If you’re craving a rich, tender, and downright delicious beef dish that feels special but comes together pretty quickly, then you’re going to want to try this Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe. I absolutely love how the garlic butter infuses every bite with a deep, savory flavor that’s just so comforting. Plus, cooking the steak in the Instant Pot means you get juicy, tender bites without having to babysit the stove.
This recipe is a total game-changer for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without sweating over complicated steps. You’ll find that it turns out perfectly every time, whether you’re cooking for your family or just treating yourself to something fancy and satisfying. Trust me, once you try this Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe, it’ll become your go-to for quick steak nights!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy and Tender Steak Bites: The Instant Pot locks in moisture for melt-in-your-mouth beef every time.
- Rich Garlic Butter Flavor: That buttery-garlic combination amps up the taste and feels indulgent without any fuss.
- Quick and Easy Prep: With just one pot and straightforward steps, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner hack.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Great for family meals, date nights, or when friends drop by unexpectedly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work in harmony to create that perfect steak bite experience. I always recommend fresh garlic and a good quality butter or ghee for that buttery richness. And for the beef, sirloin steaks cut into cubes give you just the right texture.
- Beef sirloin: Cut into 2-inch cubes, this cut is tender and flavorful, perfect for bite-sized pieces.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic adds that essential punch; it’s the heart of the flavor here.
- Ghee or butter: Melted to sear and coat the beef, giving that rich garlic butter finish.
- Onion: Diced or sliced, onions bring a nice sweetness and depth when cooked down.
- Beef broth: This is the cooking liquid that keeps everything moist and flavorful.
- Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, paprika: These seasonings build layers of flavor and help bring out the beef’s natural taste.
- Mushrooms (optional): I love adding sliced mushrooms for an earthy boost, but they’re totally optional.
Variations
While I usually stick to the classic version of this Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe, I love how versatile it is. Feel free to personalize it to suit your cravings or dietary needs — you might be surprised how easy the tweaks are!
- Add heat: I sometimes toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce right before serving to give it a little spicy kick.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap ghee or butter with olive oil or avocado oil if you want to avoid dairy — the flavor will be different but still delicious.
- Vegetarian option: For a meatless spin, try the same method with thick tofu cubes or seitan and skip the beef broth for vegetable broth.
- Herb boost: Fresh rosemary or thyme added during cooking really complements the beef beautifully — it smells amazing.
How to Make Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics
Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and let it get hot before adding the melted ghee or butter. Then toss in your beef cubes seasoned simply with salt and pepper. Cook them for a few minutes until the edges start to turn a nice golden brown — this browning step adds so much depth. Next, stir in the onions and mushrooms if you’re using them, cooking another 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms are soft. Finally, add the minced garlic and give everything a quick stir for about a minute until the aroma fills your kitchen.
Step 2: Add Seasonings and Broth Before Pressure Cooking
Turn off the sauté mode and sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring well to get all those flavors evenly coated on your steak bites. Pour in the beef broth — I use a full cup here because it helps the steaks become really tender under pressure. Don’t forget to scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any delicious browned bits. This prevents the dreaded “burn” notice on the Instant Pot and keeps all that flavor in the dish.
Step 3: Pressure Cook and Finish
Seal your Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for exactly 9 minutes. When the timer goes off, quick release the pressure right away to keep the beef juicy and avoid overcooking. Once done, give it a gentle stir and taste for seasoning — I usually add a pinch more salt if needed. And that’s it! Your garlic butter steak bites are ready to enjoy.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Brown the Beef in Batches: I found that overcrowding the pot makes the beef steam instead of sear, so brown the steaks in batches for a better crust.
- Scrape Well After Sautéing: Those browned bits stuck on the Instant Pot bottom are gold, but if you don’t scrape them up, you’ll get a burn error.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor punch compared to powders here — I learned this after trying both!
- Quick Release Pressure Promptly: Leaving the meat in the pot too long after cooking makes it tough; releasing pressure quickly keeps it tender.
