I love serving these juicy, Cajun-spiced steak morsels seared to perfection and coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s my go-to for a quick dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’ll savor the bold Cajun flavor and the tender bite of steak, all dressed in a buttery garlic sauce that’s both decadent and fast. It comes together in about 30 minutes, which hits my sweet spot for easy weeknight meals.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cajun seasoning:
- smoked paprika
- kosher salt
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper
- dried oregano
- cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- light brown sugar
- dried thyme
For the steak bites:
- 1 1/2 lb steak (sirloin, strip, ribeye—cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- fresh parsley, minced for garnish
directions
- I mix all the Cajun spices in a small bowl and toss the steak pieces in the mixture.
- I heat a large skillet over high heat until almost smoking, then sear the steak in batches with some of the oil, about 2 minutes per side. I remove the steak and repeat with the remaining batches.
- I reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and garlic to the skillet. I cook for 30 seconds while scraping up the browned bits.
- I return the steak to the skillet and toss everything together to coat well. I finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Servings and timing
- Servings: Makes about 4 servings (or 6 as an appetizer)
- Timing: 15 minutes prep time, 15 minutes cook time, 30 minutes total
Variations
- I use store-bought Cajun seasoning when I want a shortcut.
- For a milder flavor, I reduce the amount of garlic.
- I adjust the cayenne or add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Sometimes I skip the parsley or swap it for another herb.
- I rotate between sirloin, strip, and ribeye based on what I have.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days. To reheat, I warm them gently in a skillet with a little butter or microwave them until heated through.
FAQs
What’s the best cut of steak for this?
I go with sirloin or strip for flavor and value, but ribeye adds extra richness when I want something special.
Can I make this in an air fryer?
I haven’t tried it, and I’d miss the garlic-butter sauce that develops in the skillet. Searing gives the best flavor.
How can I prep ahead?
I mix the seasoning and cut the steak cubes ahead of time. I keep them in the fridge until I’m ready to cook.
What sides go well with it?
I love serving this with mashed potatoes, rice, buttered noodles, or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.
Can I adjust the garlic flavor?
Absolutely. I use fewer cloves for a lighter garlic touch or go all in with five for a stronger punch.
Conclusion
These Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites are a flavor bomb in every bite—spicy, buttery, and ready in just 30 minutes. I can’t resist mopping up every drop of that garlic butter sauce. Whether I’m cooking for guests or just myself, this dish always hits the spot.
Print
Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (6 as appetizer)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Description
Juicy steak bites seasoned with a bold homemade Cajun spice blend and seared to perfection, then coated in a rich garlic butter sauce—perfect for a quick dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1½ lb steak (sirloin, strip, or ribeye), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- Fresh parsley, minced (for garnish)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp light brown sugar
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Mix together the Cajun spices in a small bowl.
- Toss the bite-sized steak pieces in the Cajun spice blend to coat evenly.
- Heat 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until almost smoking. Add half of the steak in a single layer and sear for about 2 minutes per side. Remove and repeat with remaining oil and steak.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Return the seared steak bites to the skillet and toss to coat them in the garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish with minced parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use store-bought Cajun seasoning as a shortcut.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control spiciness.
- Use fewer garlic cloves for a milder flavor.
- Parsley adds brightness but is optional.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 4–5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 110mg