Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
There are some dishes that just feel like a little bit of luxury on a plate, and this Garlic Butter Steak Bites recipe is definitely one of them. It brings together sizzling, tender morsels of steak with a rich, decadent garlic butter sauce that clings to every piece. This was inspired by a dish I had at a little tapas bar in Seville, where they served the most incredible bites of beef swimming in garlic-infused olive oil. I came home determined to recreate that feeling, but with the creamy richness that only butter can provide.
What we have here is the result of that determination. It’s a dish that feels special enough for a Friday night treat but comes together so swiftly it’s entirely possible on a busy Tuesday. The magic is in the method: searing the steak at a high temperature to get a gorgeous, savoury crust while keeping the inside beautifully pink and juicy, then creating a simple pan sauce that tastes anything but simple. The aroma of garlic and butter hitting the hot pan is one of the best smells to ever come out of my kitchen.
This steak recipe is ideal when you want to impress without spending hours over the stove. It works beautifully for a cosy dinner for two, but you can easily scale it up to feed the family. Everyone seems to love this; it’s one of those dinners that disappears from plates in record time, with everyone reaching for a piece of crusty bread to mop up the last of that glorious sauce.
Recipe Overview
This recipe delivers intensely savoury, tender steak bites with a fantastic seared crust, all coated in a luscious garlic and herb butter sauce. It’s a straightforward pan-frying method that focuses on technique to achieve restaurant-quality results at home. After testing this recipe five times, I finally got the butter-to-garlic ratio just right to ensure the garlic becomes fragrant and sweet without a hint of bitterness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 2-3 people
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Genuine Flavour: The taste is deeply savoury. You get the rich, beefy flavour from the steak’s caramelised crust, followed by the nutty notes of the browned butter, the gentle warmth of fresh garlic, and a final fresh lift from the parsley. It’s a truly satisfying combination.
- Ready in Under 25 Minutes: From cubing the steak to serving it sizzling from the pan, this entire meal comes together in about 20 minutes, making it a brilliant option for a last-minute dinner that feels incredibly special.
- Flexible Recipe: You can easily adapt this to your liking. Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for extra umami, toss in some sautéed mushrooms, or swap the parsley for fresh chives or thyme. It’s a great base for your own culinary creativity.
- Great for Date Night In: This dish has an elegant feel that works wonderfully for a special evening at home. It pairs beautifully with a simple salad and a glass of red wine for an effortless yet impressive meal.
- Family Tested: My husband, who is my most honest critic, always gets excited when he sees steak on the menu for the week. He says the sauce is so good he could drink it (though I recommend serving it with mashed potatoes instead!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The quality of your ingredients, especially the steak, will make all the difference here. We’re using simple, powerful flavours, so each one needs to shine. I always opt for a good British sirloin steak with nice marbling, as the fat renders down and adds so much flavour.
- 600g sirloin steak, about 2.5cm (1-inch) thick
- 1 tbsp olive oil or other neutral oil
- 1 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 60g unsalted butter, cubed
- 5-6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Sophia’s Tip: Don’t be tempted to use pre-minced garlic from a jar for this recipe. The flavour of freshly minced garlic is brighter and much more aromatic, which is crucial for the sauce. It only takes an extra minute and the payoff is huge.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites
The process here is all about heat management. We need high heat to sear the steak properly, and then we need to reduce it quickly to create the garlic butter sauce without burning it. It’s a fast process, so have all your ingredients ready before you begin.
- Prepare the Steak: Take the steak out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. Pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is absolutely essential for getting a good sear. Cut the steak into bite-sized cubes, around 2-3cm (1-inch).
- Season Generously: Place the steak cubes in a bowl and season them generously with the coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss well to ensure every piece is coated.
- Heat Your Pan: Place a large, heavy-based frying pan (cast-iron is fantastic for this) over a high heat. Let it get properly hot – you should see a slight shimmer in the air above it.
- Sear the Steak: Add the olive oil to the hot pan. Carefully place the steak cubes in a single layer, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan. You may need to do this in two batches. Let them sear without moving for 2-3 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom.
- Continue Searing: Use tongs to turn the steak bites and sear them on all sides, for another 2-3 minutes in total for medium-rare. I find that focusing on searing just two or three sides well is enough to build incredible flavour. Once seared, remove the steak from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to low-medium. Add the cubed unsalted butter to the pan. Let it melt, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
- Infuse with Garlic: Once the butter is melted and foaming, add the minced garlic. Cook for just 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until it’s fragrant. Be very careful not to let it brown or burn, as it will become bitter.
