Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites: Barefoot Contessa’s Recipe

Juicy steak bites with garlic butter dance on the edge of culinary perfection, promising a mouthwatering experience that will leave you craving more.

This Barefoot Contessa recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Each tender morsel promises a burst of rich, savory goodness that melts in your mouth.

The combination of perfectly seared beef and luscious garlic butter creates an irresistible harmony of flavors.

Simple ingredients come together in a quick and elegant dish that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Sizzling in a hot skillet, these steak bites deliver a restaurant-worthy meal in just minutes.

Get ready to impress your dinner companions with this foolproof, flavor-packed recipe that transforms an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

Store Steak Bites While Keeping Them Tender

• Maximize Meal Prep: Slice steak into bite-sized pieces in advance and store in an airtight container for quick cooking during busy weeknights.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep leftover steak bites in a sealed container for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety when reheating gently in a skillet.
• Freeze for Future: Pack cooled steak bites in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air, and store for up to 2 months – perfect for quick protein additions to salads or quick meals.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated or thawed steak bites in a hot skillet with a touch of butter for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to maintain their juicy texture and prevent overcooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

Barefoot Contessa Steak Bites with Garlic Butter: What You Need

• Beef Tenderloin: Choose a high-quality, well-marbled cut for maximum tenderness and rich flavor, trimming excess fat before cooking.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural beef taste and create a perfect savory crust.

• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a robust, pungent flavor that complements the richness of the steak.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb that provides a fresh, herbal finish and adds visual appeal to the dish.

• Olive Oil: High-heat cooking oil that helps create a beautiful golden-brown sear on the steak's exterior.
• Butter: Adds a luxurious, creamy texture and helps create a silky, flavorful coating for the steak bites.

Tools for Searing Steak Bites Like a Chef

• Large Skillet: Heavy-bottomed pan perfect for high-heat cooking and creating golden-brown steak bites.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing and seasoning the steak.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for slicing steak into even, bite-sized pieces.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Great for stirring and turning steak while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serving Platter: Ideal for presenting the finished garlic butter steak bites.

Directions to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites at Home

• Pan Preparation Hot Surface

Select a large skillet and bring it to intense heat with a splash of olive oil creating a sizzling cooking environment.

• Meat Selection Seasoning

Generously coat raw beef pieces with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance natural meat flavors.

• Searing Magic

Place meat chunks carefully into hot pan, ensuring each piece touches the surface directly. Allow golden caramelization to develop by cooking approximately 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally for even browning.

• Flavor Infusion

Drop creamy butter and minced garlic into the pan, swirling and coating meat with rich, aromatic sauce. Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until meat glistens with garlic butter.

• Fresh Finish

Sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley across the top, adding a bright color and herbaceous note. Transfer immediately to serving plate while steaming hot.

Flavor Hacks for Barefoot Contessa Steak Bites

• Adjust the heat based on your preferred steak doneness, using medium-high for medium and high for well-done, ensuring perfect caramelization every time.
• Marinate steak bites in soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or red wine for 30 minutes before cooking to infuse rich, complex flavors into the meat.
• Use a larger skillet or cook in multiple batches to prevent overcrowding, which helps achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior and prevents steaming the meat.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives instead of parsley to create unique flavor profiles that complement the garlic butter sauce.
• Pair these steak bites with roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce, turning a simple dish into a complete meal.

Serve These Steak Bites as an Appetizer or Main

• Pair with Rustic Crusty Bread: Slice a warm baguette or artisan bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce, creating the perfect accompaniment to these juicy steak bites.
• Create a Quick Salad Companion: Toss together a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, savory flavors of the garlic butter steak bites.
• Serve Over Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Spoon the steak bites and their buttery sauce over smooth, velvety mashed potatoes for a comforting and indulgent meal that will satisfy any hunger.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or chives on top to add a bright, fresh finish that complements the deep, meaty flavors of the dish.

Sizzling Barefoot Contessa Steak Bites With Garlic Butter Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s steak bites with garlic butter elevate simple ingredients into a luxurious appetizer or main course. Quick searing creates caramelized edges while melted butter adds rich, savory complexity that keeps diners craving more.

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Ingredients

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• 1.25 lbs (567 g) sirloin steak, cut into small cubes
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsps minced garlic
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp minced parsley

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat a large skillet over high heat, coating the surface with olive oil to create an ideal searing environment for the steak.
2. Seasoning: Thoroughly coat the steak pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor development.
3. Searing: Carefully arrange the seasoned meat in a single layer across the hot skillet, allowing each piece to caramelize without overcrowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes, gently stirring to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
4. Batching: If necessary, work in multiple batches to maintain optimal cooking temperature and achieve perfect golden-brown exteriors on all steak pieces.
5. Garlic Infusion: Add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the pan, creating a rich, aromatic sauce that will thoroughly coat and enhance the meat’s flavor profile.
6. Finishing: Stir the steak continuously for 1-2 minutes, ensuring each piece becomes completely enveloped in the fragrant garlic butter emulsion. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the glistening meat for a vibrant, herbaceous touch.
7. Serving: Immediately transfer the hot, succulent steak bites to serving plates, ready to be enjoyed at the peak of their flavor and texture.

Notes

• Sear with Space: Avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming the meat.
• Temperature Matters: Use high heat to create a beautiful caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• Batch Cooking Technique: Cook steak in multiple batches if needed to maintain optimal pan temperature and ensure even cooking.
• Herb Finishing Touch: Add fresh parsley just before serving to bring brightness and fresh flavor to the rich garlic butter steak bites.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg