Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

40 minutes mins

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4.97 from 29 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

These Garlic Butter Steak Bites are quick and easy to make – and they vanish fast! Serve them as finger food on appetizer night, as part of your game day spread or as part of a fun family dinner date.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

My family appreciates a good steak – be it Filet Mignon for an extra-special occasion, air fryer steak or a classically seared and oven baked steak… Everyone likes it.

Steak bites are especially fun for the kids. I know it’s a recipe mostly served as an appetizer (Super Bowl! or any Game Day party!) , but we don’t mind them as a regular meal at all. They are quick and easy to whip up, and turn out so tender!

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Steak: You can use any tender, boneless cut of steak, cut into cubes. Sirloin steak, strip steak or ribeye all work. You can use beef tenderloin/fillet if you want them extra-tender and special, which is something I love to do for a Valentine’s Day dinner with the kids.
  • Minced garlic: I HIGHLY recommend using fresh garlic. Dried or powdered doesn’t come close.
  • Parsley: Totally optional, but highly recommended by my entire family, save the picky 5 year old who thinks the green bits are a waste of space ?

How to make steak bites

1. Start by removing your meat from the fridge about 30 minutes before preparing it. You’ll want to take it out of the package, cut it, season it and then leave it on the counter on a plate.

2. Once you’re ready to cook the steak, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until sizzling hot. Add the oil, then sear the steak bites for about 2 minutes per side. Watch out for splatters – wear something long sleeved and keep your face away!

You’ll want them with a really nice, browned crust, which does need the high heat. If your stove is very strong and your steak chars too much, consider switching down to medium-high.

And make sure you don’t overcrowd your pan, I seared mine in 3 batches. Just set the finished pieces aside on a plate and tent them with foil to keep them warm.

  • Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (3)
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  • Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (5)
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3. Once all of your steak is seared, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and garlic to the skillet and heat for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Take off the heat.

4. Add the steak bites to the skillet and toss around in the hot garlic butter. Toss around, then serve with chopped parsley, if you like.

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Recipe tips

Meat temperature: It does really help with tenderness to have the steak at room temperature before starting to cook it. So I highly, highly recommend to plan ahead and remove the steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking it.

Bite size: You can really cut these as large or as bite-sized as you like. Smaller bites cook more quickly and are more done, larger “bites” stay more tender and have a more medium middle.

I cut mine just under 1 inch, and cooked them for around 2 minutes per side, plus some extra tossing around for 30 seconds to get the edges charred.

Searing time: 4 minutes yielded just under 1-inch bites with a medium-done middle. If you want yours more rare, stick to 1-inch cubes and go with a short and blazing hot sear.

For more done bites, sear them a little longer on medium-high heat instead; and/or cut them smaller. Just make sure you don’t overcook them, or they may turn out chewy.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (8)

Serving ideas

If you make these as part of an appetizer spread, they go really well with air fryer potato wedges, homemade chipotle mayo, ranch dip, stuffed mushrooms, zucchini fries

As a dinner, we like them over rice, over mashed potatoes (or smashed potatoes – so good) or with air fryer french fries. Roasted asparagus (air fryer asparagus), roasted broccoli (air fryer broccoli), sautéed zucchini or garlic butter baked mushrooms make for some great sides.

More easy appetizers

  • Crockpot BBQ Little Smokies
  • Baked Honey Wings
  • Sticky BBQ Slow Cooker Meatballs
  • Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

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Garlic Butter Steak Bites

These Garlic Butter Steak Bites are quick and easy to make – and they vanish fast! Serve them as finger food on appetizer night, as part of your game day spread or as part of a fun family dinner date.

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

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Recipe details

Prep 5 minutes mins

Cook 5 minutes mins

Extra time 30 minutes mins

Total 40 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds steak cut into bites
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste (season on the generous side)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic or more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley optional for serving

Instructions

  • Prep steak: Remove steak from fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Unwrap, cut into cubes (see notes at bottom of recipe for size recommendation) and season with salt and pepper. Let sit on plate on counter for 30 minutes. (For best results, do not skip this step.)

    2 pounds steak, salt and ground black pepper

  • Sear steak: Once ready, heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over high heat. Add oil, then sear steak for around 2 minutes per side, until a nice, browned crust forms but middle stays tender. Work in batches if needed, do not overcrowd pan! Set seared steak bites aside on a plate and tent with foil.

    1 tablespoon oil

  • Make garlic butter: Once steak is done and set aside on a plate, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to empty skillet. Heat about 2 minutes, until garlic is fragrant. Take off the heat.

    4 tablespoons butter, 2 cloves garlic

  • Finish: Add steak to skillet with garlic butter. Toss to coat. Serve immediately with chopped parsley, if desired.

