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It’s Monday night, I just walked in the door, and my whole family is already hungry. This is the moment for my “10-Minute Lifesaver” recipe! These Garlic Butter Steak Bites are the fastest steak recipe I know, and they feel so special.
It’s the ultimate quick weeknight meal that tastes like a gourmet, “cooked-all-night” dinner, but it’s on the table in minutes.
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Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Steak Bites
1. Ready in 20 Minutes – This quick 20-minute steak recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner fast. Making steak bites is much faster than whole steaks. From start to finish, you’ll have restaurant-quality steak bites ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for quick dinner ideas steak and easier dinners.
2. Restaurant-Quality at Home – These garlic butter steak bites taste like they came from a steakhouse but cost a fraction of the price. The tender bite-sized pieces of steak are seared to golden perfection in a cast-iron skillet. The garlic herb butter sauce makes these juicy and incredibly flavorful for affordable steak recipes.
3. Versatile One-Skillet Meal – This one-skillet weeknight dinner means minimal cleanup! Serve with potatoes, pasta, rice, or vegetables. It’s perfect for quick 2 person dinners, family steak recipes, or snuggly sunday meals. Everyone loves these easy dinners with steak.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Steak Bites
This garlic butter steak bites recipe uses simple ingredients. You’re making the best steak bites with pantry staples.
What You’ll Need
For the Steak Bites:
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, ribeye, or tri-tip, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
For Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved (for garlic butter steak bites and potatoes)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (for garlic butter steak bites with broccoli)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for creamy garlic butter steak bites)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Why These Ingredients Matter
Best Cut of Steak (Sirloin, Ribeye, Tri-Tip) – Choose tender cuts for the best garlic butter steak results. Sirloin is lean and affordable, ribeye is marbled and rich, tri-tip is flavorful and budget-friendly. Cut against the grain into tender bite-sized pieces of steak for maximum tenderness. This is what makes steak bites so much better than chewy cuts.
Garlic Herb Butter Sauce – The combination of butter, fresh garlic, and herbs creates that signature restaurant flavor. Butter adds richness while garlic provides savory depth. Fresh thyme and rosemary make the garlic herb butter sauce aromatic and complex. This is the secret to amazing garlic butter steak bites.
Worcestershire Sauce for Depth – Adding Worcestershire sauce brings umami and complexity to these garlic butter steak bites with worcestershire sauce. It enhances the beef flavor and adds a subtle tang that balances the rich butter. This is what separates good from restaurant-quality steak bites.
Instructions for Making Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Remove steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Pat completely dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch cubes, cutting against the grain for tender bite-sized pieces of steak.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Season the steak bites generously on all sides with this mixture.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking hot. This high heat is crucial for searing steak bites to golden perfection.
Step 4: Add steak bites in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if needed. Don’t move them for 2 minutes to get a good sear.
Step 5: Flip each piece and sear the other side for 1-2 minutes for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Remove steak bites and set aside on a plate.
Step 6: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the steak.
Step 7: Add Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, and rosemary to create the garlic herb butter sauce. Stir for 30 seconds to combine all the flavors.
Step 8: Return the seared steak bites to the skillet. Toss to coat each piece in the rich garlic herb butter sauce. Cook for 1 minute to warm through.
Step 9: Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking. The steak bites should be juicy and tender, seared to golden perfection on the outside.
Step 10: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately. These garlic butter steak bites are ready for your one-skillet weeknight dinner!
Hint: This pairs perfectly with maple glazed chicken with sweet potatoes for variety, or serve alongside creamy smoked sausage pasta for a complete spread.
Top Tip
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – The biggest mistake when making steak bites is crowding the pan, which causes steaming instead of searing. Leave space between each piece so they get seared to golden perfection with that beautiful crust. Work in batches if needed for this quick 20-minute steak recipe. Overcrowding creates gray, boiled-looking meat instead of caramelized, restaurant-quality tender bite-sized pieces of steak.
