These easy garlic butter steak sites taste like they were made at an expensive restaurant. Bite-size pieces of steak are seared until perfectly crispy and then smothered in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. The best part is these juicy steak bites are ready in under 20 minutes. Making it an amazing recipe for busy weeknights.
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There’s no meal quite as satisfying as one that tastes like you spent all evening preparing it, but that actually only took you a few minutes. This is one of those meals.
This recipe takes just a few minutes to come together, but the flavor and texture is incredible. Serve these steak bites as an easy weeknight dinner or whip them up in no time for an at-home date night.
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📖Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients. These garlic steak bites are made with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Just grab your favorite cut of steak at the store and you’re set!
- Quick Cooking. Since the steak is cut into smaller cubes, it cooks so quickly! A couple of minutes on each side and it’s done. Then all that’s left to do is whip up the garlic butter sauce.
- Incredible Flavor. Our secret ingredient, Worcestershire sauce, adds a depth of flavor without a lot of work.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be made dairy-free by using vegan butter.
🧾Ingredient Notes
This recipe only uses a handful of ingredients so don't skip- you need each one to get the best flavor. First let's start with our steak!
What steak to use for steak bites?
I prefer to use beef sirloin steak or a tri-tip roast. While I love a New York strip steak, a marbled rib eye, beef tenderloin, or even filet mignon. I prefer to save these fancy cuts for grilling and special occasions. This simple recipe can be budget friendly if you choose, but at the end of the day, you can use your favorite cut of meat.
Salt and Pepper - You’ll season the steak and the garlic butter with salt and pepper. Start with less, then add more to taste.
Oil - I use vegetable oil, but any other neutral-flavored oil will work.
Fresh Garlic - Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor. This is not a time for garlic powder, this is a garlic-forward dish.
Beef Stock - A flavorful base for our garlic butter sauce.
Butter - I use unsalted butter so I can control the saltiness of the finished product. If you only have salted butter, I recommend adding less yourself.
Worcestershire Sauce - Adds a salty, umami flavor that’s perfect for steak bites. You can substitute tamari (gluten-free soy sauce).
Fresh Chives - A sprinkle of fresh chives is the perfect garnish to finish off the steak. You can use fresh parsley or any green herb you like.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
⏲️How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites
These simple steak bites taste like decadence, but they come together so quickly! I recommend gathering your ingredients and measuring each item before starting. This will prevent the meat from becoming overcooked while you are grabbing and measuring for the sauce.
Step 1 - Sear the Steak
You want to cut your steak into bit size pieces, about a 1-inch cube. Season the steak with salt and pepper, and gently toss with your hands to spread the seasoning around. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the steak in one single layer. Work in batches if needed to ensure an even sear on each side. Cook until browned on all sides, turning occasionally. Transfer to a platter and repeat with the remaining steak.
Step 2 - Make the Garlic Butter
Once the steak is seared, reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic to the skillet. Do not wipe out the skillet, just add the garlic directly to the steak juices. Cook and stir for 30 seconds, then add in the beef broth, cold butter, and Worcestershire sauce.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits at the bottom of the pan. Use the spoon to stir in the butter and help it emulsify. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed. You can add red pepper flakes if you like a little extra heat.
Step 3 - Combine and Serve
Add the cooked steak back to the skillet, toss to coat with the garlic butter sauce, then garnish with chives and serve.
🥗What to Serve with Steak Bites
These garlic steak bites are so versatile! Serve them with any of your favorite side dishes!
A few of my favorites include Boursin mashed potatoes, chimichurri rice, or lemon-roasted potatoes for a hardy option. On the veggie side of things, you can keep the garlic lovers theme going with sauteed garlic green beans, or keep it complimentary with balsamic roasted mushrooms and lemon swiss chard.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Cut the steak into even cubes so they all cook at the same rate.
- Preheat the pan. A hot skillet will ensure you get a nice crust on these delicious steak bites.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. The steak pieces need room to breathe so they get that nice crispy texture all the way around. Cook in batches if necessary.
🔪Equipment
You don’t need much to put together these steak bites. Just a sharp knife to slice the beef into even chunks and the right pan for searing. I prefer to use a cast iron pan, but you can use any heavy-bottomed pan.
🌡️Storing Leftovers
These steak bites are best hot out of the pan, but any leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm back in the skillet until heated through.
Food Safety
A few things to keep in mind when working with raw meat:
- Check the temperature. The minimum internal temperature of steak is 145ºF. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it’s reached a safe temp before serving.
- Wash up. Make sure you thoroughly clean anything that has touched the raw meat. Tools and hands!
- Store quickly. Cooked steak shouldn’t sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Either serve right away or cool and store quickly after cooking.
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💬Frequently Asked Questions
The butter in this recipe adds moisture and flavor to the steak. It’s the base of an incredibly flavorful garlic butter sauce that makes these already delicious bites of juicy seared steak taste even better!
Skip the expensive cuts like beef tenderloin or a ribeye steak, instead use a sirloin steak or tri-tip cut. I have even used stew meat in this recipe!
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📖 Recipe
Juicy Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef sirloin steak or tri-tip 1-inch thick, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons garlic minced
- ⅓ cup beef stock
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives minced
Instructions
- Season the steak with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak bites, careful not to overfill the pan. You may need to cook in batches.2 pounds beef sirloin steak or tri-tip, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¾ teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Cook 1 to 2 minutes until browned, flip cook 1 to 2 minutes and flip again. Cook, turning occasionally until most sides are browned and crispy and the steak is medium-rare, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the steak pieces to a rimmed platter. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining steak pieces.
- Once the steak bites are browned, reduce the heat on the skillet to medium. Do not wipe out the skillet. Add garlic. Stir 30 seconds.3 tablespoons garlic
- Add beef broth and scrape up the brown bits in the skillet. Add butter and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until butter is melted. Taste for salt and pepper.⅓ cup beef stock, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh chives
- Add steak bites back to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with chives and serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- You can also serve steak bites as an appetizer. Serve in the pan with toothpicks on the side for easy access.
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