Butchers Secret Garlicky Steak Bites with Rich Pan Sauce

Butchers Secret Garlicky Steak Bites With Rich P

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:15 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) Beef Stew Meat (Chuck/Round), cut into uniform 1-inch cubes
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Avocado or Canola Oil
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Salt (Kosher/Sea), plus more for seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda (Bicarb)
• 4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, divided
• 6 cloves Fresh Garlic, finely minced
• 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary
• 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) Beef Stock (Low Sodium)

Instructions:

• Cube the Beef: Trim any large chunks of fat from the stew meat and cut the beef into uniform 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Uniformity is key for even cooking.
• Marinate: In a mixing bowl, combine the cubed beef with the Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and the crucial 1/2 tsp of baking soda. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
• Rest: Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
• Pat Dry: Remove the meat from the marinade mixture (discarding any excess liquid) and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Pat the meat cubes thoroughly until bone-dry. This is crucial for achieving a crust.
• Heat the Pan: Place the cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking lightly. Add 1 Tbsp of the butter and 1 Tbsp of high smoke point oil.
• Sear in Batches: Add the dried beef to the hot skillet, ensuring the pan is not overcrowded. Sear undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Flip and sear the other sides for 1–2 minutes, reaching an internal temperature of 130°F–135°F (54°C–57°C) for medium-rare/medium.
• Rest the Meat: Transfer the seared batches to a clean plate and loosely tent with foil. Repeat the searing process for the remaining beef, adding a tiny drizzle of oil only if the pan looks dry.
• Build the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 3 Tbsp of butter, the minced fresh garlic, and the herb sprigs (rosemary and thyme) to the skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits (fond). Sauté gently for 30–60 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
• Deglaze: Pour in the 1/4 cup of beef stock. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until the sauce slightly reduces and emulsifies with the butter.
• Finish: Remove the herb sprigs. Return the seared steak bites and any resting juices to the pan. Toss quickly to coat the meat evenly in the buttery pan sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:400 kcal

Protein:40 g

Fat:26 g

Carbs:3 g

Fiber:0 g

Sodium:400 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Stop Wasting Money: The Secret to Proper Steak Bites

Right, let's be honest. Who hasn't walked past the butchers, eyed up those expensive sirloins, and then sighed dramatically at the price tag? I know I have.

But what if I told you we can turn that cheap pack of Recipe Beef Stew Meat into incredible, truly Savory Stew Meat Steak Bites ?

This is one of the best kitchen tricks I’ve ever learned. For ages, I thought those cheaper stew meat bites were only good if you slow-cooked them for about five hours.

They always ended up chewy, like old boots, when I tried to rush them. I needed to figure out how to make tough meat tender quickly.

The Butcher’s Best Kept Secret

The secret is simple science, not hours of cooking. We’re using a genius little method to tenderize stew meat fast .

This recipe is all about unlocking the intense flavour of that budget cut. We're not braising today, folks. We are going for a scorching hot sear using a proper quick cast iron beef recipe technique.

We focus on expertly searing beef chuck steak bites to build a beautiful, dark crust. This recipe transforms the humble chuck into something that feels truly decadent.

It’s definitely a budget friendly steak dinner option.

Why This Recipe is Absolutely Cracking

This method means you can enjoy restaurant-quality beef any night of the week. This dish is surprisingly simple, too. You only need about 15 minutes of active work, plus a crucial short rest time to let the tenderising magic happen.

We get four absolutely massive servings out of this.

This is exactly how to make those cheap Ways To Use Stew Meat Beef feel gourmet. We elevate everything by adding the most glorious, velvety garlic butter steak bites recipe sauce at the end.

Oh my gosh, that rich beef chuck pan sauce is everything!

It uses all those tasty, caramelised bits left in the pan. It really takes this recipe to the next level.

Ready to make some kitchen magic happen and ditch those tough, grey chunks forever? Let’s crack on with what you’ll need.

What You Need: Transforming Budget Beef into a Gourmet Dinner

Right, let’s get down to the brass tacks: what you actually need to turn a humble package of stew meat into something that tastes like a proper steakhouse dinner.

