Barefoot Contessa’s Juicy Steak Bites with Garlic Butter Recipe

Steak bites transform ordinary meat into a mouthwatering culinary adventure that promises rich, bold flavors and irresistible texture.

These delectable morsels capture the essence of restaurant-quality cooking right in your home kitchen.

Sizzling hot and perfectly seasoned, the bite-sized pieces guarantee maximum enjoyment with minimal effort.

Each morsel delivers a concentrated burst of meaty goodness that melts in your mouth.

The magic happens quickly, with high heat creating a gorgeous caramelized exterior while maintaining a juicy interior.

Why Barefoot Contessa’s Steak Bites Are Addictive

• Sizzle with Speed: These steak bites cook in just 5-7 minutes, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or when hunger strikes fast.
• Burst with Flavor: The combination of high-heat searing, simple seasoning, and rich garlic butter creates an explosion of savory taste that makes every bite irresistible.
• Master Restaurant-Quality Technique: By using Ina Garten's method of high-heat cooking and butter coating, home cooks can easily achieve professional-level caramelization and a golden-brown exterior that locks in juicy tenderness.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: With just a few basic ingredients like steak, salt, pepper, butter, and garlic, this recipe transforms simple components into a gourmet-tasting dish that feels luxurious yet incredibly simple to prepare.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Garlic Butter Steak Bites

• Steak: Prime cut with good marbling for tender, flavorful bites, best when at room temperature before cooking.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings to enhance the natural beef flavor, freshly ground provides best taste.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Olive oil for high-heat searing, butter for rich flavor and creating a delicious garlic sauce.

• Garlic, Fresh Parsley: Garlic adds depth and warmth to the dish, parsley provides fresh, bright finishing touch.

Cooking Instructions for Steak Bites à la Barefoot Contessa

Step 1: Gather Your Cooking Essentials

• Sirloin or ribeye steak
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Butter
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh parsley
• Large skillet or cast-iron pan

Step 2: Prepare the Steak

Slice the steak into bite-sized pieces approximately 1-inch cubes. Pat the meat dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect golden sear.

Step 3: Heat the Cooking Surface

Place your skillet on high heat. Add olive oil and let it shimmer and become hot, creating the ideal searing environment.

Step 4: Season and Sear the Meat

Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the steak pieces. Carefully place the cubes in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Let the meat develop a gorgeous caramelized crust by cooking 3-4 minutes without constant stirring.

Step 5: Create Garlic Butter Magic

Lower the heat slightly. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Gently toss the steak to coat each piece in the fragrant, rich sauce. Cook for additional 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Chop fresh parsley and scatter over the steak. Transfer immediately to a serving plate while hot and steaming.

Pro Tips for Juicy Garlic Steak Bites

• Sizzle to Perfection: Heat your cast-iron skillet until it's smoking hot for that restaurant-quality caramelized crust on your steak bites.
• Single Layer Magic: Avoid overcrowding the pan by cooking steak in batches, allowing each piece to brown evenly and develop deep, rich flavors.
• Garlic Game Changer: Crush fresh garlic cloves for maximum flavor intensity, letting the butter and garlic create a mouthwatering sauce that coats every steak bite.
• Herb Your Enthusiasm: Experiment with fresh rosemary, thyme, or parsley to elevate the dish and add a burst of fresh, aromatic notes.
• Temperature Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, aiming for medium-rare at 135°F for the most tender and juicy steak bites.

Storage Advice for Leftover Steak Bites

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in moisture and prevent freezer burn by vacuum sealing steak bites in specialized bags. Extract all air to maintain optimal texture and flavor, keeping meat tender and delicious for extended periods.
• Individual Portioning: Divide leftover steak bites into single-serving freezer bags before storing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a labeled freezer bag to prevent flavor contamination and make future reheating quick and convenient.
• Temperature Control: Cool steak bites completely at room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. Transfer to airtight containers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth and preserve the garlic butter's rich, savory essence.

Flavor Variations to Try on Barefoot Contessa’s Steak Bites

• Spicy Southwest Steak Bites: Add chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for a bold, zesty flavor profile that brings heat and excitement to the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb-Infused Steak: Incorporate dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary into the seasoning blend, then finish with crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Asian Teriyaki Steak Bites: Replace garlic butter with a homemade teriyaki sauce using soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and sesame oil, creating a sweet and savory Asian-inspired dish that's packed with umami flavor.
• Blue Cheese Steak Bites: Crumble blue cheese over the hot steak bites right before serving, allowing the cheese to slightly melt and add a tangy, rich dimension to the meat's robust taste.

Seared to Perfection: Barefoot Contessa’s Steak Bites Wrap-Up

Garlic butter steak bites elevate simple ingredients into culinary magic, transforming dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to home kitchens with minimal effort.

Rich, succulent beef pieces glisten with herb-infused butter, creating an irresistible aroma that beckons diners to the table.

Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, these steak bites promise a gourmet meal without complex techniques or extensive preparation.

Last but not least, please share this recipe with friends, and spread the culinary joy on social media.

Barefoot Contessa Steak Bites With Garlic Butter Recipe

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4.9 from 20 reviews

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

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Description

Barefoot Contessa steak bites with garlic butter bring restaurant-quality flavor right to home kitchens. Sizzling sirloin morsels bathed in rich, herbed butter create an irresistible appetizer or quick main course that will delight you at first bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 ¼ pounds (567 grams) sirloin steak, cut into small cubes

Fats and Aromatics:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Seasonings:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley

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Instructions

1. Elevate a spacious skillet over high heat and drizzle with olive oil, ensuring an even coating across the cooking surface.
2. Meticulously season the steak cuts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage.
3. Carefully position the seasoned steak pieces into the sizzling pan, maintaining a single layer without overcrowding to promote optimal caramelization.
4. Allow the meat to develop a rich golden-brown exterior for approximately 3-4 minutes, gently stirring periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
5. If the skillet lacks sufficient space, cook the steak in multiple batches to maintain the desired temperature and achieve perfect searing.
6. Introduce unsalted butter and minced garlic into the pan, creating a luxurious aromatic sauce that will generously coat the meat.
7. Continuously stir the steak for 1-2 minutes, ensuring each piece becomes thoroughly enveloped in the fragrant garlic butter emulsion.
8. Finish the dish by delicately sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the glistening steak, adding a vibrant touch of color and herbaceous freshness.
9. Transfer immediately to serving plates and enjoy while the steak remains hot and succulent.

Notes

• Searing creates a delicious caramelized crust that locks in the steak’s natural juices and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Choose a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast iron for the most consistent and high-heat cooking performance.
• Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can elevate the dish with aromatic complexity and depth.
• Resting the meat after cooking allows juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and flavorful result.
• Room temperature steak cooks more evenly, so remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before preparing.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg