Name: Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1½ pound sirloin steak (cut into bite size pieces, or strip loin, tenderloin, strip steak or rib eye); ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste); 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted); 4 cloves garlic (minced); ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon parsley (fresh, chopped)

There’s something incredibly satisfying about quick steak cooked just right, and this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe really hits the spot. Tender, juicy chunks of steak meet a rich, fragrant garlic butter sauce—making dinner feel a little fancy without any fuss.

The image shows a black cast iron pan filled with many small, browned pieces of meat cooked with bits of green herbs and small golden garlic pieces scattered on top. A woman's hand with dark gray nails holds a silver fork picking up one piece of the meat from the pan. The background around the pan is blurred and out of focus, with hints of green from herbs. The lighting is bright, highlighting the texture and color of the meat. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is one of my go-to dishes when I want something impressive but low-effort. The flavors are bold and comforting, and the quick cooking time means you can have a mouthwatering meal on the table in no time.

Speedy Prep and Cook: Steak bites cook in just about 10 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Simple Ingredients: Just a handful of kitchen staples like garlic, butter, and fresh parsley.
Perfectly Seared Steak: That golden crust seals in juices making every bite tender and flavorful.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Great as a main or party appetizer that everyone will love.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe plays a simple but essential role; they come together beautifully to create a decadent sauce and perfectly seasoned steak. Let me walk you through why they’re key:

Flat lay of a large piece of raw sirloin steak cut into bite-sized pieces, a few fresh garlic cloves unpeeled, a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl with unsalted butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl of cracked black pepper, and a small white ceramic bowl containing red pepper flakes, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive Oil: Helps get the pan hot for that gorgeous sear without burning the butter prematurely.
Sirloin Steak (or your choice of cut): I love sirloin for a good balance of flavor, tenderness, and price—but tenderloin or rib eye work great too.
Salt and Pepper: Classic seasoning that brings out the steak’s natural flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and makes the garlic sauce silky smooth.
Garlic: The star of the sauce that adds that warm, aromatic punch which pairs amazingly with steak.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a hint of heat to contrast the richness—feel free to adjust according to your spice tolerance.
Fresh Parsley: A fresh, bright note that lightens the whole dish and adds color.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to keep this steak recipe pretty classic but I encourage you to play around with it to suit your taste. Maybe add some fresh lemon zest or swap the parsley for thyme. Making it your own is part of the fun!

Variation: I once topped my steak bites with crumbled blue cheese and chopped chives—delicious and totally luxurious.
Spice Level Adjustment: Skip the red pepper flakes if you don’t want heat or add extra if you like it fiery.
Make It Keto-Friendly: This recipe is naturally low-carb, just be sure to serve it with keto-friendly sides like roasted veggies.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

The image shows a large white bowl with blue stripes and small dark dots on the inside, filled with many small, cooked brown meat pieces. The meat looks lightly charred, with some green herbs sprinkled on top. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with some green leafy herbs visible near the top left edge of the image. The meat pieces vary slightly in size and are spread evenly across the bowl’s bottom. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sear the Steak to Perfection

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. When the oil shimmers and feels hot to the touch, add your bite-sized steak pieces in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan! Season generously with salt and pepper. Let the steak sit without stirring for at least 2 minutes so it forms that gorgeous brown crust. Once the first side is golden, stir and continue cooking for another 2 minutes until all sides get that sear. If your skillet feels crowded, do this in two batches to avoid steaming the meat.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Transfer the cooked steak bites to a plate to rest. Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet, scraping up any flavorful browned bits left behind. When the butter melts, toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir quickly for about 30 seconds—just until the garlic becomes aromatic and begins to turn golden but before it burns.

Step 3: Toss and Serve

Pour the sizzling garlic butter sauce over your steak bites and toss everything together well to coat evenly. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for color and a fresh burst. Serve immediately while everything’s warm and juicy.

Top Tip

In my experience, mastering this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is all about the sear and timing. Here’s what I’ve learned that makes a big difference:

High Heat for the Win: Make sure your pan and oil are really hot before adding the steak to get that perfect crust.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Overcrowding steams the meat instead of searing it, which kills the texture.
Butter Timing: Add butter after cooking the steak—this way, it doesn’t burn and instead makes a luscious sauce.
Garlic Watch: Garlic browns fast, so keep an eye on it to prevent bitterness.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Garlic Butter Steak Bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the finished steak bites for that pop of green and freshness. Sometimes I’ll add a little lemon zest or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top for a bright twist that cuts through the richness beautifully.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with crispy roasted potatoes, garlic mashed cauliflower, or a simple green salad with vinaigrette to balance the richness. For a low-carb meal, steamed asparagus or sautéed green beans are fantastic complements.

Creative Ways to Present

When I want to impress guests, I sometimes serve these steak bites in small bowls with toothpicks for easy snacking at parties. Another fun idea is spooning the garlic butter and steak over toasted baguette slices for an elegant appetizer or pairing with creamy polenta for a comforting dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure the steak bites have cooled before sealing the container to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

While I don’t often freeze garlic butter steak bites, they freeze fairly well. Freeze in a single layer on a sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag to prevent clumping. Defrost overnight in the fridge when ready to use.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I recommend reheating gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a little butter or oil. This keeps the steak tender and refreshes the garlic butter sauce without drying the meat out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cuts of steak for this recipe?

Absolutely! While sirloin is my favorite for this recipe, you can use strip loin, tenderloin, rib eye, or even flank steak. Just be sure to cut them into uniform bite-size pieces for even cooking.

How do I prevent garlic from burning?

Garlic burns easily, so add it after reducing the heat to medium and cook it for just 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Watch carefully for that golden aroma and remove from heat promptly to avoid bitterness.

Should I cook steak bites in batches?

Yes, if your skillet is small or you have a large amount of steak, cook in batches. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature and causes the steak to steam rather than sear, leading to less flavorful bites.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep the steak pieces with seasoning in advance and store in the fridge for a few hours, but I recommend cooking just before serving to enjoy the freshest flavor and best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to—it’s quick, indulgent, and downright irresistible. Whether you're making it for a quick dinner or serving it up for friends, I know you’ll appreciate how simple it is to create something that feels so special. Give it a try and enjoy every buttery, garlicky bite!