Name: Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1½ pound sirloin steak (cut into bite size pieces); ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic (minced); ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of tender beef hitting a hot pan, especially when it’s coated in rich, garlicky butter. This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is one of those magic dishes that’s quick to make yet feels so indulgent—you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again.

A close-up view of many small, browned beef cubes cooked in a dark cast iron pan. The beef pieces have a slightly crispy, textured surface with green herb bits and small pieces of golden garlic scattered over them. A woman's hand with long, dark nails holds a silver fork picking up one cube of beef. The background shows some blurred green plants. The setting has a white marbled texture surface underneath the pan photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen because it's the perfect balance between simplicity and flavor-packed goodness. I love how it transforms a humble cut of steak into something restaurant-worthy without any complicated steps.

Speedy and Easy: Ready from start to finish in just 15 minutes, great for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Juicy, Tender Steak: Using high heat and proper searing locks in all those delicious juices.
Flavor Explosion: The garlic butter sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes adds the perfect savory kick.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or party snack that everyone will ask for again.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe plays a crucial role, whether it's building flavor or creating that amazing sear. Knowing what each one does helps you appreciate the simple magic happening in your skillet.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a few thick and juicy raw sirloin steak pieces with rich marbling, a small white bowl of coarse salt crystals, a small white bowl of cracked black peppercorns, a small white ceramic dish with two golden pats of unsalted butter, four plump whole garlic cloves with smooth white skins, a small white bowl containing bright red crushed red pepper flakes, and a small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: It’s great for searing steak because it has a high smoke point and adds a subtle fruitiness without overpowering the dish.
Sirloin steak (or similar cuts): Choosing tender, well-marbled cuts like sirloin or rib eye ensures juicy, flavorful bites that stay tender after cooking.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning; salt enhances the steak's natural flavors, while pepper adds a gentle heat.
Butter (unsalted): Adds richness and helps meld the garlic and spice into a luscious coating for the steak.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is the star here, releasing a robust aroma and depth that canned or powdered just can’t match.
Red pepper flakes: A pinch provides just enough kick to wake up the dish without overwhelming those buttery garlic notes.
Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and a fresh, slightly peppery flavor to balance the richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts of this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Over time, I’ve discovered small ways to make it uniquely mine, and I encourage you to do the same—it's your kitchen, after all!

Variation: I love adding a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice after cooking for bright acidity. It makes the buttery steak bites feel even more vibrant and fresh.
Spice it up: For a smoky twist, try adding smoked paprika or cayenne pepper instead of red pepper flakes.
Dietary tweaks: Use ghee instead of butter if you’re sensitive to dairy but want to keep that buttery richness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

This image shows a wide, shallow white bowl with a blue and white zigzag and dot pattern inside, filled with small, dark brown cooked meat cubes. The meat pieces have a slightly crispy texture and are tossed with small green herb pieces, possibly parsley or cilantro, scattered evenly on top. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a few green herb sprigs partially visible at the edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Heat Your Pan and Prep Steak

I always start by heating my skillet over high heat and adding olive oil. It’s key that the oil is really hot before adding the steak—this ensures you get a beautiful sear and those golden crust edges everyone’s after. While the pan is heating, I cut the steak into bite-sized pieces about 1-inch square and season them well with salt and pepper. Trust me, seasoning early is a game-changer!

Step 2: Sear and Brown the Steak Bites

Once the oil’s smoking hot, I add the steak pieces in a single layer without crowding the pan. You want that surface direct contact for a good sear. After about 2 minutes, resist the urge to stir right away. Leaving them untouched lets that delicious crust develop. Then I flip and cook for another 2 minutes until everything is a gorgeous golden brown. If your skillet is a bit small, it’s better to cook in batches rather than overcrowd—it keeps everything sizzling instead of steaming.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

After transferring the steak bites onto a plate to rest, I lower the heat to medium and toss in the butter right into the same skillet. As it melts, I stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking just about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant and lightly browned. This part smells ridiculously good and only takes a moment—don’t walk away or it’ll burn, which can make the sauce bitter.

Step 4: Combine and Garnish

Pour that sizzling garlic butter over the steak bites, tossing gently to coat every piece. Lastly, I sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top—it adds a fresh pop that brightens the whole dish. At this point, you’re ready to serve and impress.

Top Tip

From my many attempts, I’ve realized that the secret to perfect Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe lies in temperature control and timing. Getting that sear on the steak first and saving the butter for after is crucial to avoid burning the garlic and losing flavor.

High Heat for Searing: Preheat your pan until the oil is just smoking to lock in those juices and get a crisp crust.
Don’t Stir Too Soon: Let the steak pieces sit for a couple of minutes before moving them to develop that golden brown color.
Add Butter Last: Using butter after searing prevents it from burning and allows garlic to cook perfectly without bitterness.
Fresh Garlic Only: Minced fresh garlic truly elevates the dish—skip the powder for authentic aroma and flavor.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

garlic butter steak - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of fresh parsley here—it adds vibrant color and just a little herbal freshness. Sometimes I also sprinkle a few finishing flakes of sea salt to enhance the flavors right before serving, or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

Side Dishes

These steak bites are great alongside simple roasted veggies, garlic mashed potatoes, or even a fresh green salad. For casual nights, I love serving them with crusty bread to soak up every bit of that buttery garlic sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served these steak bites on skewers as bite-sized appetizers—super easy and elegant. Pair them with mini dipping bowls of extra garlic butter or a creamy horseradish sauce for an impressive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually pop leftover steak bites into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They keep well for up to 3 days, though I recommend reheating gently to avoid drying them out.

Freezing

While I prefer fresh, I’ve frozen cooked steak bites before by spreading them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transferring to a freezer bag. They’ve held up well for about 2 months and thaw quickly in the fridge.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a hot skillet for just a couple minutes with a splash of butter or olive oil to keep them juicy. Microwaving works in a pinch but can toughen the meat, so I save that for emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What cut of steak works best for Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe?

Sirloin is a popular choice thanks to its tenderness and flavor, but you can also use strip loin, tenderloin, rib eye, or strip steak—just cut into bite-sized pieces and trim excess fat if needed.

Can I use pre-minced garlic or garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

Fresh minced garlic offers the best flavor and aroma for this recipe. Pre-minced garlic or powder won’t give the same depth, and the texture might not blend well into the butter sauce.

How do I get the steak bites to sear properly without overcrowding the pan?

Cook the steak in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough. Crowding the pan lowers the temperature and causes the steak to steam rather than sear, resulting in less flavorful, soggy bites.

What can I serve with Garlic Butter Steak Bites for an easy meal?

They pair beautifully with roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, a crisp green salad, or even crusty bread to soak up all that delicious garlic butter sauce. Choose sides that complement the rich flavors and keep things balanced.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is a little piece of comfort food heaven that I truly enjoy making when I want something impressive but fuss-free. I hope you give it a try and find, like I have, that the simple ingredients and straightforward process come together to create something really special. It’s one of those recipes you can whip up any time and instantly feel like a kitchen superstar.