Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you love garlic like I do!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but it adds a lovely depth)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, for a bright finish)
Substitution tips: If you don’t have sirloin, flank steak or even filet mignon work wonderfully here. For a dairy-free version, swap butter with a high-quality olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. And if fresh garlic isn’t on hand, garlic powder is a decent backup—just use about 1 teaspoon.
Instructions
- Start by patting your steak pieces dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a great sear and prevents steaming. I learned this trick after one too many soggy pans in my early kitchen days!
- Season the steak bites generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Don’t be shy here—seasoning is key to flavor.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want the pan hot but not smoking. When you see it shimmer, add the steak bites in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Sear the steak bites for about 2-3 minutes without moving them. This creates a beautiful crust. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes until they reach your desired doneness (medium-rare to medium is my sweet spot).
- Remove the steak bites from the pan and set aside on a warm plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant—watch carefully so the garlic doesn’t burn. This step is where the magic really happens.
- Return the steak bites to the skillet and toss them in the garlic butter to coat evenly. If you like, add a splash of lemon juice here to brighten things up.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately. If you’re anything like me, this is the hardest part—waiting just long enough to not burn your tongue but not so long that the butter cools off.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Tender Steak Bites in Garlic Butter, recipe, cooking, food
