The evening this meal came together was shaped by timing more than planning. Work had run long, traffic crawled, and the house was already buzzing by the time I walked in.
Someone was asking what smelled good before anything had even hit the pan, another voice chimed in with requests, and the counter quickly filled with grocery bags waiting to be unpacked. Steak and potatoes felt like the right direction, hearty enough to satisfy everyone without turning dinner into a drawn-out project.
Earlier that week, a short conversation at the butcher counter stuck with me. Another shopper mentioned how cubing steak stretched it further and cooked faster, something that made sense for busy evenings. That thought resurfaced as I rinsed potatoes and lined up seasonings, realizing this could be a one-skillet dinner that still felt intentional and generous.
Once the skillet heated, the kitchen shifted gears. Potatoes crisped slowly, steak browned in quick bursts, and garlic butter waited on the side, ready to bring everything together. The sound of sizzling filled the room, drawing people closer one by one. By the time the butter melted and coated every bite, dinner felt settled, steady, and exactly right for the pace of the night.
Short Description
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes is a skillet dinner with tender steak, crispy potatoes, and a rich garlic herb butter that brings bold flavor to a simple, filling meal.
Key Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
- 1 ¼ pounds steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon browning sauce, optional
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Tools Needed
- Large skillet or cast iron pan
- Mixing bowls
- Small bowl for seasoning
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Pot for parboiling potatoes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Seasoning
In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Stir well and divide the seasoning evenly into two portions, one for the steak and one for the potatoes.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Herb Butter
In a separate bowl, stir softened butter with minced garlic and chopped parsley until smooth and evenly combined. Keep at room temperature so it melts easily later.
Step 3: Season and Marinate the Steak
Place steak cubes in a large bowl. Add Worcestershire sauce, browning sauce if using, and half of the seasoning blend. Toss until every piece is coated and glossy. Set aside while preparing the potatoes.
Step 4: Parboil and Season the Potatoes
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add cubed potatoes and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until just fork tender. Drain thoroughly. Transfer to a bowl, toss with remaining seasoning and 1 tablespoon olive oil until evenly coated.
Step 5: Sear the Steak Bites
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add steak cubes in a single layer. Sear for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally so all sides brown evenly. Remove steak to a plate and set aside.
Step 6: Crisp the Potatoes
Add the remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Add the parboiled potatoes and spread them out. Cook over medium high heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp on the outside with creamy centers.
Step 7: Bring Everything Together
Return the steak to the skillet with the potatoes. Add the garlic herb butter and gently stir until melted and evenly distributed. Finish with parsley and red pepper flakes if using. Remove from heat once everything is coated and fragrant.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It cooks entirely in one skillet.
Steak stays tender while potatoes turn crisp.
Seasoning is bold without being complicated.
Works well for busy evenings and family meals.
Leftovers reheat easily without losing texture.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overcrowding the skillet
Too many ingredients at once prevent proper browning.
Solution: Cook steak and potatoes in batches if needed.
Skipping the parboil step
Raw potatoes take too long to crisp in the skillet.
Solution: Always parboil briefly before pan cooking.
Using cold butter straight from the fridge
Cold butter melts unevenly.
Solution: Let butter soften at room temperature before mixing.
Cooking steak too long
Overcooked steak becomes tough.
Solution: Remove steak as soon as it browns and return it at the end.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve straight from the skillet for family-style dinners.
Pair with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
Add a side of crusty bread to soak up extra garlic butter.
Works well as a casual weekend dinner or weeknight meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil.
Avoid microwaving for long periods to keep steak tender.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cut of steak?
Yes, sirloin, NY strip, or ribeye all work well.
2. Can I skip the browning sauce?
Yes, it is optional and mainly adds color.
3. Should I peel the potatoes?
No, Yukon Gold skins add texture and flavor.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
It is best fresh but reheats well for leftovers.
5. Is this dish spicy?
Mild by default. Red pepper flakes add optional heat.
Tips & Tricks
Cut steak evenly for uniform cooking.
Let the skillet heat fully before adding meat.
Use fresh garlic for the most flavor in the butter.
Recipe Variations
Herb Steak Bites: Add rosemary and thyme to the garlic butter for an herb-forward finish.
Spicy Steak and Potatoes: Increase red pepper flakes to ½ teaspoon and add a pinch of cayenne to the seasoning mix.
Lemon Garlic Version: Finish the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes brings a sense of steadiness to evenings that move quickly. It fills the kitchen with familiar aromas and puts something substantial on the table without stretching the night longer than it needs to be. The balance between crisp potatoes and tender steak keeps everyone satisfied.
Meals like this help anchor the day. They do not rely on elaborate steps or special occasions, just good ingredients and a hot skillet. When dinner comes together smoothly and everyone eats well, that moment carries through the rest of the evening in the best way.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites And Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes cubed
- 1 ¼ pounds steak cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon browning sauce optional
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika, then divide the seasoning in half.
- Mix softened butter with garlic and parsley until smooth and set aside.
- Toss steak cubes with Worcestershire sauce, browning sauce if using, and half of the seasoning. Set aside.
- Parboil potatoes for 5 to 6 minutes until just tender, drain well, then toss with remaining seasoning and olive oil.
- Sear steak cubes in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned, then remove and set aside.
- Cook potatoes in the same skillet until golden and crisp.
- Return steak to the pan, add garlic herb butter, toss until melted and coated, then remove from heat and serve.
