25-Minute Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites You’ll Crave

Let me tell you about the recipe that changed my weeknight dinner game forever – these insanely delicious creamy garlic butter steak bites. I first made them on a frantic Wednesday when I needed something fast but special, and wow, did they deliver! Tender sirloin cubes swimming in that luscious garlicky cream sauce came together in less time than it takes to order takeout. Now it’s my go-to when I want to feel fancy without the fuss. The best part? That silky sauce clinging to every juicy bite will have everyone at your table begging for seconds.

Why You’ll Love These Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Trust me, this recipe is about to become your new weeknight superhero. Here’s why:

Key Benefits of This Recipe

  • 25-minute magic: From fridge to table faster than pizza delivery – perfect for those “I’m starving NOW” moments
  • Restaurant wow factor: That luxurious cream sauce makes it feel like a special occasion (even if you’re eating in pajamas)
  • One-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time to actually enjoy your food (and maybe even relax!)
  • Endlessly adaptable: Swap in mushrooms, use different herbs, or adjust the garlic to your taste – it’s foolproof

The first time I made these, my husband thought I’d spent hours cooking. Little did he know I’d barely broken a sweat!

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible steak bites – I promise it’s all simple stuff you might already have! The magic happens when these basic ingredients come together just right.

The Steak

  • 1 1/2 lb sirloin steak: Cut into 1-inch cubes against the grain (this makes them extra tender)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt: Trust me, this makes all the difference
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper: Freshly cracked if you’ve got it
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika: My secret weapon for depth of flavor

The Aromatics

  • 4 cloves garlic: Minced (don’t you dare use that pre-minced stuff!)
  • 1 small onion: Thinly sliced – yellow or white works great

The Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil: For that perfect sear
  • 3 tbsp butter: Divided – because butter makes everything better
  • 1/2 cup beef broth: Helps deglaze all those tasty browned bits
  • 1 cup heavy cream: Packed – this is what makes the sauce so luxurious
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard: Optional but adds amazing depth
  • 1 tsp dried thyme: Or fresh if you’ve got it

See? Nothing fancy – just good, honest ingredients ready to work some magic!

Equipment Needed

Here’s the beautiful part – you don’t need fancy gadgets to make these creamy garlic butter steak bites shine! Just grab these trusty kitchen essentials:

  • 12-inch skillet: My cast iron works magic for that perfect sear, but any heavy-bottomed pan will do
  • Tongs: Essential for flipping those steak bites without losing precious juices
  • Cutting board: Preferably one with a juice groove – things get messy when you’re slicing steak
  • Sharp knife: Makes cubing the steak against the grain a breeze

That’s seriously it! No special equipment required – just good old-fashioned tools that probably already live in your kitchen drawers.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Alright, let’s dive into making these heavenly steak bites! The secret lies in getting that perfect sear on the meat and building a silky smooth garlic butter sauce that coats every bite. Follow these steps and you’ll be in steak bite heaven in no time.

Step 1: Preparing the Steak

First things first – grab your steak cubes and pat them completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial! Wet meat won’t brown properly, and we want those gorgeous caramelized edges. Once dry, toss them with the salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. I like to do this right on the cutting board – less dishes to wash later!

Step 2: Searing the Steak Bites

Heat your skillet over medium-high heat until it’s nice and hot – I test this by flicking a few drops of water in the pan. If they sizzle and evaporate immediately, you’re good to go! Add the olive oil, then carefully place the steak bites in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan! Work in batches if needed – patience pays off here. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until you get that beautiful brown crust. Transfer to a plate and try not to sneak too many bites!

Step 3: Building the Creamy Garlic Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Toss in those sliced onions and sauté until they’re soft and translucent – about 3-4 minutes. Now add the garlic (your kitchen will smell amazing!) and cook just 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the pan bottom – that’s pure flavor gold right there!

Step 4: Combining and Finishing

Stir in the heavy cream, thyme, and Dijon mustard if using. Let this simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly – you’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon. Now return all those gorgeous steak bites (and their juices!) to the pan. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes just to warm everything through. Here comes the magic touch – turn off the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and glossy. Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges for that perfect bright finish.

