Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
Steak bites are an easy and delicious way to enjoy steak without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re making them for a quick weeknight dinner, as a tasty appetizer, or for meal prep, these steak bites with garlic butter hit the spot every time. They’re flavorful, juicy, and can be cooked up in a skillet or air fryer.
So let me show you how easily you can make these garlic steak sauce bites, get the perfect char, and use them in all sorts of dishes. And don’t worry, we’ll cover tips to avoid burning the garlic, how to store leftovers, and more!
Ingredients:
KC strip or sirloin steak – 1 pound, cut into bite-sized cubes
Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
Butter – 2 tablespoons
Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
Salt and pepper – to taste
Fresh thyme – ½ tablespoon (optional)
How to Make Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
Prep the steak: Start by cutting your KC strip or sirloin into bite-sized cubes. Remove any gristle or fat to keep it tender and easy to eat.
Season the steak: Season generously with salt and pepper.
Sear the steak: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s really HOT. Once hot, add the steak bites in a single layer, making sure they aren’t crowded (you may need to do this in batches). If you crowd the pan they will steam and not get nice an brown.
Butter and garlic: After the steak is seared on all sides, add the butter and garlic. Important tip: Add the garlic last to avoid burning it! Stir in the optional fresh thyme for an extra pop of flavor.
Serve and enjoy: Remove from heat and serve immediately with the sauce from the pan.
Air Fryer Steak Bites
For a quicker and less hands-on option, try these air fryer steak bites:
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Season the steak bites just like in the skillet version.
Arrange the steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 5-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Once done, toss the steak bites with garlic butter (you can melt the butter and stir in minced garlic in a separate bowl) and enjoy!
Getting That Perfect Char
A good char on your steak bites with garlic butter adds amazing flavor and texture. To achieve this:
Use a cast iron skillet or a heavy-duty pan. These hold heat well, allowing you to get that beautiful brown crust.
Make sure your skillet is super hot before adding the steak. A hot pan means a great sear!
Don’t overcrowd the pan. If the steak bites are too close together, they’ll steam instead of sear. Work in batches if needed.
What Type of Steak to Use
For tender, juicy steak bites, you’ll want to use cuts like KC strip or sirloin. These cuts are flavorful, tender when cooked, and won’t break the bank. You can also use ribeye if you’re feeling fancy, but avoid tougher cuts like flank or skirt steak.
Flavor Variations
While garlic butter steak bites are classic and delicious, you can mix things up with these flavor ideas:
Spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
Herby: Swap out thyme for fresh rosemary, parsley or oregano.
Zesty: Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the steak bites just before serving for a fresh, tangy finish.
FAQ
How to Serve Steak Bites?
You’ve got options! These steak bites with garlic butter are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:
As an appetizer: Serve with toothpicks and a garlic butter dipping sauce at your next party.
Over mashed potatoes: Pile the steak bites on top of creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
With pasta: Toss the steak bites into some buttered noodles or Alfredo for a protein-packed pasta dish.
On a salad: Add steak bites to a fresh, crisp salad for a filling and flavorful meal.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Air Fryer?
Cooking these garlic butter steak bites in the air fryer is super easy! Just season, cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 7-9 minutes, and toss with melted garlic butter after. Simple, fast, and delicious!
How to Cut Steak into Bite-Sized Cubes?
To get perfect steak bites every time, make sure to:
Trim off any gristle or large bits of fat.
Cut against the grain of the meat to ensure tender bites.
Aim for 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly.
How to Get a Good Char on Steak Bites?
The secret to a good char is using a cast iron skillet or another heavy pan. Preheat the skillet until it’s almost smoking hot, and cook the steak bites in a single layer without moving them too much. This helps develop a beautiful, flavorful crust.
What Type of Steak Should I Use?
For the best steak bites, opt for KC strip or sirloin. These cuts are flavorful, tender, and cook up beautifully without being overly expensive. Ribeye also works great if you want something a bit richer.
How to Avoid Burning Garlic?
Garlic burns quickly, which can ruin the dish. To avoid this, add the minced garlic at the last minute and stir it in just before the steak is finished cooking. The residual heat is enough to soften the garlic without burning it.
How to Store Steak Bites?
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them up in a skillet with a little butter to keep them juicy.
Garlic Butter Steak Sauce: The Secret to Flavor
The key to these bites is the garlic butter steak sauce. The combination of melted butter and minced garlic adds richness and depth to every bite. If you want to make a garlic steak sauce variation, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to the butter mixture for a deeper, umami-rich flavor.
Simply melt butter in a small saucepan, add minced garlic, and stir in a little extra seasoning to taste. You’ve got yourself an easy and versatile garlic butter steak sauce that you can drizzle over just about anything!
Storing and Reheating Steak Bites
These steak bites with garlic butter store well, making them perfect for meal prep! Here’s how to keep them fresh:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a little butter to maintain their juiciness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the steak rubbery.
Freeze: If you want to save them for longer, freeze the steak bites in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the fridge and reheat in a skillet.
Conclusion
These steak bites with garlic butter are a must-try for steak lovers. Whether you’re making them as a quick weeknight meal, serving them at a party, or enjoying them with mashed potatoes, they’re a hit every time. The garlic butter adds richness, while a good sear gives them that irresistible crispy edge.
Whether you’re a fan of the skillet method or want to try air fryer steak bites, you’ll love how easy and versatile this recipe is. Let us know how you like to serve your steak bites, and don’t forget to experiment with different flavor variations!
Steak Bites with Garlic Butter & Air Fryer Steak Bites
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over high heat.
- Season the steak with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add butter and melt.
- Place the steak in the pan in a single layer; you may have to work in batches depending on the size of your pan. Cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining meat if needed.
- Add the garlic and herbs to the pan; toss and coat with the sauce.
- Sprinkle with more herbs for garnish if desired and serve.
Notes
Use tenderloin, sirloin, rib eye or strip steak.
The key to this recipe is a very hot pan to get a nice crust on your meat.
Be careful not to burn your garlic. Add it at the end and remove the pan from the heat.
Serve as appetizers with toothpick and naan, over mashed potatoes or pasta, or on a salad.
Nutrition varies based on toppings.