This garlic butter steak bites recipe uses juicy sirloin steak cut into cubes that are pan seared to perfection and ready in just 20 minutes. They're paired with a simple garlic butter sauce!
Obsessed with garlic butter like me? Try my Garlic Butter Salmon or Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi.

Why you'll love it
This garlic butter steak bites recipe is easy to make and versatile. You can serve it as an appetizer, for a party snack, or as a main course. All you need is some steak and a few everyday ingredients! I mean, how can you go wrong with garlic and butter?
Another benefit is that these buttery steak bites are made all in one skillet, so it's hassle free in terms of clean-up. Cooking steak doesn't need to be intimidating with this stovetop method, and you get tender, juicy steak every time. It's really the easiest way to cook steak.
What you'll need
- Sirloin - a good quality sirloin is a good compromise between tenderness and cost
- Salt & pepper - seasoning the meat generously is key to a good crust and flavor
- Olive oil - for pan searing the steak
- Butter - also used in frying the beef, and it makes up the foundation of the irresistible pan sauce
- Garlic - use even more than I suggest if you want it extra garlicky. I like to use this garlic press so that it's fuss-free to mince since you don't even need to peel the cloves, and it's much faster than chopping garlic finely by hand.
- Parsley - for a pop of freshness and contrast
Pro tips
- If you can, let the steak warm up a bit prior to getting started. At least 30 minutes is ideal. The reason behind doing this is because a super cold steak straight from the fridge is liable to not cook evenly.
- The key to getting a good sear on the steak is not crowding the pan, ensuring the pan is really HOT, and not moving the steak around while it's cooking.

How to make garlic butter steak bites
This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Cut the steak into 1" cubes and season generously with salt & pepper. Add the oil and butter to a hot skillet. Working in batches, cook the steak for about 4 minutes total, flipping once.
- The steak cubes will cook fast, so be mindful to not overcook them. As you finish cooking the steak, transfer it to a plate.
- Once all the steak has been cooked, turn the heat down and add the remaining butter and the garlic to the skillet. Let it sizzle until the garlic has just cooked, then take the pan off the heat and add the steak back in and toss to coat.
Substitutions and variations
- A ribeye or New York strip steak would work as well if you want to spend a bit more. Something that's well marbled is best.
- If you'd like to add a little heat, I recommend tossing in some crushed red pepper flakes to your liking.
What to serve with steak bites
- They're great as a main course, and I love pairing them with Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Noodles, my Creamed Spinach, and Creamy Garlic Mushrooms. Crusty bread works too for soaking up the sauce.
- Of course, they're awesome as part of an appetizer spread at a party! Serve them with toothpicks alongside other favorites like Grape Jelly Meatballs and my Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip.
- However you serve them, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just prior to eating is delicious on steak and something I never skip!
Leftovers and storage
- Steak bites will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days as long as they're in an airtight container, but they may get tougher as time goes on.
- Reheat in a saucepan over a low heat until warmed through.
- I don't recommend freezing leftover steak. The texture might not come out as you'd expect when thawed.
Try these beef recipes next

Questions about these stovetop garlic steak bites? Let me know in the comments below, and leave me a review if you made them!

Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds sirloin steak (or use ribeye, strip steak, or another tender well marbled cut) cut into 1" pieces
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoon butter (1/2 stick) divided
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Take the steak out of the fridge and let it warm up for 30 minutes prior to starting the recipe if you can.
- Cut the steak into 1" pieces and season each piece generously with salt & pepper.
- Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Let the pan heat up for a few minutes. Add the meat in a single layer (don't crowd it and do two batches). Cook for about 2 minutes then flip and cook for another 2 minutes for the steak to be cooked to medium temperature. Repeat with the second batch. Don't move the steak around the pan... just let it cook undisturbed to get a good sear. Once each batch is done, transfer it to a plate. You can always test one piece of steak to get a good idea of timing prior to doing a whole batch.
- Turn the heat down to medium low and add the remaining butter and garlic to the pan. Cook, stirring almost constantly, for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is cooked (but don't let it burn/get too dark). Take the pan off the heat and add the steak (and juices from the plate) back and toss with the butter sauce. Serve immediately with parsley sprinkled over top.
Notes
- Serves 4-6 as an appetizer or 2-4 as a main course depending on what else it's served with.
- Do not overcook the steak as it'll end up tough and leathery.
- I love a good cast iron skillet for cooking steak. My Le Creuset skillet is pictured, and I also love Lodge cast iron.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Belen says
OMG! We love this recipe...! Beyond simple to cook and extremely delicuis!
Natasha says
Yay!! I'm so happy to hear that!
Moises Abundes says
This was the most delicious stake I ever tasted
Natasha says
Wonderful!!
Sobxgal says
This was pretty good. Super easy. I used filet for the steak. Will definitely make again.
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
Happy you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Michelle says
Delicious, easy to make recipe. Served with mashed potatoes as a main dish dinner and the entire family loved it! Thanks
Natasha says
Fantastic!! Thanks for letting me know!
Rosemary Reager says
I loved this recipe. I drizzled a bit of Chimichurri sauce on it and served the rest of it as a dipping sauce for those that wanted more. It was great!
Natasha says
Yay I'm so glad to hear that!! I love chimichurri... that is a great idea!
Joyce says
This steak is delicious. That squirt of lemon is a don't skip step. 😋 Yum!!!
Natasha says
Thank you so much!! 🙂 Glad you liked it!
Chris Olson says
I just made this and it smells delicious and taste delicious and oops it’s all gone! YUM! Great instructions and tasty recipe!
Natasha says
That's fantastic!! 🙂 Thanks for commenting, Chris!
Julie Abouchacra says
You can also add pomegranate molasses after the garlic cooks in the butter abd then mix with with the steak cubes.
Natasha says
Sure!