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Garlic butter steak bites in a cast iron skillet

20-Minute Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Juicy sirloin cubes seared hard in a cast-iron skillet and tossed in foaming garlic-thyme butter — a 20-minute one-pan dinner with steakhouse flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Cut the sirloin into even 1-inch cubes against the grain. Pat very dry with paper towels, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and rest at room temperature 10-15 minutes.
  2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until just smoking, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon oil and sear half the steak in a single layer, undisturbed, for 2 minutes.
  3. Flip and sear 1-2 minutes more until browned on two sides (130-135°F for medium-rare). Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining oil and steak.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Melt the butter until foaming, then add garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes; stir 30-45 seconds until fragrant and lightly golden.
  5. Return all steak bites plus plate juices to the skillet. Toss 45-60 seconds, spooning garlic butter over every cube. Remove from heat, top with parsley and a squeeze of lemon, and serve immediately.

Notes

Pat the steak very dry and sear in two uncrowded batches — this is what builds the crust. Pull at 130°F for medium-rare; the bites carry over a few degrees in the hot butter. Mince the garlic fine so it melts into the butter instead of burning.