Description
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Zucchini is a delicious low-carb, one-pan meal featuring tender, golden-seared steak cubes and crisp zucchini rounds tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish makes a perfect quick and satisfying weeknight dinner with a delightful combination of rich buttery flavor and fresh herb garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak
- 1.5 lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Vegetables & Sauce
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and season steak: Pat the steak cubes completely dry using paper towels to remove all moisture. Season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides to enhance flavor.
- Heat oil and sear first batch: Heat 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until shimmering and just starting to haze. Add half of the steak cubes in a single layer without crowding, and sear for 60 to 90 seconds on each side until a deep golden-brown crust forms. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Sear second batch of steak: Add the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil to the same skillet. Repeat the searing process with the second half of the steak cubes. Remove and set aside with the first batch.
- Cook zucchini: Using the same skillet without cleaning, add the zucchini slices. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is tender-crisp with lightly golden edges.
- Make garlic butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and add minced garlic and butter to the skillet. Stir constantly for 30 to 60 seconds until garlic becomes fragrant and butter completely melts. Avoid burning the garlic.
- Combine steak with sauce: Return all seared steak bites to the skillet along with optional red pepper flakes. Toss everything thoroughly to coat the steak and zucchini in the garlic butter sauce. Cook for an additional 1 minute to heat the steak through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove skillet from heat, stir in fresh chopped parsley for a burst of freshness, and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Always sear the steak in two batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which causes steaming and prevents a good crust.
- Pat the steak completely dry before seasoning and ensure the oil is fully hot and shimmering before adding steak to achieve the perfect sear.
- A cast-iron skillet provides the best heat retention and crust for searing steak bites.
- Do not overcook the steak during the final combining step since it will continue to cook slightly after being removed from heat.
- Freezing this dish is not recommended because zucchini becomes mushy after thawing.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in a skillet.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: steak bites, garlic butter steak, zucchini recipe, low-carb dinner, one pan meal, quick steak recipe, sautéed steak, weeknight dinner
