What the heck is this?
Imagine your favorite steakhouse dinner — seared steak, rich sauce, buttery everything — then shrink it down into bite-sized pieces that cook in one pan and under 30 minutes. Welcome to the magic of Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce. It’s got sizzling, golden-crusted steak cubes bathed in garlicky butter and finished with a velvety parmesan cream sauce that clings to every bite like a cozy sweater. It’s indulgent but not fussy, rich but totally doable on a Wednesday night. Serve it with bread to mop up the sauce or over mashed potatoes to really live your best life.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Steakhouse quality in your sweatpants.
- The garlic butter? Unreasonably good.
- That parmesan sauce = liquid gold.
- Minimal prep, one skillet, big pay-off.
- Great for date night, dinner guests, or when you’re just craving something extra.
- Leftovers? If you’re lucky enough to have any, they reheat beautifully.
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Steak Bites:
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
- Salt + black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
- Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
For the Parmesan Cream Sauce:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan (fresh is best)
- Salt + pepper to taste
- A little squeeze of lemon juice (trust me)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Sear the Steak Bites
Pat steak cubes dry (important for that crust!) and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak in a single layer (do this in batches if needed) for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove to a plate.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter Magic
In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Return the steak bites to the skillet and toss in the garlic butter until well coated. Remove from heat and set aside while you work on the sauce.
Step 3: Whip Up the Sauce
In a small saucepan (or clean skillet), melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened — about 3–5 minutes. Stir in parmesan, then season with salt, pepper, and a small squeeze of lemon juice to cut the richness.
Step 4: Sauce + Serve
Plate the steak bites and drizzle generously with the parmesan cream sauce (or serve it on the side for dipping — up to you). Garnish with more parmesan and a few fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
Serving Suggestions
Spoon it over mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or creamy polenta.
Serve with crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce.
Add a simple green salad and you’ve got a full-on fancy meal in under 30.
Switch It Up
- Go Herby: Add rosemary or parsley instead of thyme.
- Spice It: Stir a little Dijon mustard or hot sauce into the cream sauce.
- Add Veg: Mushrooms, spinach, or roasted cherry tomatoes would love this sauce.
- Make It Surf & Turf: Add shrimp to the skillet right after searing the steak.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can cube and season the steak in advance — store it in the fridge up to 24 hours.
The sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated with a splash of cream.
Steak bites reheat best in a skillet — avoid microwaving if you want to keep the texture just right.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: What’s the best cut of steak to use?
A: Sirloin is budget-friendly and tender, but ribeye or NY strip work too if you’re feeling baller.
Q: Can I use milk instead of cream?
A: You can, but the sauce will be thinner. Add a bit more parmesan to help thicken it up.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: You can use plant-based butter and a dairy-free cream alternative, but you’ll need to experiment with a vegan parm sub too.
Q: What’s the secret to a good sear?
A: Dry steak + hot pan + don’t crowd the skillet. Let it sit untouched to develop that crust.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce: Fancy Vibes, Lazy Energy
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Imagine your favorite steakhouse dinner — seared steak, rich sauce, buttery everything — then shrink it down into bite-sized pieces that cook in one pan and under 30 minutes. Welcome to the magic of Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce. It’s got sizzling, golden-crusted steak cubes bathed in garlicky butter and finished with a velvety parmesan cream sauce that clings to every bite like a cozy sweater. It’s indulgent but not fussy, rich but totally doable on a Wednesday night. Serve it with bread to mop up the sauce or over mashed potatoes to really live your best life.
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites:
1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
Salt + black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
For the Parmesan Cream Sauce:
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
1/2 cup grated parmesan (fresh is best)
Salt + pepper to taste
A little squeeze of lemon juice (trust me)
Instructions
Step 1: Sear the Steak Bites
Pat steak cubes dry (important for that crust!) and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak in a single layer (do this in batches if needed) for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove to a plate.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter Magic
In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Return the steak bites to the skillet and toss in the garlic butter until well coated. Remove from heat and set aside while you work on the sauce.
Step 3: Whip Up the Sauce
In a small saucepan (or clean skillet), melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened — about 3–5 minutes. Stir in parmesan, then season with salt, pepper, and a small squeeze of lemon juice to cut the richness.
Step 4: Sauce + Serve
Plate the steak bites and drizzle generously with the parmesan cream sauce (or serve it on the side for dipping — up to you). Garnish with more parmesan and a few fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Spoon it over mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or creamy polenta.
Serve with crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce.
Add a simple green salad and you’ve got a full-on fancy meal in under 30.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~530 kcal per serving
- Fat: ~34g
- Carbohydrates: ~8g
- Protein: ~38g