Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

40 minutes mins

| 16 Comments |

4.97 from 28 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)
  • Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Savory Nothings (6)

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

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. New York strip steak, tenderloin, or rib eye would be a few other great options.

Can I use a chuck roast for steak bites? ›

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

How long to cook steak tips in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

Bake in the preheated oven until steak tips are hot, slightly pink in the center, and beginning to firm, about 25 minutes, flipping halfway. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for medium doneness.

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.

Is it better to cook steak in butter or oil? ›

Go for oil, it has a higher smoke point. You need a hot skillet to properly sear a steak, hot enough that a pat of butter will begin to burn before it melts completely. You don't want to sear your steak in burnt butter. So reach for some oil when searing steaks.

Why do chefs put butter on steak? ›

This combination doesn't just add fat; it introduces depth and complexity, enhancing the natural savoriness of the meat. The milk solids in butter brown as they heat, contributing a nutty, caramelized note that complements the umami of the steak.

How much butter do I need for butter basting steak? ›

How to nail the perfect Butter Basted Steak
  1. 1 thick ribeye steak.
  2. 3–4 tablespoons quality salted butter.
  3. 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary.
  4. 2 springs of fresh thyme.
  5. 3–4 peeled whole garlic cloves.

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.

What to season steak with? ›

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.

How do you make chuck steak not chewy? ›

Since the chuck steak comes from near the neck of the cattle, the cut can become tough if cooked improperly. Chuck steak is best when you cook it long and slow, like braising it in the oven, or quickly, like broiling or pan-frying it.

Is 400 hot enough to sear a steak? ›

Brown on the outside with a mostly brown center that is warm throughout. At 400°F, cook for 10 minutes per side.

How long do I bake my steak after searing it? ›

Transfer skillet with the steaks to the oven. Bake in the preheated oven until steaks are firm and reddish-pink to lightly pink in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read from 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).

How long to cook steak in the oven at 350 without searing? ›

Rub steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer steak to the oven and roast for 10-12 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

What is the best type of steak to use for steak tips? ›

That being said, we should mention that while a steak tip is typically cut from sirloin, it may also be cut from flank steak, tenderloin tips, and parts of the round. The type of cut may also depend on which region of the country you're visiting.

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 you can eat? ›

These cuts—ribeye, New York strip loin, and filet mignon—can certainly be dubbed the best, and few will disagree. “Filet is the most tender cut, but has the least amount of flavor. Ribeye is the most flavorful, but the least tender of the three, and New York is in the middle.” Flannery explains.

What is an easy steak to chew? ›

Here are a few steak cuts that are often considered easier to eat: Filet Mignon: This cut comes from the tenderloin and is known for its tenderness. It has a fine texture and is typically very easy to cut and chew. Ribeye: The ribeye steak is known for its marbling, which adds flavor and tenderness.

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