How to Serve Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top to add a pop of color and freshness that balances the rich garlic butter. Sometimes I grate a little Parmesan cheese on top too, which just elevates everything to a whole other level. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving also cuts through the richness beautifully.
Side Dishes
My family goes crazy for serving these steak bites alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a simple buttered pasta. Roasted veggies, like asparagus or green beans, add a nice crisp element. Sometimes I like creamy risotto or garlic bread to soak up all that leftover sauce—it never goes to waste!
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual party, I like serving the steak bites on small skewers as appetizers. It’s a fun way to make the dish feel festive and shareable. Or, for a cozy dinner, plating the steak bites over a bed of creamy polenta with a sprinkle of fresh herbs makes it look like a restaurant meal at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay flavorful for up to 3 days. When reheating, I add a splash of beef broth or water to keep the steak bites moist and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave to avoid drying them out.
Freezing
I’ve frozen portions of this recipe before and had great results. Just let the bites cool, portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming the steak bites gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth, stirring occasionally until heated through. This method keeps the steak tender and the garlic butter sauce glossy and delicious.
FAQs
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Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin is ideal because it’s tender and flavorful, you can also use ribeye or tenderloin cubes if you prefer. Just make sure to cut the meat into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
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Is it necessary to brown the beef before pressure cooking?
Browning is highly recommended because it develops deeper flavor and adds texture to the steak bites. Skipping this step can result in a less savory, more steamed texture.
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Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can add all the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours. The results are delicious, though the texture will be slightly different from the Instant Pot version.
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How do I prevent the Instant Pot from burning during cooking?
Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot well after sautéing to lift any stuck bits. Also, adding enough broth and not overcrowding the pot when browning helps avoid burn errors.
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Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely! Mushrooms are a great addition and cook right along with the beef and onions. You can also add bell peppers or carrots if you like, just cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe a try soon — it’s one of those dishes that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your stomach very happy! I love how quick and forgiving it is, especially when life gets hectic but you still want something comforting. Once you nail this recipe, it’s perfect for so many occasions, and I can’t wait for you to see how much your family will enjoy it just like mine does.
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Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites are tender, flavorful beef sirloin cubes cooked quickly under pressure with a rich garlic butter sauce and savory spices. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality steak bites with minimal effort, using an Instant Pot for juicy, perfectly cooked meat, enhanced by sautéed onions, mushrooms, and a garlic-infused broth.
Ingredients
Steak Bites
- 2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2-inch cubes, seasoned with salt and pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup melted ghee or butter
- 1/2 cup onion, diced or sliced
- 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced (optional)
Seasoning and Broth
- 1 cup beef broth for Instant Pot (or 1/2 cup broth for slow cooker)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and wait until it is hot. Add the melted ghee or butter along with the beef sirloin cubes. Sauté the beef for a few minutes until the pieces start to brown, developing a nice sear.
- Sauté Vegetables: Stir in the diced onions and mushrooms if using. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the mushrooms become soft and the onions are translucent, adding more depth to the dish.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute to release its aroma and flavor without burning it.
- Add Seasonings and Broth: Turn off the sauté function. Add the pre-mixed steak seasoning (salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, paprika) and pour in 1 cup of beef broth. Stir the mixture well and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot, removing any browned bits to prevent burning during pressure cooking.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the valve. Set the cooker to high pressure and cook for 9 minutes for perfectly tender steak bites.
- Release Pressure: When cooking time finishes, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully open the lid once it’s safe to do so.
- Serve: Stir the steak bites gently and serve immediately, enjoying tender, juicy pieces infused with garlic butter and savory spices.
Notes
- Optionally add mushrooms for extra umami and texture.
- For softer vegetables, sauté onions and mushrooms a little longer before adding garlic.
- You can use butter instead of ghee if preferred for a creamier finish.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning according to your taste preference.
- Slow cooker instructions: combine all ingredients and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours for a slower, hands-off method.