Use High Heat and Don’t Move the Meat – Crank the heat to high and resist the urge to flip too early. Let each side sit undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop that gorgeous crust. This high heat is what makes garlic butter steak bites taste like they came from a steakhouse. The garlic herb butter sauce gets added after searing so the butter doesn’t burn during the high-heat cooking.
My Garlic Butter Steak Bites Journey
I discovered this recipe when I was craving steak but didn’t want to fire up the grill or spend 30 minutes cooking. I wanted that steakhouse flavor in half the time.
When I first made these garlic butter steak bites, Grandma stopped by and said, “Jazzy, what smells so incredible in here? That’s restaurant cooking! You’re searing that steak hot and fast – that’s exactly right. And adding the butter at the end instead of the beginning? Smart girl. High heat would burn the butter and make it bitter. This way you get that beautiful crust and the butter stays sweet and garlicky.”
She was absolutely right. Now these steak bites are my go-to when I want something special but don’t have much time. It’s become our date-night-at-home meal and my secret weapon for impressing dinner guests. Every time I make it, the house smells like a steakhouse and I’m reminded that the best meals don’t require hours of work.
Substitutions for Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Steak Options – Try flat iron steak, strip steak, or tenderloin for different textures and prices. Flank steak works but slice thin against the grain. Each cut works for cooking steak tips and beef or steak recipes. For affordable steak recipes, sirloin offers the best value. Recipe for ribeye steak lovers provides the most marbling.
Butter Alternatives – Use ghee for higher smoke point and nutty flavor. Olive oil works for dairy-free versions but you lose that rich butter taste. Compound herb butter (butter mixed with herbs ahead) adds even more flavor to these garlic butter steak variations.
Cooking Methods – Make garlic butter steak bites air fryer by cooking at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway. Try garlic butter steak bites crockpot by cooking on LOW for 3-4 hours with potatoes. Use garlic butter steak bites instant pot on SAUTE mode for searing, similar to techniques in dump and go crockpot teriyaki chicken.
Herb Swaps – Replace thyme and rosemary with Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence. Try fresh oregano or sage. Each brings different flavors to your one-skillet weeknight dinner while keeping the garlic herb butter sauce base.
Variations on Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes – Make garlic butter steak bites and potatoes by adding halved baby potatoes to the skillet first. Cook potatoes in oil for 12-15 minutes until golden and tender, then proceed with steak. Or try crockpot garlic butter steak bites and potatoes recipes by cooking everything together on LOW for 4 hours. This creates complete tube steak recipes.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Pasta – Toss these steak bites with cooked pasta for garlic butter steak bites and pasta. Try garlic butter steak bites and shells, garlic butter steak bites and rigatoni, or garlic butter steak bites and noodles. Add cream for garlic butter steak bites with parmesan cream sauce recipe versions.
Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Make creamy garlic butter steak bites by adding 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup Parmesan to the butter sauce. Simmer until thickened for rich, decadent garlic butter steak bites with parmesan cream sauce. This creates restaurant-quality easy dinner steak.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Vegetables – Add garlic butter steak bites with broccoli by tossing broccoli florets in during the last 3 minutes. Try garlic butter steak bites and mash with mashed potatoes. Add garlic butter steak bites and shrimp for surf and turf. Perfect for what to make with steak meat combinations.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Rice – Serve over garlic butter steak bites and rice for Asian-inspired bowls. The garlic herb butter sauce soaks into the rice beautifully. This answers what to serve with garlic butter steak bites for complete family steak recipes, similar to chicken spaghetti serving suggestions.
Equipment for Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Cast-Iron Skillet – A 12-inch cast-iron skillet is essential for getting steak bites seared to golden perfection. Cast iron retains high heat better than other pans, creating that restaurant crust. This is crucial for one-skillet weeknight dinner success and garlic steak bites oven finishing if needed.
Sharp Knife – For cutting steak into uniform 1-inch cubes of tender bite-sized pieces of steak. Even pieces ensure everything cooks at the same rate in your quick 20-minute steak recipe.
