When you’re craving a restaurant-quality meal but are short on time, these Garlic Butter Beef Bites are the answer. Imagine tender, juicy morsels of beef with a perfect sear, drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce and flecked with fresh parsley. It sounds decadent, but this entire dish comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a true weeknight hero. These incredible Garlic Butter Beef Bites are proof that you don’t need a long list of complicated ingredients to create something spectacular.
With just a handful of pantry staples, you can turn a simple steak into a meal that the whole family will request again and again. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. By using ghee instead of butter, these Garlic Butter Beef Bites easily become a Paleo and Whole30-friendly dinner that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
If you love quick and satisfying skillet meals, our Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is another fantastic option for your weekly rotation. But when you want pure, rich, beefy goodness, these Garlic Butter Beef Bites are simply unbeatable.
Table of Contents
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Quick Garlic Butter Beef Bites (20-Minute Recipe)
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 pounds of steak cut into small bite size pieces
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 6 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1. Season the steak bites with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and stir until well coated.
- Step 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil to the hot skillet and then add the steak in a single layer. Cook the steak bites for 3-4 minutes until brown, stirring occasionally. You may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet. Once the steak is brown, remove it from the pan.
- Step 3. Remove any excess water from the skillet and then add the butter or ghee to the pan. Next add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
- Step 4. Add the steak back to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes stirring to coat it in the butter sauce. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Garnish with green onion and serve immediately.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Choosing Your Steak: The cut of meat you choose can make a big difference. For tender, melt-in-your-mouth results, use a quality cut like sirloin, New York strip, or ribeye. These cuts have a great balance of flavor and tenderness that works perfectly for quick cooking.
Getting the Perfect Sear: The key to a beautiful, brown crust is a hot skillet and not overcrowding the pan. Make sure your skillet is properly preheated before adding the oil. Place the beef in a single layer with space between the pieces. If you overcrowd the pan, the beef will steam instead of sear, resulting in a grey, tough exterior. If your skillet isn’t large enough, it’s better to cook the Garlic Butter Beef Bites in two batches.
Avoiding Tough Beef: The number one cause of tough Garlic Butter Beef Bites is overcooking. These are small pieces that cook very quickly! You’re just looking to brown the outside and keep the inside juicy and slightly pink. Remember that the beef bites will continue to cook a bit from residual heat, so pull them from the pan when they’re slightly less done than you prefer.
The Best Pan for Searing: Why a Cast-Iron Skillet Shines
While any heavy-bottomed skillet will work, using a cast-iron skillet will take your Garlic Butter Beef Bites to the next level. The secret to a restaurant-quality, deeply browned crust is often a screaming-hot cast-iron pan.
Cast iron’s primary advantage is its ability to get incredibly hot and stay hot. When you add the beef, a lesser pan would cool down, leading to steaming. A preheated cast-iron skillet maintains its temperature, delivering consistent heat that creates a delicious, browned crust. It also distributes heat evenly, eliminating hot spots and ensuring every piece cooks at the same rate. Finally, a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet has a natural non-stick surface, which prevents the beef from sticking and keeps that beautiful crust on the meat.
If you don’t own a cast-iron skillet, a heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan is your next best option. Avoid thin, non-stick pans, as they can’t maintain the high temperatures needed for a perfect sear.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Beef Bites
The rich garlic butter sauce from the Garlic Butter Beef Bites is perfect for soaking up, so consider sides that can take full advantage of it.
Classic Comfort Pairings
- Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate comfort food pairing, creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect bed for the savory beef bites and their decadent sauce.
- Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or slice of sourdough is the perfect tool for sopping up every last drop of the glorious garlic butter sauce.
- Rice or Egg Noodles: Serve the beef bites over a bed of fluffy steamed rice or buttery egg noodles for a simple yet satisfying meal that lets the beefy flavor shine.
Low-Carb and Healthy Options
- Cauliflower Rice: A fantastic low-carb, Paleo, and Whole30-friendly substitute for grains that readily absorbs the delicious sauce.
- Zucchini Noodles: “Zoodles” offer a light, fresh, and healthy alternative. Sauté them in the pan after the beef is cooked to coat them in the remaining sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasting vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers brings out their natural sweetness, which beautifully complements the garlic-infused beef.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad tossed in a bright, acidic vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the butter sauce, creating a perfect sense of balance.
Recipe Variations
While this recipe for Garlic Butter Beef Bites is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization.
- Add Mushrooms and Onions: For a steakhouse feel, sauté sliced cremini mushrooms and a thinly sliced onion in the skillet after searing the beef. Once they are golden brown, add the garlic and proceed with the recipe.
- Herb Variations: For an earthier flavor, add 1 teaspoon of fresh minced thyme or rosemary along with the garlic to let the herbs bloom in the butter.
- A Touch of Acidity: To brighten the dish and cut through the richness, squeeze in about a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice after removing the pan from the heat.
- Make it Umami-Rich: For a deeper, savory flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos for a Paleo/Whole30 option) to the skillet with the butter and garlic.
While this recipe is a champion of speed, sometimes a slow, hands-off meal is what the day calls for. For those moments, you might love the set-it-and-forget-it ease of these Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs or the classic comfort of our Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage: Store leftover Garlic Butter Beef Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Avoid the microwave. Reheat gently in a skillet over low-medium heat for a few minutes to warm through and preserve their tender texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best cut of steak to use for garlic butter beef bites?
For the most tender results, use sirloin, New York strip, or ribeye. Their flavor and marbling are ideal for these quick-cooking Garlic Butter Beef Bites.
How do I get a good sear on the beef bites?
Use a hot, large skillet (cast iron is best) over medium-high heat. Don’t overcrowd the pan, cooking in batches if necessary to ensure every piece makes good contact with the hot surface.
Can I use frozen steak for this recipe?
For the best sear, use a fully thawed steak. A frozen steak will release water and steam instead of sear, resulting in tough, grey meat. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
What is the best way to cut the steak for even cooking?
Cut the steak into uniform 1-inch cubes. Importantly, slice against the grain (perpendicular to the muscle fibers) to ensure the Garlic Butter Beef Bites are tender.
Why use ghee for Whole30 and Paleo?
Ghee is clarified butter with milk solids removed, making it compliant for Whole30 and Paleo diets. It offers a rich, buttery flavor and has a high smoke point, which is perfect for searing Garlic Butter Beef Bites without burning.
How do I prevent the beef from turning out tough?
The key is to not overcook it. Sear the bites for just a few minutes until browned on the outside, leaving the inside juicy. They cook very quickly.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
These Garlic Butter Beef Bites are best served fresh. You can prep ahead by cubing the steak and chopping the herbs, storing them in separate airtight containers in the fridge.
Why are my beef bites tough?
Toughness is usually caused by overcooking, using a tough cut of meat (like stew meat), or crowding the pan, which steams the beef instead of searing it.
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