If you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and a little bit indulgent, I’ve got the perfect idea for you. This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is one of my go-tos when I want a satisfying dinner that doesn’t keep me in the kitchen all evening.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this recipe—it was late on a weeknight and I desperately needed something delicious without the fuss. The tender steak bites, richly coated in garlic butter, hit every craving point perfectly.
- Fast and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s ideal for busy evenings.
- Tender and Flavorful: The steak bites are perfectly seared and soaked in a garlicky butter sauce.
- Flexible Ingredients: Easily adapted for Paleo, Whole30, or dairy-free diets by swapping butter for ghee.
- Perfect for Any Meal: Works wonderfully as a main dish or even a hearty appetizer.
Ingredients & Why They Work
For this recipe, choosing fresh, quality ingredients makes all the difference. I like to use a good cut of steak for tenderness and flavor, and don’t skimp on fresh garlic and parsley—they really brighten up the dish.

- Avocado oil: A high smoke point oil perfect for searing steak bites without burning.
- Steak: Using a tender cut cut into small pieces ensures quick cooking and juicy results.
- Salt: Essential to enhance the natural flavors of the steak.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a subtle kick and depth to the seasoning.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional, but great for a bit of spicy warmth.
- Butter or ghee: Creates that rich, garlicky sauce—ghee works well if you need a dairy-free version.
- Minced garlic: Fresh garlic makes the sauce fragrant and flavorful without overpowering.
- Chopped parsley: Adds a fresh, herby brightness to finish the dish.
- Green onion: Garnishes the final dish with a mild, fresh crunch and color.
Make It Your Way
The beauty of this Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is how easy it is to tailor to your tastes and dietary needs. Whether you want to dial up the heat, keep it dairy-free, or add a fresh twist with herbs, there’s room to make it your own.
- Dairy-Free Option: I often swap butter for ghee when I want a Whole30 or Paleo-friendly version—ghee adds a lovely richness without the dairy and melts perfectly with the garlic.
- Spice It Up: Sometimes I bump up the red pepper flakes or toss in a pinch of smoked paprika for an extra smoky kick that pairs beautifully with the garlic butter.
- Herbal Twist: Fresh thyme or rosemary stirred in at the end makes the dish feel more fragrant and seasonal; it’s a subtle but delightful change.
- Serving Suggestions: For a wholesome Paleo meal, I like serving these steak bites over cauliflower rice or alongside steamed veggies—simple, satisfying, and low carb.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Step 1: Season the Steak Bites
Start by tossing your bite-sized steak pieces in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of salt, ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Give them a good stir so every piece is evenly coated—this seasoning step builds the foundation for that mouthwatering flavor.
Step 2: Sear the Steak to Perfection
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add ½ tablespoon of avocado oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add your steak bites in a single layer—don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of sear. Cook the steak for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until you get a beautiful brown crust. If your pan can’t hold all at once, cook the steak in batches for the best caramelization. Remove the steak and set it aside when browned.
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic in Butter (or Ghee)
Pour off any excess water from the pan to ensure your garlic sautés nicely instead of boiling. Add 2 tablespoons of butter or ghee and let it melt over medium heat. Then add 6 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute—watch carefully! You want the garlic to become fragrant and soft, but not browned, to avoid bitterness.
Step 4: Bring It All Together and Finish
Return the browned steak bites to the skillet and stir them around for 1 to 2 minutes to coat every morsel in the luscious garlic butter sauce. Once everything is heated through and glossy, take the pan off the heat. Stir in ¼ cup of chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant touch, then garnish with sliced green onions just before serving. Now dive in while it’s hot and delicious!
Top Tip
Getting the perfect sear and rich flavor in your Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is all about the little details. These tips will help you take your steak bites from great to unforgettable!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: I’ve learned that cooking the steak bites in batches is key. Crowding the skillet causes steaming instead of searing, and you miss out on that beautiful crust.
- Season Well and Early: Seasoning the steak before cooking helps the flavors penetrate. I like to toss the pieces in salt, freshly ground pepper, and just a pinch of red pepper flakes for that subtle kick.
- Use High Heat and Quick Cook Time: Cooking the steak bites quickly on medium-high heat ensures they stay tender and juicy rather than drying out.
- Don’t Skip the Garlic Butter: Adding garlic sautéed in butter or ghee after searing seals in the flavor and provides that luscious coating that makes this recipe shine.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley and sliced green onions are classic garnishes that add freshness and color to your Garlic Butter Steak Bites. For an extra pop, sprinkle a few more red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors just before serving.
Side Dishes
These steak bites pair wonderfully with Paleo-friendly sides like cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables, keeping the meal light yet satisfying. For something heartier, creamy mashed potatoes or garlic butter pasta complement the rich sauce beautifully.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover garlic butter steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3 days, making for great quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
Freezing
If you want to freeze your cooked steak bites, spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They will maintain their best quality for up to 2 months.
Reheating
For best results when reheating, warm the steak bites gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to keep them tender and preserve the garlic butter sauce. Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain that lovely sear and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Cuts like sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak work well when cut into bite-sized pieces. Just be sure to trim excess fat and slice evenly for consistent cooking.
Simply swap the butter for ghee or a high-quality avocado oil to keep the dish Whole30 and Paleo friendly without sacrificing flavor.
Yes! Fresh thyme or rosemary are great options that complement the garlic butter nicely and add a new layer of aroma and taste.
You can season the steak bites in advance and keep them in the fridge for a few hours before cooking, but for the best sear and flavor, it's easiest to cook just before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to meals for busy weeknights. It's quick, packed with flavor, and comforting—the perfect balance of juicy steak and rich garlic butter. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a little extra warmth to your table!
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Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender steak bites sautéed in garlic butter and fresh herbs make a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner. This simple and delicious recipe features perfectly seared steak pieces seasoned with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, then coated in a rich butter and garlic sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it can easily be adapted to Paleo, Whole30, and dairy-free diets by choosing ghee instead of butter.
Ingredients
Steak Bites
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 pounds steak, cut into small bite size pieces
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 6 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- Green onion, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Steak: In a large bowl, combine the steak bites with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Sear the Steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil and once hot, add the steak bites in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing them to brown, stirring occasionally. If your skillet is not large enough, cook the steak in batches to avoid overcrowding. Remove the browned steak from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: Pour off any excess water left in the skillet. Add butter or ghee to the pan and let it melt over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Combine and Finish: Return the steak bites to the skillet and stir for 1 to 2 minutes to coat them well in the garlic butter sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the chopped parsley, and garnish with sliced green onion before serving immediately.
Notes
- Use ghee instead of butter for a dairy-free or Whole30 compliant version.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking the steak to ensure proper browning.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes quantity to control the heat level.
- Serve with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables for a complete Paleo-friendly meal.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can be added for extra flavor variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg



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