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    Steak Bites

    September 4, 2024

    Buttery and tender, these cast iron seared steak bites are cooked to perfection and then drizzled with homemade garlic butter. Dip these juicy butter steak bites in our garlic aioli dipping sauce.

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    homemade steak bites cooked in slat and olive oil then covered in melted garlic butter and seasoned with pepper
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    The Best Steak Bites Recipe

    We love a one pan wonder! Our latest favorite? Steak bites, or as some call them, good ol’ steak bits. One of the trickiest parts about cooking steak bites is that they can easily become tough or chewy. Our solution - cooking them in a cast iron skillet helps to achieve the perfect exterior sear on the outside, and a tender and flavorful interior. We make this recipe foolproof by allowing the steak bites to rest (which guarantees maximum juiciness) and then we go that extra mile and pour garlic butter on top. The garlicky butter seeps into the steak and creates an even more delicious bite! For more steak goodness, try our Grilled Skirt Steak!

    sirloin steak, olive oil, salt, butter, garlic cloves, and pepper in bowls to make steak bites

    What’s the Best Cut of Steak for Steak Bites?

    We feel the best steak for steak bites is the almighty sirloin! Sirloin steak comes from the hindquarter and tends to have a bit less marbling than other cuts of beef. This cut is known to be lean, flavorful, juicy, and tender - all the great traits we look for in steak bites! Another bonus about sirloin steak is the affordability in comparison to other cuts. Not a sirloin fan or have another cut of steak at home? You could easily swap out the sirloin cut for strip loin, rib eye, or tenderloin.

    sirloin steak cut in small pieces seasoned with salt being cooked in a cast iron skillet with olive oil

    Make Steak Bites Into a Meal! Here’s What to Serve with Steak Bites:

    You may be wondering, are steak bites an appetizer or a meal worthy recipe? We feel that they can be both! Steak bites work perfectly as finger food for gameday, movie night, or can be served as a dinner appetizer. Stick a toothpick in each bite and let your guests dip away in our garlic aioli. Our recipe for steak bites also works as a main dish or entree. We love pairing these flavorful bites with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, or roasted zucchini with parmesan. Leftovers? Heat up leftover steak bites and serve over white rice or pasta for a delicious second day meal.

    sirloin steak cut in small pieces seasoned with salt being cooked in a cast iron skillet with olive oil
    sirloin steak cut in small pieces seasoned with salt being cooked in a cast iron skillet with olive oil

    Everything You’ll Need to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites

    You may be wondering how a dish with so much garlicky goodness and buttery flavor can only have six ingredients! Here’s everything you’ll need to make these tender, butter garlic steak bites:

    • Sirloin steak

    • Extra virgin olive oil

    • Kosher salt

    • Unsalted butter

    • Garlic

    • Black pepper

    homemade cooked steak bites in a cast iron skillet seasoned with salt and cooked in olive oil

    How to Make Steak Bites 101:

    Sirloin steak bites, cooked hot and fast, have never tasted better! You may be wondering, how do you make tender steak pieces? Cooking the steak bites in a hot cast iron skillet allows for the exterior to become browned and flavorful, while leaving the interior tender and juicy. Here’s how to cook steak bites with garlic butter:

    1. Heat up the olive oil. The oil is ready for cooking when it starts to glisten in the cast iron skillet.

    2. Season the steak with salt.

    3. Cook the steak bites until all sides are nice and brown! You want to do this in batches, allowing for each steak bite to have direct contact with the skillet - the secret to success is to give the steak space to cook! Transfer to a serving plate and let rest.

    4. Garlic butter time! Turn your heat down to low and add butter. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about thirty seconds).

    5. The magic happens when you pour the garlic butter all over the steak bites and finish them with a sprinkle of black pepper.

    6. Not enough garlic? We recommend serving these delicious steak bites with garlic aioli.

    homemade steak bites on a plate with a ramekin of garlic aioli for dipping

    Tools You’ll Need

    Dip Dip Hurray! Check Out Some of Our Other Dipping Sauces for Steak Bites:

    Sauces make every recipe more fun, and help add versatility to your cooking. Wondering what to serve with steak bites? Try a few of these dipping sauces at your next gathering, and let everyone vote on their favorites!

    a steak bit on a fork being dipped into a ramekin of garlic aioli

    Crazy for Steak Bites?

    We’re right there with you! We can’t get enough of this simple yet delicious steak bites recipe! Snap a photo of your mouth-watering garlic steak bites. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

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    Steak Bites

    Updated on September 4, 2024

    • Serves:  6
    • Prep Time:  10 min
    • Cook Time:  20 min
    • Calories:  293
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    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds sirloin steaks, cut into 2-inch cubes
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 5 cloves garlic, minced
    • Freshly cracked black pepper
    • Garlic aioli

    Method

    1. Pat the steak dry with paper towels and season all over with salt.

    2. Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the steak in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching, and cook undisturbed until browned, 1-2 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other side, about another 6 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate.

    3. Reduce the heat to low and add the butter to the pan. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    4. Pour the garlic butter over the steak bites and sprinkle with pepper. Serve alongside garlic aioli for dipping.

    NOTE: You may have to work in batches when cooking the steak! Just be sure to remove the first batch from the pan before cooking the remaining steak.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 293
    • Protein 21 g
    • Carbohydrates 1 g
    • Total Fat 23 g
    • Dietary Fiber 0 g
    • Cholesterol 89 mg
    • sodium 240 mg
    • Total Sugars 0 g

    Steak Bites

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Karen

      Does the meat cook to well done? My husband cannot handle meat “doneness” any other way.

      You will need to cook it longer if you want it well done. We recommend using a meat thermometer and cooing it to his preferred temperature.

    • Toni

      How much steak needed for 10 adults for steak bites. Will be serving crab cakes and sockeye salmon too

      We'd probably double the recipe. Hope you enjoy!

    • MARGARET

      Is there a substitute for the cast iron pan?

      Any skillet will work.

    • Amanda

      My kids reject everything I make except pasta and tacos and they both loved these. The shock on their face was a little insulting but I'm just happy to have something to add to the rotation. We splurge and made the recipe with filet mignon, that said, we didn't have to buy as much because of the way it was served. The bites made it go a little further.

      Thanks Amanda, we are so happy your menu rotation just grew and that you all loved these!

    • Anna

      These were so quick and yummy and I made your aioli which just finished it!

      Thanks Anna, so happy you loved these!

    • Kay

      Absolutely delicious and very simple. Served with roasted potatoes and broccoli and of course that garlic aioli, yum!

      Sounds like a yummy dinner Kay! Glad you enjoyed!