I present a quick and easy skillet‑ready recipe featuring tender steak bites immersed in a luscious garlic butter sauce, perfect for fast dinners or as an appetizer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love that this recipe is both simple and sensational: one pan, minimal ingredients, and bursting with flavor. I can whip it up in about 20 minutes, and it always disappears fast—nobody ever resists that buttery garlic goodness!
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1½ lb top sirloin steak, cut into bite-size pieces
-
½ tsp salt
-
½ tsp pepper
-
2 tbsp butter (preferably with canola oil to prevent burning)
-
5 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 red bell pepper, chopped
-
Pinch of red pepper flakes
-
Fresh chopped parsley
Directions
-
I heat a large cast iron skillet with olive oil over medium‑high heat.
-
I season steak bites with salt and pepper and sear them in the hot skillet until they develop a nice crust on all sides.
-
I remove the steak and melt butter in the same pan (using butter with canola oil helps avoid burning at high heat).
-
I add the red bell pepper and sauté until it’s lightly charred and tender.
-
I stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until the garlic is fragrant.
-
I toss the steak bites back in and stir to coat them thoroughly in the garlic butter.
-
I garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Servings and timing
-
Servings: Serves 8 people
-
Prep Time: Approximately 10 minutes
-
Cook Time: Around 10 minutes
-
Total Time: About 20 minutes
Variations
I sometimes swap things up by using diced chicken thighs in place of steak. I can also change the red bell pepper to yellow or green, or toss in zucchini for extra veggies. Using different steak cuts like NY strip, tenderloin, or rib-eye works too, depending on flavor and budget preferences.
Storage/reheating
I find these steak bites are best eaten immediately while hot and juicy. If I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I gently warm them in a skillet with a little butter to revive the flavor—they even hold up decently in the microwave in a pinch.
FAQs
What’s the best steak cut to use?
I usually go for top sirloin—it’s flavorful, tender, and budget‑friendly. Strip steak, rib-eye, or tenderloin also work great if I’m splurging.
How do I get a good sear on the steak?
I make sure to pat the steak dry and use a screaming‑hot pan. I let the pieces sear undisturbed for a couple of minutes before flipping to develop a crust.
Should I cook garlic with the steak?
I avoid that! I add garlic only after the steak’s removed, melting it into the butter so it turns fragrant without burning. That technique prevents bitterness.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely! I sauté chopped bell pepper with the butter, but mushrooms, zucchini, or onions would be delicious too—just sauté them until tender before adding the garlic.
Can I make this ahead?
I usually don’t, since it comes together so quickly—about 15–20 minutes total. It’s best served fresh, so I don’t recommend making it way ahead.
Conclusion
I’ve made this recipe countless times, and it never disappoints. It’s fast, flavorful, and perfect for busy nights or fun gatherings. I cherish how the garlic‑butter sauce elevates every bite. I hope you enjoy making—and eating—it as much as I do!
Print
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Description
A quick and easy skillet recipe featuring tender top sirloin steak bites coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for fast dinners or party appetizers.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ lb top sirloin steak, cut into bite-size pieces
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp butter (preferably with canola oil)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat a large cast iron skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season steak bites with salt and pepper.
- Sear the steak in the hot skillet until a crust forms on all sides.
- Remove the steak and melt butter in the same pan.
- Add the chopped red bell pepper and sauté until lightly charred and tender.
- Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant.
- Return the steak bites to the pan and coat thoroughly with the garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Top sirloin is a great budget-friendly cut, but other steak cuts like NY strip or rib-eye can be used.
- Butter with canola oil helps prevent burning during high-heat cooking.
- Don’t cook garlic with steak to avoid bitterness—add it later with butter.
- Customize with vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or onions.
- Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet with a bit of butter for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg