Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

If you love steak with a bold punch and crave weeknight ease, Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites bring unbeatable flavor in every juicy bite. Tender chunks of seared steak are tossed in a homemade Cajun spice, then drenched in irresistible garlic butter for a speedy dinner that feels like a splurge—but takes just 30 minutes start to finish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Irresistibly Flavorful: Every bite bursts with bold Cajun spices and buttery garlic magic—guaranteed to wake up your tastebuds!
  • Fast & Fuss-Free: From prep to plate in about 30 minutes, it’s the ultimate weeknight treat (and feels restaurant-worthy!).
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Serve as a party appetizer, easy family dinner, or over mashed potatoes for comfort food bliss.
  • Customizable Spice: Adjust the heat level to your liking—so everyone gets their perfect bite of Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites so memorable is how each ingredient plays its part. From smoky spices that dance on your tongue to rich, melty butter, every component here is simple, essential, and totally crave-worthy.

  • Strip steak, sirloin, or ribeye: Pick your favorite tender cut; these sear beautifully and stay juicy in bite-sized pieces.
  • Vegetable oil: High smoke point oil is key for quick searing and a golden crust on your steak.
  • Unsalted butter: Luscious richness that ties the whole dish together—garlic butter is the finishing touch!
  • Garlic (lots of it!): Finely minced or grated for maximum, fragrant flavor infused right into the butter.
  • Fresh parsley: A sprinkling of green adds a pop of freshness and color at the very end.
  • Homemade Cajun seasoning blend: Smoked paprika, kosher salt, garlic and onion powders, black pepper, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, and a hint of brown sugar for balanced, bold flavor.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites is how easy they are to adjust—think of this recipe as your flavor-packed canvas! Change up the spice or swap the protein to suit your tastes, cravings, or whatever’s in your fridge tonight.

  • Make it chicken or shrimp: Try the exact same Cajun treatment with boneless chicken breast, thigh, or even peeled shrimp for a different protein spin!
  • Dial up or down the heat: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper for extra fiery bites, or leave it out if you want to keep things mild.
  • Low-carb twist: Skip the brown sugar in the Cajun blend for a keto-friendly version that’s still big on flavor.
  • Herb swap: Finish with fresh chives or cilantro instead of parsley for a different herby note.

How to Make Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Step 1: Slice and Season the Steak

Begin by cutting your steak into generous, roughly 2-inch pieces. This size keeps every bite extra juicy after searing. In a bowl, mix up your homemade Cajun spice blend—smoked paprika, garlic, herbs, and just enough cayenne to make it lively. Toss your steak bites in the seasoning until every piece is beautifully coated.

Step 2: Preheat the Skillet

Set a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat and let it get super-hot, at least a couple of minutes until wisps of smoke rise from the dry pan. This step is crucial—it sets you up for that gorgeous, brown crust that steakhouse dreams are made of!

Step 3: Sear the Steak Bites

Add a splash of vegetable oil, swirl, and then add half your steak (don’t crowd the pan—work in batches). Let them sizzle undisturbed for 2 minutes, then flip and cook another 2 minutes. You’re going for deeply browned, caramelized outsides. Remove to a plate and repeat with the rest.

Step 4: Make the Cajun Garlic Butter

Turn the heat down to medium-low (but don’t wash that pan!) and melt the butter right into the savory browned bits. Stir in all that minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds—it should be fragrant, not browned—while scraping up all the tasty fond from the bottom.

Step 5: Bring it All Together

Return the seared steak bites to the skillet and stir so every piece is slicked in garlicky, Cajun-spiced butter. Turn off the heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot while the aromas are driving everyone wild!

Pro Tips for Making Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites

  • Get the Pan Smoking Hot: A properly preheated pan is your ticket to steakhouse sear—don’t rush it, let the skillet get truly hot before adding the steak bites.
  • Don’t Crowd the Steak: If you pile too many pieces in the pan, they’ll steam instead of sear. Give each piece room and work in two batches if needed.
  • Use Fresh Garlic: Skip the jarred stuff—finely mince or grate fresh cloves so the garlic butter sings and the flavor truly pops.
  • Customize Your Spice: Taste your Cajun blend before adding it to the steak, adjusting cayenne or salt as you like for personal heat and flavor control.

