Description
Juicy steak bites seared to perfection and tossed in a spicy Cajun garlic butter sauce. This quick and easy skillet dinner is packed with bold flavors and comes together in just 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes (ribeye or New York strip also work)
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for added smokiness)
Instructions
- Pat steak cubes dry with paper towels.
- Season all sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 10 minutes if possible.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and let it heat until shimmering.
- Add half the steak cubes in a single layer. Sear undisturbed for about 90 seconds to form a golden-brown crust.
- Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes, until browned on all sides and cooked to desired doneness (medium-rare is 130–135°F). Transfer to a plate.
- Repeat with remaining oil and steak bites.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the pan. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant (do not brown). Add red pepper flakes or smoked paprika if using.
- Return all steak bites (and juices) to the skillet. Toss in the garlic butter for 1–2 minutes until coated and heated through.
- Turn off heat. Stir in lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot from the skillet with extra garlic butter spooned over the top.
Notes
For best results, use a hot skillet and cook steak in batches to avoid overcrowding. Let steak rest briefly after searing for juicier bites. Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to control spice level. Substitute plant-based butter for a dairy-free version. Double-check Cajun seasoning for gluten if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe (approx. 6 oz steak bites with sauce)
- Calories: 400
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: steak bites, cajun, garlic butter, skillet, spicy, easy dinner, beef, low carb, keto, quick meal