Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Downshiftology

Garlic butter steak bites are one of my favorite quick and easy dinners. Tender, bite-sized pieces of steak are seared to golden perfection, then tossed in melted butter infused with shallots, garlic, and plenty of fresh herbs.

A skillet with garlic butter steak bites. — *Photo: Gayle McLeod*

Why You’ll Love These Garlic Butter Steak Bites

I love a classic ribeye steak or filet mignon, but these garlic butter steak bites might secretly be my favorite when I’m craving red meat. Maybe it’s because bite-sized foods are just more fun to eat—like my air fryer salmon bites. Or maybe it’s the fact that all the slicing is done upfront, allowing every little piece of steak to soak up that buttery, garlicky goodness on all sides. But here’s what really makes them the best:

They take less than 30 minutes to make. These days, speedy meals are the holy grail, and this steak recipe checks all the boxes for a simple, quick, and downright delicious dinner idea.
They’re incredibly versatile. Think of these steak bites as the ultimate protein booster for your meals. Wrap them in warm tortillas for steak tacos, toss them onto a bed of greens for a quick-and-easy steak salad, or serve them on a platter with toothpicks as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. I’ve got even more serving ideas below!

Ingredients for garlic butter steak bites.

Steak Bites Ingredients

Steak: Grab a tender cut of steak that cooks quickly and evenly. Ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon are all excellent choices. Ribeye offers rich marbling and robust flavor, while sirloin is leaner and more budget-friendly but still tender. Beef tenderloin can also be used for for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with a mild flavor.
Garlic Herb Butter Seasoning: A simple compound butter mixture of butter, shallots, fresh garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and plenty of fresh herbs is what makes these steak bites so incredibly flavorful. I’m using parsley today, but you can also use fresh rosemary or thyme.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How To Make Steak Bites

Season the steak. Pat the cubed steak dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and create a beautiful sear. Then, season them with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Sear the steak. Once your cast iron pan is hot, add the oil. After the oil starts shimmering, add the steak bites in a single layer. Sear for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Then remove the steak to a plate.

Steak doneness tip: The steak bites cook pretty quickly and will become medium-rare to medium (between 125°F to 130°F) in just a couple of minutes. If you like your steak well done, you can cook them for a minute or two longer on each side. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t get tough.

Cooking garlic butter steak bites in a skillet.

Make the garlic butter sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the butter, shallot, and garlic, and saute for 1 minute.

Finish the steak bites. Add the steak bites back to the pan and stir with the garlic butter sauce to coat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley.

Ways To Serve Steak Bites

A balanced steak dinner plate: Serve this over creamy mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower (for a low-carb option) or rice, with a side of roasted vegetables such as roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted asparagus, roasted broccoli, or even sautéed mushrooms.
Make a steak salad: Toss them into a fresh salad with your favorite leafy greens (I love baby spinach or kale), sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion or pickled red onion, and a balsamic vinaigrette. The options are endless here for a protein-packed salad!
Make steak tacos: Similar to my carne asada tacos or prime rib tacos, you can wrap these bites up in a tortilla with diced avocado and shredded cheese.
As a savory appetizer: Don’t forget that you can serve them on a platter with toothpicks and a side of garlic aioli, chimichurri sauce, or horseradish sauce for dipping. Perfect for parties and potlucks!

Storage Tips

Storing leftovers in the fridge: These steak bites are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, let them cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
Freezing for later: To retain the steak’s quality, I like freezing them with any leftover butter sauce from the pan. This will help keep the steak bites moist and flavorful when reheating. Then, let them cool completely before storing them away in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
The best way to reheat steak bites: Although microwaving is easier, it can sometimes result in tough, chewy steak. So instead, warm them in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of butter or olive oil to retain their texture and flavor.

More Beef Recipes

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Description

These garlic butter steak bites are tender, juicy, and ready in under 30 minutes! Perfect for quick dinners, appetizers, and so much more. Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen.

Season the steak. Pat the cubed steak dry with a paper towel, then season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Sear the steak. Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the oil. After the oil starts shimmering, add the steak bites in a single layer. Sear for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Then remove the steak to a plate.
Make the garlic butter sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the butter, shallot, and garlic, and saute for 1 minute.
Finish the steak bites. Add the steak bites back to the pan and stir with the garlic butter sauce to coat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley.

I prefer to use a cast-iron skillet for a really good sear and to enhance the garlic butter sauce. But you can also use stainless steel as long as you preheat the pan correctly.
Storing leftovers in the fridge: These steak bites are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, let them cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
Freezing for later: To retain the steak’s quality, I like freezing it with any leftover butter sauce in the pan. This will help keep the steak bites moist and flavorful when reheating. Then, let them cool completely before storing them away in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
The best way to reheat steak bites: Although microwaving is easier, it can result in tough, chewy steak. Instead, warm them in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of butter or olive oil to retain their texture and flavor.

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