These steak bites are juicy, flavorful, and seared to perfection — then coated in a rich garlic butter sauce that makes every bite irresistible. Great as an appetizer or a meaty main-dish treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make — steak bites sear in minutes
- Rich, buttery garlic sauce enhances the beef
- Perfectly tender inside, crisp on the outside
- Ideal for dinner, date night, or sharing as an appetizer
- Works with any steak cut: sirloin, ribeye, or filet
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb (about 450 g) steak (sirloin, ribeye, or your favorite), cut into bite-sized cubes
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or high-heat cooking oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
- Optional: chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the Steak
- Pat the steak cubes dry with paper towels to help with browning.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Steak Bites
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is very hot and shimmering, add the steak bites in a single layer.
- Let them sear without stirring for about 2 minutes, then flip and sear the other side for another 2–3 minutes (depending on how browned you like them and thickness).
- Remove the steak bites from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium.
- Add butter and let it melt.
- Add minced garlic and thyme; cook for about 1 minute until fragrant (do not let the garlic brown too much).
- Return the cooked steak bites to the skillet, tossing them in the garlic butter until well coated and warmed through.
- Serve
- Transfer the steak bites to a serving platter.
- Spoon any remaining garlic butter from the pan over the steak bites.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve immediately — great with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a side salad.
You Must Know
- Drying the steak is important so it browns instead of steams.
- Use a hot pan — this helps develop a good sear.
- Don’t cook too many steak bites at once — crowding the pan prevents browning.
- Butter browns fast, so watch the garlic closely to avoid burning.
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Rewarm gently in a skillet over low heat, with a splash of water or extra butter to refresh the sauce.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked, undecorated steak bites in a single layer. Thaw and reheat in a skillet.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Steak: Use filet, New York strip, or flank steak.
- Herbs: Try rosemary, oregano, or parsley instead of thyme.
- Butter: Use a butter-garlic compound or garlic herb butter for extra flavor.
- Oil: Use avocado oil or ghee if you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or garlic mashed cauliflower.
- Pair with roasted or steamed vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, green beans).
- Offer crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
Pro Tips
- Let steak pieces rest a minute after searing to keep them juicy.
- Tilt the pan and spoon the garlic butter over steak bites for maximum flavor.
- For an even richer sauce, swirl in a little heavy cream at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ Can I use frozen steak?
Yes — thaw fully, pat dry, and follow the same searing method, but it may take slightly longer.
→ Can I make this in a cast-iron skillet?
Definitely — cast iron gives the best sear and holds heat well.
→ Can I reduce the butter?
You can, but the butter is key to the rich garlic sauce. Try cutting it to 3 tablespoons at most.
✨ These Garlic Butter Steak Bites are buttery, garlicky, and seriously delicious — perfect for a quick dinner or a shareable appetizer.
PrintGarlic Butter Steak Bites
Description
These steak bites are juicy, flavorful, and seared to perfection — then coated in a rich garlic butter sauce that makes every bite irresistible. Great as an appetizer or a meaty main-dish treat.
Ingredients
-
1 lb (about 450 g) steak (sirloin, ribeye, or your favorite), cut into bite-sized cubes
-
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
-
2 tbsp olive oil or high-heat cooking oil
-
4 tbsp unsalted butter
-
4 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
-
Optional: chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
-
Prep the Steak
-
Pat the steak cubes dry with paper towels to help with browning.
-
Season generously with salt and pepper.
-
-
Sear the Steak Bites
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
-
When the oil is very hot and shimmering, add the steak bites in a single layer.
-
Let them sear without stirring for about 2 minutes, then flip and sear the other side for another 2–3 minutes (depending on how browned you like them and thickness).
-
Remove the steak bites from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
-
-
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
-
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium.
-
Add butter and let it melt.
-
Add minced garlic and thyme; cook for about 1 minute until fragrant (do not let the garlic brown too much).
-
Return the cooked steak bites to the skillet, tossing them in the garlic butter until well coated and warmed through.
-
-
Serve
-
Transfer the steak bites to a serving platter.
-
Spoon any remaining garlic butter from the pan over the steak bites.
-
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
-
Serve immediately — great with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a side salad.
-
Notes
-
Drying the steak is important so it browns instead of steams.
-
Use a hot pan — this helps develop a good sear.
-
Don’t cook too many steak bites at once — crowding the pan prevents browning.
-
Butter browns fast, so watch the garlic closely to avoid burning.
