There’s something deeply satisfying about the sizzle of steak hitting a hot pan, a sound that promises a delicious meal is just moments away. When you add the scent of melting butter and freshly minced garlic to that sound, it transforms from a simple meal into an event. This Steak Bites with Garlic Butter recipe is one of those dishes that feels special enough for a Friday night treat but comes together so swiftly it’s become a firm favourite for hectic weeknights in my home.

I stumbled upon this combination by accident one evening, trying to use up a nice cut of sirloin and a handful of parsley, and it’s been a hit ever since. The magic lies in its simplicity and the quality of the ingredients. We’re not hiding the beef behind heavy sauces; instead, we’re amplifying its rich, savoury flavour with a glossy, fragrant coating of garlic butter that clings to every single piece. The result is a pan of tender, juicy morsels of steak with a beautiful seared crust, each one bursting with flavour.

This is the kind of beef recipe that works beautifully for so many occasions. It’s a brilliant main course for two served with potatoes and greens, but it also makes a fantastic appetiser for sharing – just add a pot of cocktail sticks and watch them disappear. Anyone who appreciates a good steak will find this dish an absolute delight.

Recipe Overview

This recipe delivers intensely flavourful, bite-sized pieces of seared steak bathed in a luscious garlic and herb butter sauce. The key is a very hot pan to get a deep brown crust on the beef quickly, ensuring the inside remains wonderfully pink and tender. The sauce is made in the same pan to capture all those delicious browned bits. I’ve tested this numerous times, and the most important thing I’ve learned is to add the garlic right at the end to prevent it from burning and turning bitter.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 2-3 people as a main, 4-6 as an appetiser
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Steak Bites With Garlic Butter Recipe

• Intense, Savoury Flavour: The deep, umami flavour of the seared sirloin is perfectly complemented by the rich, salty butter infused with sharp, aromatic garlic and the fresh, clean taste of parsley. It’s a classic pairing for a reason.
• Ready in Under 20 Minutes: From fridge to table, this entire dish comes together in about 20 minutes, making it ideal for those evenings when you crave something truly satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
• A Wonderfully Flexible Recipe: You can easily adapt this to your taste. Add a sprinkle of chilli flakes for heat, toss in some sautéed mushrooms for extra earthiness, or finish with a squeeze of lemon to cut through the richness.
• Great for Sharing: This recipe is fantastic for a casual get-together. Serve a bowl of these garlic butter steak bites with some crusty bread for dipping, and your guests will be delighted.
• Family Tested: My teenage son, who can be a fussy eater, absolutely adores these. He says they’re better than a restaurant steak, which is the highest praise I can get!

Steak Bites With Garlic Butter Recipe

⏱️ 30 min prep  •  🍳 15 min cook  •  👥 4 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For a recipe this straightforward, using high-quality ingredients makes all the difference. I always opt for a good British sirloin steak with nice marbling, as the fat renders down and adds so much flavour. When it comes to the butter, a good quality salted butter, like one from a local dairy, will give the sauce a richer taste.

• 700g sirloin steak, about 2.5-4cm thick
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 85g salted butter, cubed
• 6-8 cloves garlic, finely minced (or more, to your taste!)
• 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• Optional: 1 tsp red pepper flakes for a little heat

Kira’s Tip: Don’t be tempted to use pre-minced garlic from a jar. The flavour of freshly minced garlic is brighter and more potent, and it truly is the star of the butter sauce. Taking a minute to chop it yourself is well worth the effort.

How to Make Steak Bites With Garlic Butter

The process here is all about high heat and speed. We want to sear the steak, not steam it, so make sure your pan is properly hot before you begin. Following these steps will give you that perfect crust and a juicy centre.

1. Prepare the Steak: Remove the steak from the fridge about 20-30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for getting a good sear. Cut the steak into 2.5cm (1-inch) cubes.
2. Season Generously: Place the steak cubes in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and season liberally with the coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss everything together until each piece is evenly coated.
3. Sear the Steak: Place a large cast-iron frying pan or other heavy-based pan over a high heat. Let it get very hot – you should see a slight shimmer from the oil. Carefully add the steak cubes to the pan in a single layer, ensuring you don’t overcrowd it. You may need to do this in two batches.
4. Cook the First Side: Let the steak bites cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, until a deep, dark brown crust has formed on the bottom. Don’t be tempted to move them around too much. That contact with the hot pan is what creates the flavour. I find a good pair of tongs is essential here for turning each piece individually.
5. Continue Cooking: Turn the steak bites and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides. For a medium-rare finish, the total cooking time will be around 5-7 minutes.
6. Create the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed butter to the pan. As it melts, it will bubble and foam. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
7. Add Aromatics: Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and chopped parsley (and red pepper flakes, if using). Stir continuously for about 30-60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant. Be very careful not to let it burn.
8. Serve Immediately: Tilt the pan and spoon the glorious garlic butter sauce over the steak bites. Give everything a final toss to coat, then transfer to a serving dish and serve straight away.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Temperature Control is Key: Start with a searing hot pan for the steak. Once the steak is cooked, reduce the heat to low *before* adding the butter and garlic. This prevents the milk solids in the butter and the garlic itself from burning and becoming acrid.
• The Secret Step to a Perfect Sear: I learned that a completely dry surface is non-negotiable for achieving a fantastic crust. As explained in this brilliant article on the Maillard reaction, moisture is the enemy of browning. Pat those steak cubes thoroughly with a paper towel before seasoning.
• Make-Ahead Prep: While the steak is best cooked fresh, you can definitely get ahead. Cube the steak and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also mince the garlic and chop the parsley, keeping them in a separate small container.
• Storage: Leftovers are unlikely, but if you have any, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over a low heat with a splash of water or beef broth to prevent them from drying out.

Equipment You’ll Need

• A heavy-based or cast-iron frying pan
• A meat thermometer (optional, but helpful for checking doneness)
• Tongs for turning the steak
• A spoon or small spatula for the sauce

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the Pan: Putting too many steak bites in the pan at once lowers the temperature, causing the meat to steam in its own juices instead of searing. If your pan isn’t big enough, cook the steak in two batches for the best results.
• Using the Wrong Temperature: If the pan isn’t hot enough, you won’t get a good crust. If the heat is too high when you add the garlic, it will burn in seconds. High heat for searing, low heat for the sauce.
• Skipping the Rest Time (for whole steaks): While these little bites don’t need a long rest, allowing them to sit for a minute or two off the heat while you finish the sauce lets the juices settle slightly, ensuring they are extra succulent.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s great fun to experiment. Here are a few variations we enjoy at home:

• Steak and Mushroom Bites: Add 200g of sliced chestnut mushrooms to the pan after searing the steak. Sauté them until golden brown before adding the butter and garlic.
• Herbaceous Version: Along with the parsley, add a teaspoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme to the butter sauce for a more complex, woody aroma that pairs beautifully with beef.

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• Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites: After the garlic has become fragrant, pour in 60ml of double cream and let it bubble for a minute to create a truly decadent, creamy sauce.

What to Serve With Steak Bites With Garlic Butter

These garlic butter steak bites are versatile and pair well with so many side dishes. Here are some of my go-to accompaniments:

• Crispy Potatoes: The rich sauce is practically begging to be soaked up by some fluffy-centred potatoes. My Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes Side are a fantastic match.
• Simple Green Salad: A simple salad with a sharp vinaigrette offers a fresh, acidic contrast that cuts through the richness of the butter and steak.
• Steamed Asparagus or Green Beans: A side of simple steamed green vegetables provides a lovely bit of texture and colour to the plate.
• Wine Pairing: A robust red wine like a Malbec from Argentina or a Cabernet Sauvignon works wonderfully, as their bold flavours stand up to the rich beef and garlic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Steak Bites With Garlic Butter Recipe

Tender, bite-sized pieces of sirloin steak seared to perfection and tossed in a rich, fragrant garlic butter sauce. A quick and incredibly flavorful dish perfect as a main course or hearty appetizer.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 530

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 700 g sirloin steak about 2.5-4cm thick
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 85 g salted butter cubed
• 6-8 cloves garlic finely minced (or more, to your taste!)
• 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
• Optional: 1 tsp red pepper flakes for a little heat

Method

 

1. Prepare the Steak: Remove the steak from the fridge about 20-30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for getting a good sear. Cut the steak into 2.5cm (1-inch) cubes.
2. Season Generously: Place the steak cubes in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and season liberally with the coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss everything together until each piece is evenly coated.
3. Sear the Steak: Place a large cast-iron frying pan or other heavy-based pan over a high heat. Let it get very hot – you should see a slight shimmer from the oil. Carefully add the steak cubes to the pan in a single layer, ensuring you don't overcrowd it. You may need to do this in two batches.
4. Cook the First Side: Let the steak bites cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, until a deep, dark brown crust has formed on the bottom. Don't be tempted to move them around too much. That contact with the hot pan is what creates the flavour. I find a good pair of tongs is essential here for turning each piece individually.
5. Continue Cooking: Turn the steak bites and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides. For a medium-rare finish, the total cooking time will be around 5-7 minutes.
6. Create the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed butter to the pan. As it melts, it will bubble and foam. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
7. Add Aromatics: Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and chopped parsley (and red pepper flakes, if using). Stir continuously for about 30-60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant. Be very careful not to let it burn.
8. Serve Immediately: Tilt the pan and spoon the glorious garlic butter sauce over the steak bites. Give everything a final toss to coat, then transfer to a serving dish and serve straight away.

Notes

Serve these steak bites with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This Steak Bites with Garlic Butter recipe is a true gem. It’s a dish I turn to time and time again for a meal that feels indulgent yet is so straightforward to prepare. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we do in our house. If you give it a try, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below – I love hearing from you!

Happy cooking,
Kira