Garlic Butter Steak Bites
on May 01, 2026
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These garlic butter steak bites are one of those dinners that somehow feel both a little special and completely doable on a busy weeknight. Tender, bite-sized pieces of steak get seared in a hot pan, then tossed in a simple garlic butter sauce that coats every bite.
If you love quick, skillet meals, these steak bites are such a win. Everything cooks in one pan, which means easy cleanup for those busy nights. These bites are great served over rice, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or even something like these easy mac and cheese muffin cups for a simple meal. It’s also one of those meals that works really well for kids. The steak is soft, flavorful, and easy for little ones to chew.
If you’re in a season where dinner just needs to get on the table without overthinking it, this is a great go-to. And if you’re looking for more simple weeknight kid-approved dinner options, you’ll love these cheeseburger bombs, crispy mini tacos, and cheesy rice cups with salmon bites for options ready in minutes.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need to make these garlic butter steak bites:
- Sirloin Steak: A tender, flavorful cut that sears well and stays juicy when cooked quickly. I prefer to use top sirloin since its lean and tender when cooked.
- Spices: Salt, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are combined to form the base seasoning mixture for the steak bites.
- Olive Oil: Helps create a good sear on the steak bites.
- Unsalted Butter: Forms the base of the garlic butter sauce.
- Garlic: The star of the sauce, giving bold, aromatic flavor.
- Dried Parsley: Adds a touch of freshness and color to finish the dish.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Ingredient Substitutions & Additions
- Sirloin Steak: You can also use ribeye for extra richness or strip steak for a slightly firmer bite.
- Butter: Salted butter works too, just reduce added salt slightly.
- Garlic: Fresh is best here, but in a pinch, 1–1.5 tsp of garlic powder can be used.
- Spices: Feel free to adjust seasoning. You can add in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine the salt, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (Images 1 & 2). Pat the steak pieces dry, then season them with the spice mixture, making sure all sides are evenly coated (Image 3). Let the steak sit while you heat your pan.
STEP 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add steak bites in a single layer, working in batches so they sear instead of steam (Image 4).
STEP 3: Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until browned (Image 5). Remove from the pan and set aside. Be careful not to overcook them because they cook quickly and will continue to cook slightly as they rest.
STEP 4: Reduce the heat to medium. Do not wipe out the pan, we want those browned bits left from the steak to add flavor to the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same pan, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant, being careful not to burn it (Image 6). Once the garlic is cooked, add the remaining butter and let it melt into the pan, stirring to combine everything (Image 7).
STEP 5: Return steak bites to the pan and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle with dried parsley and stir again until evenly coated (Image 8). Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt if needed.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a small pat of butter to keep them juicy. You can also microwave in short intervals, but stovetop reheating gives the best texture.
Tips For Success
- Make sure that the steak is also completely dry before seasoning. Also, make sure that your pan is hot before adding the steak. These two things are key to getting a good sear instead of steaming the meat.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cooking in batches helps the steak brown properly to make sure each piece gets a nice golden crust.
- Make sure your steak is cut into evenly sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Try not to move the steak too much while it sears. Letting it sit undisturbed for a minute or two helps to get that perfect sear.
- Add the steak back into the garlic butter just long enough to coat it. You’re not cooking it again here, just letting it soak up all that flavor.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Ribeye, strip steak, or even tenderloin all work well. Just adjust cook time depending on thickness and fat content.
The biggest key is not overcooking them. Sirloin cooks fast, so a quick sear is all you need. Also, letting the meat rest briefly before tossing it in the butter sauce helps keep it juicy.
More Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
Copycat Chipotle Chicken
Broccoli And Cheese Pinwheels
Mini Chicken Pot Pies With Pie Crust
Cheeseburger Bombs
If you tried these Garlic Butter Steak Bites, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Ingredients
Steak
- 2 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces (top sirloin is best)
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil, for cooking
Garlic Butter
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 – 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pat the steak pieces dry, then season them with the spice mixture, making sure all sides are evenly coated. Let the steak sit while you heat your pan.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add steak bites in a single layer, working in batches so they sear instead of steam.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside. Be careful not to overcook them because they cook quickly and will continue to cook slightly as they rest.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Do not wipe out the pan, we want those browned bits left from the steak to add flavor to the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same pan, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Once the garlic is cooked, add the remaining butter and let it melt into the pan, stirring to combine everything.
- Return steak bites to the pan and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle with dried parsley and stir again until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt if needed.
Notes
- Make sure that the steak is also completely dry before seasoning. Also, make sure that your pan is hot before adding the steak. These two things are key to getting a good sear instead of steaming the meat.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cooking in batches helps the steak brown properly to make sure each piece gets a nice golden crust.
- Make sure your steak is cut into evenly sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Try not to move the steak too much while it sears. Letting it sit undisturbed for a minute or two helps to get that perfect sear.
- Add the steak back into the garlic butter just long enough to coat it. You’re not cooking it again here, just letting it soak up all that flavor.
