Table of Contents
Introduction
Few dishes combine simplicity and satisfaction like garlic butter steak bites. This recipe transforms ordinary steak into mouthwatering, bite-sized morsels of flavor that cook in minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or as an impressive appetizer, these steak bites have become a modern classic in many homes.
Steak bites trace their roots to traditional butcher practices where smaller cuts were prepared for quick cooking. What began as a practical way to use steak trimmings has evolved into a beloved dish. The addition of garlic butter elevates these tender morsels to something truly special.
Beyond their incredible taste, steak bites recipe offer the nutritional benefits of beef in a versatile form. They’re rich in protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, making them not just delicious but nutritious too. The quick cooking time helps preserve these nutrients while developing a flavorful crust.
Ingredients for Steak Bites Recipe
Main Ingredients
- 1½ pounds high-quality steak (sirloin steak, New York strip steak, or ribeye)
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
Ingredient Substitutions
Vegan Alternative
While the essence of this recipe revolves around beef, you can create a plant-based version using:
- Extra-firm tofu or seitan, cut into cubes
- Plant-based butter
- Same seasonings and cooking method
- Add 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast for umami flavor
Gluten-Free Option
This recipe is naturally gluten-free with these adjustments:
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce
- Verify that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free
Other Dietary Alternatives
- Dairy-Free: Replace butter with olive oil or ghee
- Low-Carb/Keto: Already suitable! Just serve with low-carb sides.
For more on gluten-free cooking, check out this guide to gluten-free cooking.
How to Make Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients
- Prepare the steak: Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Slice the steak into small, 1-inch cubes for easy bites. Cut against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Season the meat: In a bowl, toss the steak pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Prepare the garlic: While the steak rests, mince the fresh garlic cloves. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Make the flavor mixture: Combine the Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce in a small bowl.
Step 2: Cooking Process
- Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. A cast iron skillet works best for this recipe. Add the olive oil and let it get hot until it shimmers.
- Sear the steak: Add the steak bites recipe in a single layer to the hot skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan – work in batches if needed. Cook for about 2 minutes without stirring to develop a nice crust.
- Flip and continue cooking: Flip the steak bites recipe and cook for another 1-2 minutes for medium-rare, or longer if you like your steak well done.
- Remove the steak: Transfer the seared steak bites to a plate and set aside.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the Worcestershire and soy sauce mixture, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 3: Final Touches & Serving
- Combine and finish cooking: Add the steak bites recipe back to the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Stir to coat the steak bites in the sauce and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add fresh herbs: Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the steak bites recipe and stir to incorporate.
- Serve immediately: Garlic butter steak bites recipe are best enjoyed hot from the skillet.
Tips & Variations
Flavor Enhancements
- Cajun butter steak bites: Add 1-2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning to the steak before cooking.
- Garlic butter steak bites recipe with parmesan cream sauce: After cooking, add ¼ cup heavy cream and ¼ cup grated parmesan to the pan and simmer until thickened.
- Red wine reduction: Add ¼ cup red wine after searing the set
- ak and reduce by half before adding the butter and garlic.
- Herb steak bites: Mix in different fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, or tarragon.
Texture Modifications
- Crispy exterior: For an extra crispy crust, lightly dust the steak pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch before cooking.
- Butter-basted: Tilt the pan and spoon the garlic butter over the steak bites recipe during the final cooking stage.
- Marinated: For even more tenderness, marinate the steak pieces for 2-4 hours before cooking.
Serving Suggestions
- Complete meal options: Serve steak bites with roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, or a fresh salad.
- Appetizer presentation: Serve on skewers with cherry tomatoes or on crostini.
- Garlic butter steak and potatoes: Add par-boiled potato cubes to the skillet when cooking the steak for a one-pan meal.
- Steak tacos: Use the steak bites as filling for tacos with your favorite toppings.
- Air fryer garlic butter steak bites: Cook the seasoned steak bites at 400°F for 4-6 minutes, then toss with the garlic butter sauce.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Value Per Serving
(Based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 385
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 26g (Saturated Fat: 12g)
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
Health Benefits
- Protein powerhouse: The steak provides high-quality complete protein essential for muscle maintenance.
- Iron-rich: Beef is an excellent source of heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body.
- Vitamin B12: Steak is packed with B12, vital for nerve function and red blood cell formation.
- Zinc content: Beef provides zinc, which supports immune function and wound healing.
