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? ›

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.

How to cook a steak without a grill or cast iron skillet? ›

PREHEAT oven to 250F. Place steaks on a rack over a baking sheet. Rub with 1 tbsp oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast steaks in the centre of the oven for about 20 minutes for medium-rare.

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 not to use butter on steak? ›

As you can see, between butter and oil, butter has a dramatically lower smoke point. Because of this, if you heat up a pan hot enough to sear your steak, putting a dollop of butter in first means it is likely to burn up. However, that doesn't mean you can't still get the delicious flavors of butter with your steak.

When to add garlic to steak? ›

It's as simple as this: while the steak is searing in the pan, throw in butter, garlic and thyme and baste continuously as the steak finishes cooking. The garlic-thyme infused butter does all sorts of wonderful things to the steak, seeping into the cracks and crevices, and adhering to the crust of the steak.

Is it better to cook steak with butter or olive oil? ›

Much to our surprise steak cooked with olive oil brought out the natural flavors of meat and helped maintain a desirable texture much better than butter.

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.

What do steakhouses season their steaks with? ›

However, every great steakhouse seasons the steaks they cook. Typically a steak is seasoned with coarse ground black pepper, sea or kosher salt, garlic, and some type of signature spice. In addition to the seasoning most steakhouse's use a marinade, butter, or some type of baste or finishing liquid.

How do you smash garlic for steak? ›

To mince peeled garlic, lay the flat side of a knife over the clove and smash it. Roughly chop the clove then move your free hand flat across the tip of the knife and use a rocking motion to chop the garlic until it's finely minced.

Is it better to cook a steak in the oven or on the stove? ›

Is it better to cook steak in pan or oven? Most steaks can cook in a pan to medium rare. Cooking some steaks in the oven could lead to overcooking or drying out. However, thick steaks like filet mignon may need some time in the oven, too, to ensure that they cook enough on the inside.

Is it better to cook steak on a skillet or pan? ›

It's the key to building flavor and texture in a dish, while also preventing sticking and giving your meal a restaurant-quality appearance. Pan-searing is hands-down the best way to cook a steak (it works wonders for salmon and scallops, too), and it also happens to be the easiest.

Is steak better on grill or cast iron? ›

Charcoal and cast-iron skillet both cook some of the finest steaks, and it all depends on your personal preferences and taste buds. If you want to go for the ultimate buttery taste, go for the cast iron method. If you want a smoky adventure, go for the charcoal grilling method.

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? ›

Grilling Filet Mignon

Black Angus filet mignon is the most tender cut of beef used for steaks. It comes from the smaller end of the tenderloin and should be well-marbled. You can grill it or cook it in a skillet and is best served blue rare or rare.

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 cut of steak is best to eat raw? ›

While flank and skirt steak are great for grilling, you want beef tenderloin—home to prized cuts like filet mignon and chateaubriand—for tartare. Why? Because the tenderloin is home to the most tender meat on the animal (it's built right into the name, after all).

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