Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Zucchini – Easy Low Carb Dinner Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Zucchini recipe is a quick and flavorful low-carb dinner option perfect for busy weeknights. Tender steak cubes seared to perfection are tossed with sautéed zucchini and a fragrant garlic butter sauce. It’s simple, satisfying, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sirloin, New York strip, or ribeye beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 medium fresh zucchinis, sliced into half-moons or quarter-moons
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Coarse sea salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, for searing

Instructions

1. Step 1: Take the steak out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before cooking and pat it dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper (plus onion powder and smoked paprika, if using).
2. Step 2: Chop the zucchini into uniform, bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic.
3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil.
4. Step 4: Add half of the steak bites to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
5. Step 5: Repeat with the remaining steak bites, adding more oil if needed.
6. Step 6: With the pan still hot, add another tablespoon of oil and toss in the chopped zucchini. Sauté for about 4-6 minutes until tender-crisp and slightly browned.
7. Step 7: Push the zucchini to one side of the pan and add the butter and minced garlic to the empty space. Let the butter melt and the garlic become fragrant, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
8. Step 8: Return all the cooked steak bites to the pan with the zucchini and garlic butter. Toss everything together gently to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use ribeye for a more tender and flavorful bite, or sirloin for a leaner option.
• Try substituting zucchini with yellow squash or asparagus for a different veggie twist.
• Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter can give the dish a nice subtle heat.
• Letting the steak rest briefly after cooking helps keep it juicy.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to preserve tenderness and avoid overcooking the steak. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the steak tough.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen steak for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh steak for even cooking and the best texture. If using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry before seasoning and cooking to prevent steaming.

How do I know when the steak is cooked to my liking?

Cooking for 1-2 minutes per side will generally yield medium-rare to medium doneness, but this depends on the steak’s thickness. Use a meat thermometer if desired: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Zucchini – Easy Low Carb Dinner Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 142 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Carb

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Description

This Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Zucchini recipe offers a quick, easy, and low-carb dinner option featuring tender seared steak cubes cooked with sautéed zucchini in a fragrant garlic butter sauce. Perfectly seasoned and prepared on the stovetop, it’s a flavorful and satisfying meal ideal for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Steak Bites

• 1 lb sirloin, New York strip, or ribeye beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
• Coarse sea salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• Olive oil or avocado oil, 2 tablespoons (for searing)
• Onion powder (optional), 1/2 teaspoon
• Smoked paprika (optional), 1/2 teaspoon

Zucchini & Garlic Butter

• 2 medium fresh zucchinis, sliced into half-moons or quarter-moons
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Fresh chopped parsley or chives, 1 tablespoon (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Steak: Take the steak bites out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature. Pat the meat dry thoroughly using paper towels. Season generously with coarse sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and if desired, onion powder and smoked paprika for extra flavor.
2. Prep the Zucchini and Garlic: Chop the zucchini into uniform, bite-sized half-moon or quarter-moon shapes to ensure even cooking. Finely mince the garlic cloves and set aside.
3. Heat Skillet and Sear Steak – First Batch: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in 1 tablespoon of olive or avocado oil. Once hot, add half of the steak bites to the pan, ensuring they are spaced out to avoid overcrowding, which prevents proper searing. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until the pieces develop a deep brown crust and reach your desired doneness. Remove them to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
4. Sear Steak – Second Batch: Add more oil to the skillet if needed. Repeat the searing process with the remaining steak bites, cooking each side for 1-2 minutes until nicely browned and cooked to your liking. Remove to the plate with the first batch.
5. Sauté Zucchini: With the pan still hot, add another tablespoon of oil if necessary. Add the chopped zucchini and sauté for 4-6 minutes until they become tender-crisp and develop a slight golden brown color.
6. Add Garlic Butter: Push the zucchini to one side of the pan to create space. Add the unsalted butter and minced garlic to the empty section. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute as the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant without burning.
7. Combine Steak and Vegetables: Return all the cooked steak bites to the skillet, mixing gently with the zucchini and garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together carefully to coat the steak and vegetables evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the cooked dish for a fresh herbal finish. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your flavorful low-carb garlic butter steak bites and zucchini.

Notes

• Allowing steak to come to room temperature before cooking helps sear it nicely and cook evenly.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan; sear in batches for best crust development.
• Use a high smoke point oil like avocado or olive oil to prevent burning.
• Garlic burns quickly; keep stirring during garlic butter step to prevent bitterness.
• Optional spices like smoked paprika and onion powder add subtle depth but can be omitted.
• This recipe can be served with cauliflower rice or a side salad for a complete low-carb meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: steak bites, garlic butter steak, zucchini recipe, low carb dinner, easy steak recipe, quick stovetop meal