Description
This Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Zucchini recipe is a quick, easy low-carb dinner featuring tender seared steak cubes sautéed with fresh zucchini in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal packed with protein and veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak Bites
- 1.5 lbs sirloin, New York strip, or ribeye beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Coarse sea salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil (for searing)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil (additional, for searing)
Zucchini & Garlic Butter
- 2 medium fresh zucchinis, sliced into half-moons or quarter-moons
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- Onion powder (optional), 1/2 tsp
- Smoked paprika (optional), 1/2 tsp
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Steak: Remove steak from the fridge 15-20 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. Pat dry with paper towels, then season generously with coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper on all sides.
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the zucchini into uniform bite-sized half-moon or quarter-moon shapes. Finely mince the garlic cloves.
- Heat Pan: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil. Allow it to heat until shimmering.
- Sear Steak (Batch 1): Add half of the steak cubes to the skillet without overcrowding. Sear each side for 1-2 minutes until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Use tongs to turn them carefully. Transfer cooked steak bites to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Sear Steak (Batch 2): Add the remaining tablespoon of oil if needed, then sear the rest of the steak bites in the same manner. Transfer to the plate with the first batch and keep warm.
- Sauté Zucchini: With the pan still hot, add the chopped zucchini. Sauté for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender-crisp and slightly browned.
- Add Garlic Butter: Push the zucchini to one side of the pan. Add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the empty space. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the butter melts and garlic becomes fragrant. Optionally sprinkle onion powder and smoked paprika for extra flavor.
- Combine & Coat: Return all cooked steak bites to the pan with zucchini and garlic butter. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the buttery garlic sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the top, and serve immediately for a warm, flavorful low-carb dinner.
Notes
- Allowing steak to come to room temperature before cooking ensures even cooking and better searing.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing steak bites to get a good crust; cook in batches if needed.
- Use avocado oil or olive oil as both have a high smoke point suitable for searing.
- Optional spices like smoked paprika and onion powder add depth but can be omitted to keep it simple.
- Adjust the garlic amount to your taste preference.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or cauliflower rice for a complete low-carb meal.
