This garlic steak bites and potatoes recipe saved me during those crazy weeknight dinners when everyone's hungry and I need something good on the table fast. After making this dish hundreds of times for my family and friends, I've figured out exactly how to get that perfect sear on the steak while keeping the potatoes crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. It's not about fancy tricks - it's about getting the timing right and knowing when to flip things in the pan.
Why You'll Love This Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
I've made this dish so many times now, and it never fails to impress people. What I love most is how simple it actually is - you just need one good pan and maybe 30 minutes from start to finish. Even when I'm rushing around trying to get dinner ready while oliver's asking for help with homework, this recipe comes together without any drama. The cleanup is easy too since everything happens in the same skillet.
The taste is what keeps everyone coming back for more. That buttery Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes flavor gets all over both the Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes, and it's just the right amount of rich without being too much. I've messed up the timing before - flipped things too early or let the potatoes go a bit longer than I should have - and it still turned out delicious. That's the kind of forgiving recipe I need on busy nights when my brain is already thinking about tomorrow's schedule.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Ingredients For Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
- How To Make Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes Step By Step
- Equipment
- Smart Swaps for Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Storing Your Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Tasty Twists on Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Top Tip
- My American Friend's Secret
- FAQ
- Time to Fire Up That Skillet!
- Related
- Pairing
- Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
Ingredients For Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
The Main Players:
- Sirloin steak
- Baby potatoes
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh thyme or rosemary
The Flavor Boosters:
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley for garnish
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes Step By Step
Potato Preparation:
- Cut potatoes in half
- Salt and let sit 10 minutes
- Pat dry with paper towels
- Set aside
Steak Prep:
- Cut into equal-sized pieces
- Season with salt and pepper
- Let come to room temperature
- Have garlic and butter ready
Start With Potatoes:
- Heat skillet over medium-high
- Add oil when hot
- Place potatoes cut-side down
- Don't move for 5 minutes
Sear The Steak:
- Remove potatoes temporarily
- Add steak in single layer
- Sear 2-3 minutes per side
- Don't overcrowd the pan
Final Assembly:
- Return potatoes to pan
- Add minced garlic
- Toss in butter
- Stir for 1 minute until fragrant
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs for flipping
- Paper towels
Smart Swaps for Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
Steak Options:
- Sirloin → Ribeye (more expensive but extra tender)
- Beef → Pork tenderloin (cook slightly less)
- Regular → Chicken thighs (different cooking time)
- Fresh → Leftover steak (just reheat at the end)
Potato Choices:
- Baby potatoes → Regular potatoes (cut smaller)
- Red → Yukon Gold (creamier texture)
- Fresh → Frozen (thaw and dry first)
Flavor Swaps:
- Fresh garlic → Garlic powder (use less)
- Butter → Olive oil (lighter taste)
- Fresh herbs → Dried herbs (use half the amount)
- Regular salt → Garlic salt (skip garlic powder)
For Dietary Needs:
- Regular butter → Dairy-free butter
- All ingredients → Use what you have on hand
Storing Your Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
Fridge Storage (3-4 days):
- Let everything cool completely first
- Store in airtight containers
- Keep steak and potatoes together
- Reheat gently to avoid tough meat
Reheating Tips:
- Use medium heat in a skillet
- Add a tiny bit of butter or oil
- Don't microwave if you can help it
- Stir gently so potatoes don't fall apart
Make-Ahead Strategy:
- Cut potatoes and steak the night before
- Store separately in the fridge
- Season just before cooking
- Everything else cooks fresh
Tasty Twists on Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
Mediterranean Style:
- Add cherry tomatoes
- Toss in fresh basil
- Sprinkle feta cheese
- Squeeze of lemon at the end
Cajun Heat:
- Season with cajun spice
- Add diced bell peppers
- Throw in some andouille sausage
- Finish with green onions
Herb Garden:
- Mix fresh rosemary and thyme
- Add a splash of white wine
- Toss in fresh parsley
- Extra garlic because why not
Cheesy Comfort:
- Melt in some cheddar
- Add crispy bacon bits
- Top with sour cream
- Perfect for cold nights
Top Tip
- I've made this Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes so many times now that I've figured out the best ways to handle leftovers. The most important thing is letting everything cool down completely before you put it in the fridge - I made the mistake once of putting it away while it was still hot and everything got soggy from the steam. Just store it all together in whatever containers you have, and it'll keep for about 3-4 days.
- When you want to eat the leftovers, don't use the microwave if you can avoid it. I always reheat mine in a pan with a little bit of butter, and it tastes almost as good as when I first made it. The microwave just makes the steak chewy and does weird things to the potatoes. If you're in a hurry though, at least use a lower power setting and stir it halfway through.