How to Serve Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

A generous shower of minced fresh parsley is my go-to for these steak bites—it brightens the rich butter and gives a gorgeous contrast. For a spicy kick and a pop of color, try scattered thinly sliced scallions or a dusting of extra smoked paprika. And if you love a decadent touch, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving will make every bite unforgettable.

Side Dishes

Honestly, Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites are a main dish superstar with so many sides. Pile them over creamy mashed potatoes (the garlic butter acts as a built-in gravy!), serve with steamed white rice, crispy roasted potatoes, or even tender pasta. Don’t forget a side of sautéed green beans, asparagus, or a fresh salad for color and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, thread the steak bites onto toothpicks and serve as finger food with extra garlic butter for drizzling. Or, load the steak bites onto toasted baguette slices for the ultimate steak crostini. If you’re after a cozy family feel, serve right from the skillet—let everyone help themselves to those buttery, spicy bites straight from the pan!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites cool completely, then transfer them (along with any extra garlic butter) to an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge, where it’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days—perfect for tossing into salads or reheating for an easy lunch.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover steak bites, but for the best texture, do so without the parsley garnish. Place cooled steak and butter mixture in a freezer-safe container, label, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently to preserve tenderness.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites in a skillet over medium-low heat, just until hot. You can add a teaspoon of water or extra butter if needed to refresh the sauce. Avoid microwaving too long, as it can make the steak tough.

FAQs

  1. Can I use store-bought Cajun seasoning instead of making my own?

    Absolutely! If you’re in a pinch, a good store-bought Cajun blend will work just fine. However, making your own lets you control the spice level and salt, and fresh spices produce the boldest flavor for these Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites.

  2. What steak cut is best for steak bites?

    Look for a tender, well-marbled steak such as strip steak, sirloin, or ribeye. These cuts cook quickly, stay juicy, and absorb all the Cajun and garlic butter flavors beautifully. Avoid especially lean or tough cuts, as they can turn chewy.

  3. Can I make Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites ahead of time?

    For the best texture and juiciness, I recommend cooking them just before serving. That said, you can cut and season the steak several hours ahead and store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to sear and finish the dish.

  4. How can I make these less spicy for kids or spice-sensitive guests?

    Simply reduce the amount of cayenne in the Cajun blend or leave it out entirely for a milder—but still super flavorful—batch. Serve hot sauce or extra cayenne at the table if spicy fans want more kick!

Final Thoughts

Whether you need a lightning-fast dinner or a party showstopper, Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites deliver big Southern comfort with every forkful. I hope you give this recipe a try—once you savor those juicy, garlicky morsels, they’re sure to earn a spot in your regular meal rotation!

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Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 141 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Searing, Sauteing
  • Cuisine: Cajun
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These Cajun Garlic Butter Steak Bites are bursting with flavor and make for a delicious meal. Tender steak bites are seasoned with a homemade Cajun blend, seared to perfection, and then tossed in a garlic butter sauce.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Cajun 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

Steak bites

  • 1 1/2 lbs. steak (strip steak, sirloin, ribeye, etc.)
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • minced fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare: Slice steak into roughly 2″ pieces and set aside in a mixing bowl.
  2. Season: In a small bowl, combine seasoning blend ingredients, then add to the mixing bowl with the steak bites and toss to combine well.
  3. Preheat skillet: Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over MED HIGH heat. Do this while the skillet is dry, and heat for several minutes, or until you see wisps of smoke.
  4. Sear (in batches): Add 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add about half the steak (adding less steak if the skillet isn’t very big – making sure not to overcrowd the skillet). Sear for 2 minutes without flipping, then flip over and sear another 2 minutes, until well browned. Set aside on a plate and repeat with remaining vegetable oil and steak bites.
  5. Make garlic butter: Reduce heat to MED LOW and use the same skillet (don’t wash it – you want all that flavor!), and add butter. Once melted, add garlic and cook about 30 seconds or so, using a wooden spoon to scrape browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Combine and serve: Turn off the heat, add steak bites back to the skillet and stir well to combine with the garlic butter. Serve hot, sprinkled with minced fresh parsley.

Notes

  • If you want smaller steak bites, you can cut the steak into about 1-inch pieces and cook for slightly less time.
  • Cajun seasoning blend can be tweaked to your tastes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 390
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 31g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg

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