Have these garlic butter steak bites on the table in only 15 minutes! Juicy, tender, and full of flavor, this one-pan meal is a guaranteed instant hit. No fancy ingredients or special skills required!
These Steak Bites with Garlic Butter are amazing!
Steak is a staple in my kitchen, and I love finding new ways to cook it. These steak bites with garlic butter couldn’t be any simpler to make, but the end result is absolutely delicious! The key is using a good-quality steak and cooking it quickly over high heat. This seals in all the juices and keeps the meat tender and juicy.
I love how this is also a one-pan meal (who wants to deal with tons of dishes, am I right?). I make the herby garlic butter in the same pan that I cook the steak in, infusing the bites with all that amazing flavor. I’ve also included some tips to make these bites in your air fryer or crock pot!
Just follow my simple step-by-step instructions and learn how to make this garlic butter steak bites recipe right the first time. Your family and friends won’t believe how quick and easy it was to make!
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe ingredients
- Steak
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Garlic
- Rosemary
- Thyme
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to make Butter Garlic Steak Bites
- Cut the steak into cubes, around 1 inch each.
- Season with salt and pepper, making sure every surface is covered.
- Heat the olive oil in the pan on high heat.
- Place the steak bites down so that they all have enough space and are touching the pan on a flat surface.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes, then rotate.
- Cook for 1 more minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the butter and herbs, and baste the steak as the butter melts, no longer than 1 minute.
- Add the garlic and let cook for about 30 seconds.
- Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How to make Garlic Butter for Steak
I make the garlic butter in the same pan as the steak! It’s a simple mixture of melted butter, minced garlic, and herbs.
When your steak bites have cooked for 1-2 minutes, been rotated, and cooked for a further minute, add the butter and herbs to the pan. Then, after basting the steak for a minute with the butter, add the minced garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds.
If you want to make a separate garlic butter, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and serve. This is how I make the garlic butter when cooking my steak bites in the air fryer (see instructions for this below). You can also let the garlic butter cool and solidify for later use.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Air Fryer instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Cut the steak into 1-inch cubes.
- Thoroughly season with salt, pepper, and oil on all sides.
- Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, and flip halfway through. Cook for another 4 minutes.
- While the steak bites cook, melt the butter and herbs in a pan on medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Once the steak bites are done, toss them in the garlic butter mixture until fully coated.
- Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites: Crock Pot
This method is perfect for a busy day; you just need to plan ahead! You’ll also need an additional ingredient: 1 cup of beef broth.
- Cut the steak into 1-inch cubes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over high heat and add oil.
- Sear the steak bites on all sides until they get a nice brown crust. About 2 minutes.
- Place the seared steak bites in a crock pot. Add the herbs, garlic, butter, and beef stock.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Variations for Juicy Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Even when a recipe is perfect, it’s always fun to experiment with variations! Here are some ideas to change up your butter garlic steak bites:
- Try different steak types: Any quality steak will work for this recipe. Try ribeye, New York, or sirloin steak, and see which one you prefer.
- Add some heat: If you like spicy food, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the garlic butter mixture. It adds a really nice, subtle (if you don’t go overboard!) kick.
- Use different herbs: Rosemary and thyme is a classic herb combination, but you can also try using oregano, basil, or even parsley.
- Make it tangy: Ever since I created my tri tip recipe with the balsamic vinegar and Worchester sauce marinade, I can’t get enough of the flavor. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the pan while searing the steak bites to infuse them with a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Top with cheese: Cheese and garlic is a winning combination. Sprinkle some grated cheddar or parmesan cheese on top of the steak bites before serving.
Tips for Garlic and Butter Steak Bites
Always make sure your garlic and butter steak bites turn out as juicy as possible with these tips:
- Use a good quality steak: The key to delicious butter garlic steak bites is using a good cut of meat. One with nice marbling will ensure tender and flavorful bites.
- Always sear the steak bites: Searing the steak bites at a high temperature stops them from drying out quickly.
- Add the garlic last: Garlic turns bitter when it’s overcooked. I only cook it for 30 seconds at the end, and you should, too.
How to serve Garlic Butter Steak Tips
Are you heading to a potluck or looking for a quick dinner idea? It doesn’t really matter because these juicy garlic butter steak bites are perfect for any occasion! Serve them as a main, appetizer, side dish, or as part of a BBQ spread.
They also go well with many other recipes to create a complete meal. Here are a few ideas:
- Garlic and herb rice
- Frozen greens beans
- Dutch oven sweet potatoes
- Broccoli rice casserole
- Beer cheese sauce
- Twice baked potatoes
- Corn and tomato salad
For even more ideas, check out my favorite steak sides here.
How to store Butter Garlic Steak Bites
Let your garlic butter steak tips completely cool, and store them in an airtight container. They’ll be good in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them on the stove until heated through – you might need to add a bit of butter or oil to stop them from drying out.
These steak bites also freeze well, even with the garlic butter! Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for 3-6 months. Steak can dry out in the freezer the longer it’s stored, so it’s best to use them within 3 months. I always thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Juicy Garlic Butter Steak Bites FAQs
When using a compound butter like garlic butter, it’s best to add it when the steak is cooked. You can either add it to the pan with the steak (as shown in this recipe) or melt it over the steak once it’s on your plate.
There are two main reasons why your steak bites may turn out chewy: poor quality steak or overcooking. Use a good quality cut of steak and follow the cooking times outlined in the recipe card for the best results! My instructions for cooking steak bites always makes perfectly tender and juicy pieces of steak.
No, there’s no reason to wash steak bites or any type of steak. The cooking process will kill any harmful bacteria on the surface of the meat for you.
Whether you’re making this garlic butter steak bites recipe or any other steak, here’s my fool proof method for getting tender and juicy results:
1. Choose a good quality steak with marbling (fat running through the meat).
2. Let the steak come to room temperature before cooking (about 30 minutes on the counter).
3. Season the steak well.
4. Sear the steak at a high temperature to lock in juices.
5. Add butter near the end of cooking for extra flavor and moisture.
6. Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
Juicy Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 steak about 3/4 lb., see note
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary fresh or dried
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme fresh or dried
Instructions
- Cut the steak into about 1 inch cubes.
- Season with salt and pepper, being sure every surface is covered.
- Heat the olive oil in the pan on high heat.
- Place the steak bites down so that they all have enough space and are touching the pan on a flat surface.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes, than rotate.
- Cook for 1 more minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the butter and herbs, baste the steak as the butter melts, not longer than 1 minute.
- Add the garlic. Let cook about 30 seconds.
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