- You can prep some stuff ahead if you're planning for a busy night. I'll cut up the potatoes and steak the evening before and keep them in the fridge, but I don't season anything until right before I cook it. The salt pulls out moisture and makes everything soggy if you do it too early. Don't bother trying to freeze this though - the potatoes turn to mush and the Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes gets tough as leather.
My American Friend's Secret
My friend Jessica from Texas taught me something that totally changed this recipe for me. Her dad used to cook for huge family barbecues, and he had this weird habit of mixing a tiny bit of coffee grounds right into his steak seasoning. When Jessica first told me about it, I thought she'd lost her mind, but that little bit of coffee gives the meat this smoky taste that's really hard to describe. She also showed me how her dad made the crispiest potatoes by tossing them with just a pinch of cornstarch after cutting them up.
I know it sounds crazy, but the cornstarch thing actually works - it makes the outside of the potatoes get really crunchy while the inside stays soft and fluffy. The first time I tried both tricks, oliver couldn't stop talking about how much better dinner was than usual. Now I do it Jessica's way every time - a little bit of ground coffee mixed with the salt and pepper for the Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes, and some cornstarch dusted on the potatoes before they hit the pan. People always ask what I do differently, but I never tell them it's coffee and cornstarch.
FAQ
Should I cook potatoes or steak first?
Always start with the potatoes since they need more time to get crispy. I cook them first, take them out of the pan, then do the steak, and put the potatoes back in at the end. This way nothing gets overcooked and everything's ready at the same time.
What spices are good for steak bites?
I keep it simple - just salt, pepper, and some garlic powder. Sometimes I'll throw in a little paprika because oliver likes the color it gives everything. Fresh thyme is nice too if you have it, but don't go overboard with a bunch of different stuff.
How to make the best garlic butter potatoes?
Get them really crispy first before you add any garlic or butter. Cut them all the same size, put some salt on them early, and then leave them alone while they're browning - don't keep flipping them around. The garlic goes in at the very end so it doesn't burn and get bitter.
What sauce to have with steak and potatoes?
The garlic butter that gets made in the pan is honestly perfect by itself. If you really want something else, maybe some steak sauce on the side, but I think you'd just be covering up all the good flavors you already made.
Time to Fire Up That Skillet!
What I really love about this Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes is how it makes regular dinner feel special without any of the headache that usually comes with trying to cook something nice. The smell alone gets everyone excited about what's for dinner, and watching oliver's face when he takes that first bite never gets old. I've made this for neighbors who stopped by without warning, brought it to potluck dinners, and even cooked it when my mother-in-law came to visit - it works for pretty much any situation.
Want more easy dinner ideas that everyone will actually eat? Try our Healthy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole that feeds a bunch of people without being too heavy. If you want something you can cook outside, our Easy Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are great for when it's nice enough to use the grill. And when you need something without meat that even the picky eaters will like, our Easy Vegetable Lasagna Recipe works every time!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes
🍳 Equipment
- 1 Cast-Iron Skillet (Or any heavy-bottomed large pan)
- 1 Sharp knife (For cutting steak and potatoes)
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Tongs (For flipping steak and potatoes)
- 1 Paper Towels (For drying potatoes before cooking)
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Sirloin steak - Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 lb Baby potatoes - Halved, can sub Yukon Gold or red potatoes
- 4 cloves Garlic - Minced
- 3 tablespoon Butter - Or dairy-free alternative
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil - For searing
- Salt - To taste
- Black pepper - To taste
- 1 teaspoon Paprika - Optional flavor booster
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder - Optional, for added flavor
- ½ teaspoon Red pepper flakes - Optional, for heat
- 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley - Chopped, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme/rosemary - Optional, or use ½ teaspoon dried herbs
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch - Optional, for extra crispy potatoes
- ¼ teaspoon Ground coffee - Optional, adds smokiness to steak
Instructions
- Cut the baby potatoes in half, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for 10 minutes. Pat them dry with paper towels, then toss with a little cornstarch to help them crisp up.
- Cut the sirloin steak into even bite-sized pieces. Let it come to room temperature. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and optionally a pinch of ground coffee for extra flavor.
- Heat the skillet with olive oil. Place the potatoes cut-side down and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes until crispy and golden. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Add the steak pieces in a single layer to the hot skillet. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Don't overcrowd the pan - cook in batches if needed.
- Return the cooked potatoes to the skillet. Add minced garlic and butter. Stir everything together for about a minute until well coated and fragrant. Finish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
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