See? Easy peasy! The whole process takes less time than waiting for delivery, and the results are a million times better. Just try not to drink that sauce straight from the pan – though I wouldn’t blame you if you did!

Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites

After making these steak bites more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks that take them from good to “oh-my-god-I-need-the-recipe” amazing:

Fresh garlic is non-negotiable. That jarred stuff just won’t give you the same punch of flavor. I press mine right into the pan for maximum garlicky goodness.

Let your steak rest before cubing – about 10 minutes out of the fridge helps it keep its juices when you cut it. Cold meat is tougher to slice neatly too!

Watch your sauce thickness like a hawk. If it’s too thin, simmer a minute longer. Too thick? Splash in a bit more broth or cream.

Undercook slightly when searing – the steak will finish cooking in the sauce and stay perfectly tender.

Serving Suggestions

Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve these creamy garlic butter steak bites! They’re perfect over a pile of buttery mashed potatoes or crispy roasted baby potatoes – that sauce just begs to be soaked up. For something lighter, try them with garlicky sautéed spinach or roasted asparagus. And always have crusty bread on hand – you’ll want to swipe up every last drop of that dreamy sauce!

Storing and Reheating Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Leftovers? Ha! Just kidding – though these steak bites rarely last long in my house. If you’re lucky enough to have some, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, go low and slow – gently warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or cream to revive that luscious sauce. Whatever you do, avoid the microwave unless you want rubbery steak swimming in separated sauce (trust me, I learned this the hard way!).

Nutritional Information

Just a quick heads up – these numbers are estimates based on my exact ingredients. Your creamy garlic butter steak bites might vary slightly depending on your steak’s marbling or how generous you are with that delicious sauce!

Per serving (about 1/4 recipe): 520 calories, 35g protein, 38g fat (19g saturated). It’s rich, yes, but oh-so-worth it for that melt-in-your-mouth experience. The protein keeps you full, while that glorious fat carries all those incredible garlic butter flavors straight to your taste buds!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I use a different cut of steak for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin is my go-to for these creamy garlic butter steak bites, you can substitute with ribeye (extra rich!), tenderloin (super tender), or even flat iron steak. Just avoid super lean cuts – you need some marbling for flavor and tenderness.

Q2. Can I prep these steak bites ahead of time?
You bet! I often cube and season the steak in the morning, then refrigerate until dinner. The sauce comes together so fast – just sear the steak bites when ready and whip up the creamy pan sauce fresh. The flavors actually get better if the steak marinates a bit!

Q3. What’s a good dairy-free option for the cream sauce?
No problem! Swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk (the canned kind) and use ghee or vegan butter instead of regular butter. The sauce won’t be quite as thick, but the flavor is still amazing!

Q4. Can I freeze these creamy garlic butter steak bites?
Honestly? I don’t recommend it. The cream sauce tends to separate when thawed, and the steak can get tough. This recipe shines brightest when served fresh – but leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for a couple days!

Q5. Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Of course! Just use two skillets or cook the steak in batches – overcrowding will steam the meat instead of searing it. The sauce ingredients scale up perfectly. This easy weeknight steak recipe turns into an impressive dinner party dish in no time!

Print

25-Minute Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites You’ll Crave

Juicy sirloin steak bites seared and simmered in a rich garlic butter cream sauce.

  • Author: jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lb sirloin steak, cut into bite-size strips or cubes
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for depth)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat steak dry. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and sear 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Remove to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tbsp butter, then the sliced onion. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in beef broth and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
  6. Add heavy cream, thyme, and (if using) Dijon and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Return steak (and juices) to the skillet. Simmer 2–3 minutes until warmed through and coated.
  8. Turn off heat and stir in remaining 2 tbsp butter. Finish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

  • Cut steak against the grain for tenderness
  • Use fresh garlic for best flavor
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to taste
  • Serve with crusty bread to soak up sauce

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 19g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 165mg

Keywords: creamy garlic butter steak bites, steak bites in creamy sauce, skillet steak bites, creamy pan sauce steak, easy weeknight steak recipe, garlic butter steak

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