🥩 Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Cheesy Smashed Potatoes
Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30–35 minutes
Total time: About 50 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
- 1½ lb (680 g) sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tsp lemon juice, optional
For the Cheesy Smashed Potatoes
- 1½ lb (680 g) baby potatoes
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded cheddar
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley or chives
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the potatoes
Place the baby potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
Drain well and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
2. Smash the potatoes
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Arrange the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass or a potato masher, gently press each potato until it is flattened but still holds together.
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Make them crispy
Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping carefully halfway through if desired, until the edges are golden and crispy.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle each potato with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
Return to the oven for another 3–5 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
4. Prepare the steak
While the potatoes cook, pat the steak cubes very dry with paper towels. This helps them brown instead of steam.
Season with paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high to high heat. Add the olive oil.
When the pan is very hot, add the steak in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Sear for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, depending on your preferred doneness.
5. Add the garlic butter
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter and minced garlic.
Toss the steak bites continuously for about 1–2 minutes, allowing the butter and garlic to coat every piece.
Remove from the heat and add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
6. Finish and serve
Transfer the crispy cheesy potatoes to a serving plate and spoon the garlic-butter steak bites alongside them.
Finish with fresh parsley or chives and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if you like.
⭐ Tips for the Best Steak Bites
- Use a very hot skillet for a deep golden-brown crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan, or the steak will release moisture and steam.
- Pat the steak dry before seasoning.
- Add the garlic toward the end so it doesn’t burn.
- For juicy steak, avoid overcooking the cubes.
- For extra-crispy potatoes, flatten them fairly thin and don’t skip the initial high-temperature bake.
🍽️ Optional Additions
For even more flavor, try adding:
- Crushed red pepper flakes for heat
- Worcestershire sauce to the steak
- Fresh rosemary or thyme
- Crispy bacon over the potatoes
- Sautéed mushrooms alongside the steak
- A drizzle of ranch or garlic-herb sauce