Tongs – Essential for flipping each steak bite individually to ensure all sides get seared to golden perfection. Don’t use a spatula or you’ll tear the crust.
Meat Thermometer – Optional but helpful for checking doneness. Medium-rare is 130-135°F, medium is 135-145°F. This ensures perfect results for cooking steak tips every time.
Storage Tips for Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Refrigerator Storage – Store leftover garlic butter steak bites in airtight containers for 3-4 days. The garlic herb butter sauce will solidify in the fridge but melts when reheated. Perfect for meal prep throughout the week.
Reheating Tips – Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of beef broth or butter to refresh the sauce. Microwave works but can overcook the steak. For best results, reheat on the stovetop to maintain the seared to golden perfection texture.
Freezer Storage – These steak bites freeze well for up to 2 months without the sauce. Freeze plain seared steak, then make fresh garlic herb butter sauce when reheating. The butter sauce doesn’t freeze well and can separate. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make-Ahead Strategy – You can cut and season the steak up to 24 hours ahead. Store covered in the fridge. For this quick 20-minute steak recipe, it’s almost easier to make fresh, but prepped steak saves 5 minutes on busy weeknights for easier dinners.
Grandma’s Secret for Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Grandma taught me the secret to perfect steak bites. “Jazzy,” she said while watching me cook, “the secret to really good steak bites is to pat that meat bone dry before you season it. Any moisture will steam the meat instead of searing it. And here’s the thing about garlic butter sauce – don’t add the garlic until after you’ve seared the meat. If garlic hits that screaming hot pan, it’ll burn in seconds and turn bitter. Always add your garlic to melted butter on medium heat, never high heat. That’s how restaurants get that sweet, mellow garlic flavor instead of burnt and acrid.”
She was absolutely right. Now I always thoroughly dry my steak and add the garlic herb butter sauce at the end on lower heat. These simple tricks turn good garlic butter steak bites into restaurant-quality meals with tender bite-sized pieces of steak and perfect garlic flavor. The steak should have a deep brown crust on the outside and stay juicy pink inside. That’s when you know you’ve nailed it – seared to golden perfection with rich, sweet garlic butter that makes every bite incredible!
FAQ about Garlic Butter Steak Bites
What’s the secret to flavorful steak bites?
The secret to flavorful steak bites is threefold: (1) use a tender cut like sirloin, ribeye, or tri-tip and cut against the grain into tender bite-sized pieces of steak, (2) season generously with salt, pepper, and spices before cooking, and (3) sear on screaming high heat without overcrowding the pan so each piece gets seared to golden perfection. Add the garlic herb butter sauce after searing, not during, so the butter doesn’t burn. This quick 20-minute steak recipe method creates restaurant-quality results every time.
What kind of steak for garlic butter steak bites?
The best cut of steak (sirloin, ribeye, tri-tip) all work beautifully for garlic butter steak bites. Sirloin is lean and affordable, ribeye has rich marbling and buttery texture, and tri-tip offers great flavor at a lower price point. Avoid tough cuts like chuck or round steak. Strip steak and tenderloin also work but are pricier. For the most tender bite-sized pieces of steak, always cut against the grain regardless of which cut you choose for your garlic butter steak bites recipe.
What are Tyson garlic butter steak bites?
Tyson garlic butter steak bites are a pre-packaged frozen product sold in grocery stores featuring pre-seasoned steak pieces. While convenient, homemade garlic butter steak bites taste far superior because you control the quality of beef, use fresh garlic and butter for the garlic herb butter sauce, and can sear to golden perfection for that restaurant crust. This quick 20-minute steak recipe from scratch costs less and tastes better than any frozen version, plus it’s a one-skillet weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
What’s the secret to a rich garlic butter sauce?