    2 tablespoons chopped parsley

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Notes

Steak: Use any tender, boneless cut of steak, cut into cubes. Sirloin steak, strip steak or ribeye all work. You can use beef tenderloin/fillet if you want them extra-tender and special.

Parsley:Totally optional, but highly recommended by my entire family, save the picky 5 year old who thinks the green bits are a waste of space ?

Bite size:You can really cut these as large or as bite-sized as you like. Smaller bites cook more quickly and are more done, larger “bites” stay more tender and have a more medium middle.

I cut mine just under 1 inch, and cooked them for around 2 minutes per side, plus some extra tossing around for 30 seconds to get the edges charred.

Searing time:4 minutes yielded just under 1-inch bites with a medium-done middle. If you want yours more rare, stick to 1-inch cubes and go with a short and blazing hot sear.

For more done bites, sear them a little longer on medium-high heat instead; and/or cut them smaller. Just make sure you don’t overcook them, or they may turn out chewy.

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cut of steak for steak bites? ›

Beef tenderloin works best because it is so tender, but sirloin and ribeye work very well too. Cooking the steak. Searing the steak for 2 minutes per side will yield medium-rare steak bites, but if you prefer them to be more well-done, increase the cooking time to your liking.

Can you cook steak bites on a non-stick pan? ›

Steak bites cook well in a non-stick skillet or a cast iron skillet, but I love the browning on steak when I use a stainless steel pan. Using high heat and cooking the steak undisturbed will allow it to release from the pan naturally once fully seared. The result is the most juicy, savory beef tips possible!

How to add butter to steak? ›

The easiest way to baste is to tilt your pan slightly so that hot butter collects near the handle, then use a spoon to pour it over the top of the steak. Did I say that that's all basting does? There's one more function: distributing flavor from your aromatics.

Why are my steak bites tough? ›

Typically, leaner cuts like the flank or skirt can be chewy if not prepared correctly. Cooking Method: Overcooking can cause the steak to lose its moisture, making it dry and chewy. Conversely, undercooking can make certain cuts feel tough. Aging Process: Steaks that are not properly aged can be less tender.

What seasoning to put on steak? ›

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

What is the best frying pan to cook steak? ›

Perhaps the best choice on this list is a cast-iron frying pan or skillet, as they have proven superior when cooking steak. It comes down to substance, and once iron is heated, it stays heated throughout, and its dense nature means it will warm your meat evenly.

Can I cook steak in a regular frying pan? ›

Heat a very little oil in a frying pan (it should just barely cover the surface of the pan) until hot and almost smoking. Brown the steaks quickly on one side, then turn the heat down to medium and cook for the required length of time, determined by how you like your steak cooked (see above).

When to add garlic to steak? ›

Sear Side 1: Cook for 2 – 2.5 minutes until you get a great crust, then turn. Garlic Butter: Leave for 1 minute, then push steaks to one side and toss in butter, garlic and thyme. BE CAREFUL – the thyme will sputter!

Why do chefs put butter on steak? ›

Adding butter to steak is completely based on your personal preference but here are a few reasons that professional chefs approve of doing so: It increases flavor and richness. It makes for a glossy finish. It enhances the steak's texture.

Why does my steak turn grey? ›

Over time, the presence of oxygen eventually turns the meat to a greyish-brown color. This is due to the continued oxidation of the myoglobin, which becomes metmyoglobin. The New South Wales Food Authority explains that a larger surface area means minced meat is more likely to turn gray than whole cuts.

What steak to use for steak tips? ›

Steak tips are most often cut from the sirloin, but they can be cut from any part of the cow. These premium steak tips are robust and meaty thanks to the varied tender steaks they're cut from, like tri-tip, flank steak, coulotte, and, of course, sirloin.

What is the best steak to cut into pieces? ›

IF steak cuts are called for, they are usually sliced thin into pieces (like Fajita slices). The best cuts I have found for slicing are usually Sirloins and Rib-eyes. They tend to be really tender cuts and thick enough to make good sliced meats.

What cut of steak is most tender? ›

The most tender of all cuts of beef, tenderloin steaks are lean and known for their delicate, butter-like texture and thick cut. These mouthwatering steaks are so tender they can be “cut with a butter knife.” Tenderloin steaks are commonly known as filets or filet mignon.

What is the best cut of steak that isn't chewy? ›

Top sirloin

Despite being boneless, this cut, which comes from the cow's top rear end, is typically far more soft and tasty. It rarely becomes extremely chewy and rubbery when cooked properly. Even though it is less expensive than some of the more expensive steaks, this steak is still excellent.

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