- Garlic benefits: Fresh garlic contains allicin, which has antimicrobial properties.
For more information on the nutritional benefits of beef, check out this resource on beef nutrition.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
Issue 1: Tough Steak Bites
Problem: The steak bites turn out chewy and tough instead of tender.
Causes:
- Using the wrong cut of steak
- Overcooking
- Cutting with the grain instead of against it
Solutions:
- Choose a tender cut of steak like sirloin, ribeye, or strip steak
- Watch cooking times carefully—steak bites cook quickly
- Always cut against the grain
- Let the steak come to room temperature before cooking
Issue 2: Burned Garlic
Problem: Add garlic in the last minute to prevent burning and bitterness.
Causes:
- Adding garlic too early
- Pan temperature too high
- Cooking garlic for too long
Solutions:
- Add garlic to the pan after removing the steak
- Lower the heat when cooking garlic
- Cook garlic just until fragrant (30-60 seconds)
Issue 3: Lack of Flavor
Problem: The steak bites recipe taste bland despite the garlic butter.
Causes:
- Insufficient seasoning
- Not searing properly
- Overcrowding the pan
Solutions:
- Season the steak generously before cooking
- Ensure the pan is very hot before adding the steak
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding
- Deglaze the pan with Worcestershire or soy sauce to capture flavor
FAQs
1. How can I store this recipe?
Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a skillet over medium-low heat just until heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make the steak tough.
2. What kind of steak is best for steak bites recipe?
The best cuts for steak bites are:
Sirloin steak: Good balance of flavor and tenderness
New York strip steak: Rich flavor with decent marbling
Ribeye steak: Most flavorful with excellent marbling
Tenderloin/filet mignon: Most tender but less flavorful
Flank steak or skirt steak: More affordable options, but require marinating
Avoid using cubed steak or tough cuts like round steak for this quick-cooking method.
3. What should I marinate steak bites in?
A good steak bite marinade should include:
An acid (vinegar, citrus juice, wine) to tenderize
Oil to keep the meat moist
Salt to enhance flavor
Aromatics (garlic, herbs, spices) for flavor
A simple effective marinade includes:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
Let the meat marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 4 hours.
4. Why are my steak bites tough?
Steak bites can turn out tough for several reasons:
Using a naturally tough cut
Overcooking
Cutting with the grain instead of against it
Cooking cold steak straight from the refrigerator
For tender steak bites, use a good cut of meat, cut against the grain, let the meat come to room temperature before cooking, and monitor cooking time carefully.
5. What goes with steak bites and potatoes?
Steak bites and potatoes pair well with:
Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli
Salads: Simple green salad, Caesar salad
Bread: Garlic bread, dinner rolls
Sauces: Chimichurri, horseradish cream
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Zinfandel
6. How to marinate a steak?
To properly marinate steak for steak bites:
Mix your marinade ingredients in a bowl or zip-top bag
Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces before marinating
Add the steak to the marinade and ensure all pieces are coated
Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours
Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking
Pat the steak pieces dry before cooking to ensure a good sear
7. How much butter for steak bites?
For 1½ pounds of steak bites:
Minimum: 2 tablespoons of butter
Standard: 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) of butter
Rich version: 6 tablespoons of butter
For a healthier option, you can use half butter and half olive oil.
8. What is the best steak seasoning?
The best steak seasoning combines:
Salt: Enhances flavor and helps create a good crust
Black pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity
Garlic powder: Provides savory depth
Optional additions: Paprika, onion powder, dried herbs
A simple but effective steak seasoning recipe:
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Conclusion & Call to Action
Garlic butter steak bites combine the luxury of a good steak with the convenience of a quick-cooking meal. Whether served as an appetizer or as the star of a weeknight dinner, these flavorful morsels are sure to impress. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility—you can adjust the seasonings, cooking time, and serving suggestions to suit your taste.
The next time you’re craving steak but don’t want to commit to cooking a full-sized cut, remember this recipe. With just a few minutes of prep and cooking time, you can enjoy tender, juicy steak bites swimming in a rich garlic butter sauce.
Did you try this recipe? Leave a rating in the recipe card at the bottom and share your experience. If you made any modifications or served it with a special side dish, share those details too—your ideas might inspire other readers.
Looking for more quick beef recipes? Check out my recipes for beef teriyaki stir-fry, classic beef stroganoff, or slow cooker beef tips.