Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Summer Corn & Tomato Salad
The Kind of Summer Dinner That Feels Special Without Much Effort
One of my favorite things about summer is that the ingredients do most of the work for you.
Fresh sweet corn starts showing up at roadside stands. Tomatoes finally taste like tomatoes again. Basil is growing faster than I can use it. And somehow dinner just feels easier this time of year.
This Garlic Butter Steak Bites recipe has become one of my favorite summer meals because it feels a little more special than your average weeknight dinner, but it comes together in less than 30 minutes.
The steak is seared in a hot skillet and finished with garlic butter, while the corn and tomato salad adds freshness, color, and just enough sweetness to balance the richness of the steak.
It's the kind of meal that works whether you're cooking for two, hosting friends on the patio, or feeding family on a summer weekend.
And perhaps most importantly, it's one of those dinners that everyone at the table is excited about.
YUMMMMM!
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Summer Corn & Tomato Salad
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
1½ pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces (mine was closer to 1 ¾ lbs.)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Garlic Butter
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Corn & Tomato Salad
3 ears fresh sweet corn, cooked (I like to sauté mine) and cut off the cob
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
¼ cup finely diced red onion
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss well. Set aside while you prepare the steak.
Pat the steak pieces dry with paper towels. Season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat.
Add steak bites in a single layer. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until browned but still tender.
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic and toss the steak until coated and fragrant, about 1 minute.
Serve the steak bites alongside the corn and tomato salad.
Tips for the Best Steak Bites
Pat the steak dry before seasoning. This helps create a better sear.
Don't overcrowd the skillet. A crowded pan steams the meat instead of browning it.
Let the skillet get hot before adding the steak.
Fresh sweet corn makes all the difference in this recipe during the summer months.
Why I Love This Recipe
Now that it's usually just the two of us at home, I still enjoy making dinners that feel a little special without requiring a lot of work.
This recipe checks all the boxes. It's high in protein, packed with fresh summer ingredients, and looks impressive enough to serve guests while still being simple enough for a Tuesday night.
The leftovers are fantastic the next day, too.
Approximate Macros Per Serving
Serves 4
Calories: 430
Protein: 38g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fat: 24g
Fiber: 2g