The secret to rich garlic butter sauce is to add garlic to melted butter on medium heat (never high heat) so it becomes fragrant without burning. Use fresh minced garlic, real butter (not margarine), and add Worcestershire sauce for depth. Fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary make the garlic herb butter sauce aromatic. The key is making the sauce after searing the steak so the butter stays sweet and doesn’t burn. This creates the perfect garlic butter steak bites with worcestershire sauce that tastes restaurant-quality.
Conclusion
And just like that, in less time than it takes to decide on takeout, a hot, sizzling, gourmet-tasting dinner is on the table. These Garlic Butter Steak Bites prove “fast” and “fancy” can absolutely go together!
Here’s to a delicious meal that proves busy Monday nights can still be special! If you love easy steak recipes, check out this Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Veggies from Allrecipes for another delicious variation. Give this garlic butter steak bites recipe a try and let me know what you think. Grandma and I love hearing about your steak successes!
Easy Garlic Butter Steak Bites (Grandma’s 20-Minute Recipe)
Equipment
- 1 Large cast iron skillet A 12-inch is perfect. Grandma swore by cast iron for that perfect crust.
- 1 Sharp knife For cubing the steak.
- 1 Tongs Essential for flipping individual pieces instead of stirring.
- 1 Small bowl For mixing the seasoning blend.
- 1 Plate To rest the steak bites after searing.
Ingredients
For the Steak Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Freshly ground if you have it!
For the Steak Bites & Sauce
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak Ribeye or tri-tip also work wonderfully.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter I use unsalted, just like Grandma did.
- 6 cloves garlic Minced. This is the star, so don't be shy!
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Grandma called this her "secret umami."
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme Chopped. (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary Chopped. (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley Chopped, (for garnish.)
Instructions
- First, pull your [steak] from the fridge. Grandma's number one rule, straight from her notebook: pat the steak completely dry with paper towels. Any moisture will steam the meat, and you'll lose that beautiful crust. Cut it against the grain into 1-inch cubes. In a [small bowl], whisk together the [garlic powder], [onion powder], [smoked paprika], [salt], and [black pepper]. Sprinkle this seasoning all over the steak cubes and toss to coat every single piece.
- Place your [large cast-iron skillet] over high heat and add the [olive oil]. You want that pan smoking hot! Carefully add the seasoned [steak bites] in a single layer. Please, don't overcrowd them, or they'll boil! (Work in batches if you need to). This is the secret to that restaurant-quality crust. Let them cook, without moving, for 2 minutes.
- Using your [tongs], flip each piece individually and sear the other side for another 1-2 minutes. This will give you a perfect, juicy medium-rare. Once they're seared to golden perfection, remove them from the skillet and set them aside on a [plate].
- Turn the heat down to medium. In that same skillet (don't you dare wipe it out!), melt the [butter]. Add the [minced garlic] and cook for just 30 seconds until it smells absolutely incredible. Grandma always warned me, "Don't let that garlic burn, Jazzy, or it'll turn bitter!" Scrape up any of those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the [Worcestershire sauce], [fresh thyme], and [fresh rosemary]. Let them sizzle for 30 seconds to release all their flavor into the butter. Now, return the [seared steak bites] (and any juices that collected on the plate) back to the skillet.
- Toss everything together for 1 minute just to coat every piece of steak in that glorious sauce and warm it through. Don't cook it any longer! Pull it from the heat, garnish with [fresh parsley], and serve it right away while it's hot and sizzling.
Notes
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: I’m serious about this! It’s the most important tip Grandma gave me, and it’s underlined in her notebook. If you steam the meat, you won’t get that golden-brown crust. Use a very large skillet or cook the steak in two batches if needed.
- Best Steak Cuts: Sirloin is my go-to for a great balance of flavor and price, just like Grandma used. But a well-marbled ribeye is pure luxury, and tri-tip is also fantastic and budget-friendly.
- Serving Suggestion: These are heavenly on their own, but we love to serve them with creamy mashed potatoes (which are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that butter sauce!), roasted broccoli, or even tossed with egg noodles.
