Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

40 minutes mins

| 16 Comments |

4.97 from 30 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)
  • Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (4)
  • 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.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (7)

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

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (13)

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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!

4.97 from 30 votes

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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 kind of steak is used for steak bites? ›

The best cut of steak to use for this recipe is a tender cut with not much visible fat. My personal favorite cut of steak to use is top sirloin. The meat is tender, easy to cut into bites, and is not marbled with a lot of fat which makes it a great choice for this recipe.

How to garlic butter baste a steak? ›

Add the butter, garlic and herbs to the pan. Gently tilting the pan to one side, use a long handled large spoon to baste the foaming butter over the steak. Remember to continue to flip it, otherwise it may overcook on one side.

Can you use chuck roast for steak bites? ›

Fatty and inexpensive cut of steak turned into mouth watering meals.

Can you cook steak in foil? ›

Yes, you can definitely cook steak in the oven using foil. It is a common method of cooking steak that helps to keep it moist and tender while also enhancing the flavors.

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 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.

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.

What butter is best for basting steak? ›

Butter Baste the Steak: Drop the heat to medium-high and add Unsalted Challenge Butter (it should be bubbling but not burning). Add garlic, rosemary and thyme, start to spoon the infused butter over the steak. The butter should sizzle and bubble as it hits the steak.

Does putting butter on steak make it more tender? ›

Now, before you accuse restaurants of butter sabotage, let's talk about the "tenderizer" effect. The fat in the butter can help soften the meats' protein fibers, resulting in a more tender steak.

Can you use stew meat for garlic butter steak bites? ›

This is a great way to take a lower priced, lean cut and turn it into a mouth watering dish the whole family will love. The flavor from the dry-aged Black Angus stew meat, coupled with this cooking technique delivers a fantastic result.

How do you make chuck steak not chewy? ›

Choose the right cooking method. Beef shoulder/chuck roast is a tough cut of meat, so it needs to be cooked slowly and gently. The best cooking methods for this cut of meat are braising and slow roasting. Sear the meat before cooking.

How do you make chuck steak not tough? ›

Slow Cooking

Braising and barbecuing are ideal for tough cuts such as brisket, chuck and bottom round. Try making Slow Cooker Brisket, Slow Cooker Pot Roast or Texas BBQ Braised Beef Brisket, which also benefits from an overnight dry brine.

Why put steak in tin foil? ›

After a cut of meat is finished cooking, gently wrap it with aluminum foil in a tent-like fashion. This will keep the meat warm after it reaches its peak internal temperature while resting. Depending on the cut of meat, rest times will vary.

Why put foil on meat in oven? ›

It's always a great idea to cover your dishes with aluminum foil while cooking at high temperatures in the oven. It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal.

Why do you wrap steak in aluminum foil? ›

Moisture Retention: Wrapping meat, often in aluminum foil or butcher paper, can help retain moisture during the cooking process.

What are steak bites made of? ›

What are steak bites made of? Steak! They are just little cubes of your favorite cut of beef, I'm using Sirloin, seared to perfection and then finished in a garlic shallot butter sauce. They are best served over polenta or risotto or mashed potatoes.

What is the most tender steak for pepper steak? ›

Flank steak is our cut of choice for pepper steak—it's marbled with fat, full of beefy flavor, and easy to cut into thin, tender slices. That being said, flank isn't your only option. Skirt steak will give you a very similar result, or if you're looking for a cheaper choice, sirloin is another great option.

What is the best beef for steak sandwiches? ›

One of the best options for a sandwich is sirloin steak. It is flavorful and often well-marbled, making it a great choice for a sandwich. Another cut to consider is skirt steak, a bit tougher than ribeye but still tender and juicy when cooked properly.

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.

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