15-Minute Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Zucchini

It’s 6:30 PM on a Friday in London, and the last thing you want is a complicated meal after a long week. Before you reach for a takeaway menu, let me introduce your new weeknight saviour: 15-Minute Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Zucchini.

This one-pan wonder delivers a pub-quality meal that’s perfectly seared, incredibly tender, and swimming in a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s a complete, satisfying dinner that’s faster, healthier, and infinitely more delicious than waiting for delivery. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Quick Steak Recipe

• Unbelievably Fast: From fridge to table in just 15 minutes flat. Perfect for busy weeknights.
• Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common ingredients to create this show-stopping flavour.
• One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in a single skillet, meaning minimal washing up. A true Friday night win!
• Low-Carb & High-Protein: It’s a naturally gluten-free, keto-friendly meal that will leave you feeling satisfied, not sluggish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Steak: 500g (about 1 lb) sirloin, New York strip, or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes.
• Zucchini: 2 medium zucchini, trimmed and chopped into bite-sized half-moons.
• Fat: 1 tbsp olive oil and 4 tbsp unsalted butter.
• Aromatics: 4-5 cloves garlic, finely minced.
• Seasoning: Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste.
• Garnish: 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped. A pinch of red pepper flakes is optional for a little heat.

How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites (Step-by-Step)

1. Prep the Ingredients: Pat the steak cubes completely dry with a paper towel and season generously with salt and pepper. Have your chopped zucchini and minced garlic ready to go – this recipe moves fast!
2. Sear the Steak: Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-based frying pan over high heat until it’s shimmering. Carefully add the steak cubes in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (work in batches if needed). Sear for 1-2 minutes per side, until a beautiful brown crust forms. Remove the steak from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
3. Cook the Zucchini: Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the chopped zucchini to the same pan, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp.
4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt. Once melted, add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, stirring for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Combine and Serve: Return the seared steak bites (and any juices from the plate) to the skillet. Add the chopped fresh parsley and toss everything together to coat in the glorious garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately.

Tips for Perfect Steak Bites Every Time

• Use a HOT Pan: A screaming hot pan is the key to getting a perfect, deep brown sear on the steak without overcooking the inside.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give the steak cubes space to sear, not steam. Cook in two batches if your pan isn’t large enough.
• Pat the Steak Dry: Moisture is the enemy of a good crust. A dry surface ensures the steak sears perfectly.
• Use Fresh Garlic & Parsley: This makes all the difference in flavour. Avoid the pre-minced jarred garlic if you can.

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Steak

While this is a fantastic meal on its own, you can easily round it out with:

• Crusty bread to mop up the garlic butter sauce.
• Fluffy mashed potatoes or rice.
• A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette.

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Recipe Card

15-Minute Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Zucchini

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 2-3 people

Ingredients:

• 500g sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 medium zucchini, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Pat steak cubes dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear steak for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add zucchini to the pan, season, and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
4. Reduce heat to low. Add butter and garlic, cooking for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
5. Return steak to the pan, add fresh parsley, and toss to coat everything in the sauce. Serve immediately.