Description
This Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites recipe features tender chunks of steak seasoned with a bold Cajun spice blend, seared to perfection in a skillet, and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Seasoning Blend
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or less, to taste
- 1/2 tsp packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 lbs. steak (strip steak, sirloin, ribeye, etc.)
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- Minced fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Steak: Slice the steak into roughly 2-inch pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. This size ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
- Season the Steak: In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, light brown sugar, and dried thyme. Sprinkle this seasoning blend over the steak bites in the mixing bowl and toss well to coat all the pieces evenly.
- Preheat the Skillet: Place a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Heat the skillet while it’s dry for several minutes until you see faint wisps of smoke, indicating it’s hot enough for searing.
- Sear the Steak Bites (in batches): Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom. Add about half the steak bites to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it—this allows for proper browning. Sear the steak bites without moving them for 2 minutes, then flip and sear for another 2 minutes until they develop a deep brown crust. Remove the cooked steak bites to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining oil and steak bites.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low but keep the same skillet operational to retain the flavorful browned bits. Add the butter and allow it to melt gently. Add the finely minced or grated garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to scrape up and incorporate the flavorful browned bits into the butter.
- Combine and Serve: Turn off the heat and return all the steak bites back to the skillet. Stir well to coat the steak pieces evenly with the garlic butter sauce. Garnish with minced fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan for best searing results.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet to ensure the steak bites brown properly instead of steaming.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level of the dish.
- Allow the skillet to get very hot before adding oil to achieve a good sear.
- Fresh parsley adds color and a hint of freshness—feel free to omit if unavailable.
- Letting the steak rest a few minutes after cooking (if time allows) can help the juices redistribute.
