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Garlic butter steak bites are the ultimate quick, high-protein dinner when you want something rich and satisfying without a complicated recipe! Tender cubes of steak are seared over medium-high heat until golden brown, then finished in a buttery garlic sauce that coats every bite. If you love my air fryer Ribeye steak, you'll appreciate how quickly these steak bites come together. You can make them in a cast-iron skillet or an air fryer, and either way, they turn out juicy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights!
Table of Contents
- Quick Look: Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Why You'll Love Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Method
- How to Get a Perfect Crust
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- What to Serve with Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Recipe FAQs
- More Healthy Steak Recipes
- Easy Garlic Butter Steak Bites (Stovetop & Air Fryer!) Recipe
Quick Look: Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🍳 Cook Time: 7 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 12 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 📊 Calories: ~326 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cook Method: air fryer or stovetop
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: juicy, tender steak in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy. Dinner in under 15 minutes.
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Why You'll Love Garlic Butter Steak Bites
This garlic butter steak bites recipe is simple, fast, and incredibly satisfying. The steak cooks in just a few minutes, making it ideal for nights when you need dinner on the table quickly but still want something that feels special. Plus, if you have an air fryer, you'll spend even less time actively cooking, just like this air fryer filet mignon recipe.
If you've tried my cube steak recipe, you know cooking the steak in a hot cast-iron skillet helps create a beautiful crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender. I love how quickly these cook while still getting that steakhouse-style sear at home. The garlic is added at the end so it becomes fragrant without burning, and the butter coats every piece for a bold flavor.
Ingredients You'll Need
- New York Strip Steaks: Tender and flavorful with great marbling for searing. Cut the steak into evenly sized 1-1½ inch cubes so they cook at the same rate and develop a proper sear. You can also use sirloin or filet!
- Olive Oil: Helps the steak develop a golden crust in a hot skillet.
- Salt and pepper: Season generously to enhance the natural flavor of the beef.
- Butter: Creates the rich base for the garlic butter sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Added at the end to prevent burning and preserve flavor.
- Fresh Chopped Parsley: Brightens the finished dish with fresh color and flavor.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat. Cast iron retains heat well and creates the best crust! Season the steak cubes generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Place them in a single layer in the hot pan. Do not move them for 2-3 minutes. Letting them sit undisturbed is what creates that golden brown crust.
Step 3: Flip the steak bites with tongs once browned. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, depending on preferred doneness. For medium-rare, the centers should still be slightly pink.
Step 4: Add the butter and minced garlic to the pan. Stir for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant and the steak is coated. Keep the garlic moving so it doesn't burn. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Method
Step 1: To make air fryer garlic butter steak bites, season the steak cubes and preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket lightly and arrange the steak in a single layer. Cook for 4-6 minutes, depending on size and desired doneness.
Step 2: While the steak cooks, melt the butter in a skillet and stir in the garlic until fragrant. Toss the cooked steak bites in the garlic butter before serving. This method keeps the garlic from overcooking and ensures tender results.
How to Get a Perfect Crust
- Before the steak even hits the pan, pat it completely dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of a good sear! If the surface is damp, the steak will steam instead of developing that deep golden crust.
- Cook over high heat, use a heavy skillet like cast iron, and always arrange the steak in a single layer. Overcrowding causes the meat to release moisture and steam instead of sear. Avoid stirring too early - patience creates the crust!
If you want precision, use a meat thermometer.
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium-rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
Because the cubes are small, they cook quickly and can overcook fast, so pull them off the heat just before they reach your target temp.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Moving the steak too soon: Let it sit untouched for 2-3 minutes to properly develop a crust.
- Adding garlic too early: Garlic burns quickly over high heat. Always stir it in at the end for the best flavor.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Who doesn't love a good side? These sides turn steak bites with garlic butter into a complete meal for easy weeknight dinners or a casual gathering! I love to serve these bites with mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes.
Recipe FAQs
New York strip is ideal because it balances tenderness and flavor while holding its shape when cubed. Sirloin is more budget-friendly and slightly leaner. Filet is extra tender but softer in texture. Choose a cut that cooks quickly and benefits from high heat!
Steak bites are best served fresh for the most tender texture. You can cube and season the steak in advance, but cook it just before serving to prevent dryness when reheating.
Use high heat and avoid overcooking. Let the steak sit undisturbed to form a crust, then cook just until your desired doneness. Removing it promptly from the heat helps preserve juiciness.
Yes, just use vegan butter for dairy allergies or you can use ghee if you are sensitive to dairy!
These garlic butter steak bites are one of the easiest ways to make a restaurant-style dinner at home without a lot of effort. They're quick, naturally gluten-free, and packed with bold flavor!
More Healthy Steak Recipes
Easy Garlic Butter Steak Bites (Stovetop & Air Fryer!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs New York Strip Steaks, Cut into 1-1.5 inch cubes. I used 2 large steaks. Can also use sirloin or filet!
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt, I like to measure with my heart here – lots of salt works well for this recipe!
- ½ tsp pepper
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet (ideally cast iron) over medium high heat.
- Season the steak cubes generously with salt and pepper. Add them to the hot pan in a single layer, and do not touch for 2-3 minutes.
- Use tongs to flip the steak bites over – the bottoms should be nicely browned. After flipping, let them cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Add the butter and the garlic into the pan and stir everything together until the steak bites are coated and the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Serve topped with parsley and a side of mashed potatoes and green beans, or sides of choice.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Season steak bites with salt and pepper. Preheat your air fryer to 400. Spray the basket. Add the steak bites in a single layer and cook for 4-6 minutes. While they are cooking, melt the butter in a skillet. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, then add the parsley. When the steak bites are done, add them into the skillet and enjoy!
Notes
- Before the steak even hits the pan, pat it completely dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of a good sear! If the surface is damp, the steak will steam instead of developing that deep golden crust.
- Cook over high heat, use a heavy skillet like cast iron, and always arrange the steak in a single layer. Overcrowding causes the meat to release moisture and steam instead of sear. Avoid stirring too early - patience creates the crust!
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium-rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
