything together to coat the steak evenly in the garlic herb butter, making it glossy and flavorful.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for freshness and color. Serve immediately alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Patting the steak dry before seasoning is crucial for getting a good sear.
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding which causes steaming instead of searing.
- Do not overcook steak bites; they cook quickly and are best at medium-rare to medium.
- Cast-iron skillet is preferred for the best crust, but any heavy-bottom skillet works fine.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, or bell peppers after cooking steak to incorporate vegetables.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheating in a skillet with butter is recommended.
- Freezing is not advised as it may dry out the steak upon reheating.
- Variations include adding Cajun seasoning for spice, or using sesame oil and soy sauce for Asian flavors.
Keywords: garlic butter steak bites, steak cubes, seared steak, quick steak dinner, sirloin steak recipe, ribeye steak bites, garlic herb butter steak, easy steak recipe