Name: Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound sirloin steak, cut into cubes; 2 tablespoons garlic, minced; 4 tablespoons butter; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish); 1 pound baby potatoes; 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)

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If there’s one meal that’s guaranteed to make anyone’s weeknight extra special, it’s Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes. Bite-sized pieces of tender steak, swimming in rich garlic butter, are paired with fluffy potatoes that get the ultimate upgrade: smashing, seasoning, and a glorious blanket of melted cheddar cheese. This dish is hearty, crave-worthy, and stunning enough for guests, yet easy enough to whip up on a whim. Let’s dive into this savory, cheesy, absolutely unforgettable creation together!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each element adds its own unique pop of flavor, texture, or color to the final plate, coming together for a meal that’s simply more than the sum of its parts.

Sirloin steak: This cut is wonderfully tender when cooked quickly and delivers big beefy flavor in every bite-sized chunk.
Garlic, minced: Fresh garlic gives a robust, aromatic punch that blends right into the butter for maximum steak coating.
Butter: The foundation for that luscious, golden garlic sauce—make sure you use real butter for best results!
Salt and pepper: Don’t skimp here; a generous seasoning pulls out the best from both steak and potatoes.
Fresh parsley, chopped: A final sprinkle that adds freshness and a burst of green, elevating your steak bites visually and in flavor.
Baby potatoes: These cook up quickly and their sturdy skins hold up perfectly to smashing and baking.
Cheddar cheese, shredded: Melts like a dream over the hot potatoes, delivering creamy, gooey indulgence in every forkful.
Olive oil: Ensures your smashed potatoes crisp up at the edges and helps the cheese melt evenly.
Fresh chives, chopped: Adds a mildly oniony brightness to counterbalance the richness of the cheese and butter.

How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes

Step 1: Season the Steak

Start by cubing your sirloin steak into evenly-sized pieces—about one-inch cubes are perfect. Lay them out on a plate and pat dry with a paper towel, then season all sides generously with salt and pepper. This simple step is key: it guarantees flavorful steak bites and helps them sear beautifully in the next step.

Step 2: Brown the Steak Bites

Grab your largest skillet (cast iron is a winner here) and set it over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of butter, let it melt, then swirl the pan to coat thoroughly. Arrange the steak cubes in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if needed! Let each piece get a gorgeous brown sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Turn them with tongs as you go, ensuring every edge gets a pretty crust while the inside stays juicy.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Finish with Butter

Once your steak is browned just the way you like, sprinkle on the minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds so the garlic sizzles without burning, then add in the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Keep stirring, and you’ll see the butter transform into a shimmering garlic sauce that thoroughly coats your steak bites. The aroma alone is completely swoon-worthy!

Step 4: Garnish and Rest the Steak

Scoop the steak bites out of the skillet and onto a serving platter. Immediately shower them with chopped fresh parsley for brightness. This little rest period lets the juices redistribute, and it’s your chance to tackle the potatoes.

Step 5: Boil the Potatoes

Place your baby potatoes in a big pot and fill with water until the potatoes are just covered. Add a generous pinch of salt, then bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, testing with a fork for doneness—the potatoes should be tender all the way through but not falling apart.

Step 6: Smash and Prepare the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Drain the potatoes and arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass (or a potato masher), gently press each potato until it’s flattened but still cohesive. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle a little more salt and pepper for flavor insurance.

Step 7: Make Them Cheesy

Scatter the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the smashed potatoes. Let some fall into the crevices! This creates beautiful melted cheese edges and irresistibly gooey centers.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Pop the cheese-topped potatoes into your preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are crisp. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chives just before serving—this wakes up the whole plate!

How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes

Garnishes

The secret to truly eye-catching Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes is in the garnishes. Shower each portion with chopped parsley over the steak and chives over the potatoes right before serving. You can also add a quick grind of black pepper or even a pinch of flaky sea salt for irresistible texture.

Side Dishes

While this dish is a showstopper on its own, you can round out the meal with a crisp green salad, roasted asparagus, or sautéed mushrooms for an earthy, savory counterpoint. A spoonful of sour cream alongside the potatoes never hurt, either!

Creative Ways to Present

You can serve everything family-style on a big platter for a rustic, inviting look, or portion out individual plates with a neat stack of steak bites over a bed of cheesy smashed potatoes. For parties, try serving the potatoes as bite-sized nibbles with steak bites on toothpicks—mini Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes are an instant hit at gatherings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got extras? Store any leftover Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep steak separate from potatoes to avoid sogginess and to make reheating easier.

Freezing

While potatoes can get a bit mushy when frozen, you can freeze the steak bites! Spread cooled steak bites on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. For the potatoes, it’s best to enjoy them fresh, but if needed, freeze on a lined baking sheet, then bag up for short-term storage.

Reheating

To bring Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes back to life, warm steak bites gently in a skillet with a splash of butter, just until heated through. For potatoes, pop them in a 350°F oven until heated and cheese is melty again. A quick microwave blast works too, but oven results in crisper edges.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe with another cut of steak?

Absolutely! While sirloin is tender and flavorful, you can use ribeye, strip steak, or even tenderloin. Just cut them into even cubes for even cooking, and adjust sear time to account for thickness.

What’s the best way to smash the potatoes without them falling apart?

Use gentle, even pressure with a solid-bottomed glass or potato masher. If you find the potatoes are too crumbly, they may need to be cooked a little less next time to keep them together during smashing.

Can Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes be made in advance?

You can prep the potatoes and even par-boil them ahead of time, then smash, cheese, and bake when ready. The steak bites are at their best sizzling hot, but you can cube and season the steak a few hours ahead to save time.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh parsley or chives?

Dried herbs can substitute in a pinch, but use less since they’re more concentrated. Try dried parsley or even a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. For chives, thinly sliced green onions work beautifully!

How can I make this dish even more decadent?

Add a dollop of sour cream to your smashed potatoes, top steak bites with a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese, or drizzle with a balsamic glaze. The flavors in Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes are flexible, so get creative!

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about digging into Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes—the kind of cozy, joyful meal you’ll want to make again and again. Give it a try and let the aroma fill your kitchen; I promise, you’ll find yourself coming back for just one more bite!

Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 23 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Tender steak bites cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, paired with crispy and cheesy smashed potatoes, make for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Instructions

For the Steak Bites – Season the steak cubes with salt and pepper.

Cook the Steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is hot, add the steak cubes in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add remaining butter, coat the steak in garlic butter, and garnish with parsley.

For the Smashed Potatoes – Boil baby potatoes, smash gently, season with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-Frying, Baking
Cuisine: American