- Combine Everything: Immediately return the seared steak bites (and any juices from the plate) to the pan. Toss everything together for about 30 seconds until the steak is completely coated in the glorious garlic butter sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and serve the garlic butter steak bites immediately.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature Control is Key: You need a very hot pan for the initial sear to achieve the Maillard reaction, which creates that delicious crust. But you must lower the heat before adding the butter and garlic. Burnt garlic is a flavour you can’t rescue, so be vigilant.
- The Secret is a Dry Surface: I learned that no matter how good your pan is, you won’t get a proper sear if the steak is damp. Patting it completely dry with paper towels is the single most important prep step for this steak recipe.
- Make-Ahead Prep: While the dish is best cooked and served immediately, you can do some prep to save time. Cube the steak and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also mince the garlic and chop the parsley ahead of time.
- Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over a low heat with a splash of water or beef broth to stop them from drying out.
Equipment You’ll Need
You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this straightforward steak recipe, just a few kitchen essentials.
- A large heavy-based or cast-iron frying pan
- Tongs for turning the steak
- A sharp knife and chopping board
- A small bowl for seasoning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: This is a common pitfall. If you put too much steak in the pan at once, the temperature will drop, and the meat will steam in its own juices instead of searing. Cook in batches if necessary to give each piece space.
- Using a Cold Pan: Don’t be impatient. The pan must be searingly hot before the steak goes in. This creates an instant crust that locks in the juices and develops a deep, savoury flavour.
- Skipping the Rest (Even for Bites): While these are small pieces, letting them rest on the plate for a minute or two while you make the sauce allows the juices to redistribute. It makes for a more tender, flavourful bite.
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s fun to experiment with other flavours.
- Spicy Steak Bites: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the pan along with the garlic for a gentle, warming heat.
- Mushroom and Steak Bites: Before searing the steak, sauté 200g of sliced chestnut mushrooms in the pan until golden. Set them aside and add them back in with the steak at the end.
- Try a Different Protein: This garlic butter sauce is fantastic with other things too. Try it with chicken breast pieces or king prawns. For something a bit different, my Bang Bang Chicken Thighs also offer a wonderfully flavourful and quick dinner.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Steak Bites
These steak bites are rich and indulgent, so they pair well with sides that can either soak up the sauce or provide a fresh contrast.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate pairing. The fluffy potatoes are a perfect vehicle for mopping up every last drop of the garlic butter sauce.
- Roasted Asparagus or Broccoli: A simple green vegetable, roasted with a little olive oil and sea salt, provides a lovely, slightly bitter contrast to the richness of the steak.
- A Crisp Green Salad: A simple leaf salad with a sharp lemon vinaigrette helps cut through the fat and balances the meal beautifully.
- Wine Pairing: A full-bodied red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec stands up well to the strong flavours of the beef and garlic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Steak: Take the steak out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. Pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is absolutely essential for getting a good sear. Cut the steak into bite-sized cubes, around 2-3cm (1-inch).
- Season Generously: Place the steak cubes in a bowl and season them generously with the coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss well to ensure every piece is coated.
- Heat Your Pan: Place a large, heavy-based frying pan (cast-iron is fantastic for this) over a high heat. Let it get properly hot – you should see a slight shimmer in the air above it.
- Sear the Steak: Add the olive oil to the hot pan. Carefully place the steak cubes in a single layer, ensuring you don't overcrowd the pan. You may need to do this in two batches. Let them sear without moving for 2-3 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom.
- Continue Searing: Use tongs to turn the steak bites and sear them on all sides, for another 2-3 minutes in total for medium-rare. I find that focusing on searing just two or three sides well is enough to build incredible flavour. Once seared, remove the steak from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to low-medium. Add the cubed unsalted butter to the pan. Let it melt, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
- Infuse with Garlic: Once the butter is melted and foaming, add the minced garlic. Cook for just 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until it's fragrant. Be very careful not to let it brown or burn, as it will become bitter.
- Combine Everything: Immediately return the seared steak bites (and any juices from the plate) to the pan. Toss everything together for about 30 seconds until the steak is completely coated in the glorious garlic butter sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and serve the garlic butter steak bites immediately.
Notes
I hope you adore this Garlic Butter Steak Bites recipe as much as we do in our house. It’s a real showstopper of a dish that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients or complicated steps to create something truly memorable for dinner. For a truly indulgent meal, you could even follow it up with a slice of my Peach Crumb Cheesecake. Let me know how you get on in the comments below – I love hearing about your kitchen adventures! – Sophia Martinez