This whole recipe is about using simple ingredients in the cleverest way possible. This specific recipe for Savory Stew Meat Steak Bites is a cracking choice for a budget friendly steak dinner .

We're taking that often tough Recipe Beef Stew Meat and giving it the VIP treatment.

The Essentials: Butchering the Budget Cut

This might look like a lot of steps, but the shopping list is tiny.

Main Ingredients Checklist

You need the meat, obviously. Grab 1.5 lbs (680 g) of beef stew meat—it’s usually chuck. You’ll want to cut this yourself into nice, uniform 1-inch (2.

5 cm) cubes. Even sizing is absolutely crucial for even cooking, trust me on this.

The Tenderizing Trick

This is the chef’s secret for how to make tough meat tender . Don't skip it! We use just 1/2 tsp (2.

5 g) of baking soda (bicarb). Oh my gosh, that tiny amount makes the biggest difference. It helps tenderize stew meat fast by messing with the meat proteins.

Seriously, it transforms those tough pieces into fantastic Stew Meat Bites .

For the initial seasoning, you need Worcestershire sauce ( 2 Tbsp / 30 ml ) for that deep, savoury kick, plus your usual salt, pepper, and maybe a dash of onion powder.

Flavour Boosters and Quick Pan Sauce Magic

This is where we build the killer flavour profile.

We are making a brilliant garlic butter steak bites recipe , so you need butter—a generous 4 Tbsp (56 g) , divided.

This gets tossed with loads of fresh, minced garlic ( 6 cloves is not too many, honestly!) and some fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.

If you are stuck and only have dried herbs, use them. Just remember to reduce the amount significantly. I made that mistake once and ended up with a mouthful of dried leaves.

Use just a quarter of the measurement if you swap to dried.

The last essential bit is beef stock ( 1/4 cup / 60 ml ) to create the amazing beef chuck pan sauce .

That stock deglazes the pan, scraping up all the crusty, burnt-on flavour after the sear. It’s liquid gold.

Tools for Searing Beef Chuck Steak Bites

For this kind of recipe, the right equipment really helps.

If you want the best possible crust and true searing beef chuck steak bites , you absolutely, positively need a heavy-bottomed cast iron skillet .

When you drop cold meat onto a hot pan, a thin pan loses all its heat immediately. Cast iron holds the heat, which is key for a successful sear.

Don’t even try to overcrowd it. Always sear in small batches for the perfect quick cast iron beef recipe .

Beyond that, you just need a sturdy cutting board, a sharp knife to cube the beef, and some long tongs for flipping those little bites in the smoking-hot pan. It’s easy peasy!

Butcher’s Magic: The Secret to Tenderizing Stew Meat Fast

Honestly, I used to hate cooking stew meat outside of a slow cooker. It always ended up grey and tough.

But I found the secret to turning those cheap bits into succulent, luxurious Savory Stew Meat Steak Bites . This is the ultimate budget friendly steak dinner .

Prepping for Perfect Bites

We need to get the prep right for this quick cast iron beef recipe . First, cube your Recipe Beef Stew Meat into 1-inch pieces.

Try to make them uniform. Uniformity means they all cook evenly, you know?

Now, here is the real game changer: 1/2 tsp of baking soda . Mix that tiny amount right into your marinade ingredients (Worcestershire, garlic powder, oil).

This is the secret for how to make tough meat tender . It changes the pH of the surface. Don’t skip this step if you want to tenderize stew meat fast .

Let your future Stew Meat Bites rest in that mix for at least 30 minutes .

When the clock is up, this is CRITICAL: Pat that meat dry. I mean, bone dry. Use loads of paper towels.

If the surface is damp, you won’t sear. You’ll just steam, and nobody wants steamed stew meat!

Achieving the Best Crust

Right, time for the searing. Grab your heavy cast iron skillet. It needs to be smoking hot. This pan holds the heat, which is essential for great searing beef chuck steak bites .

1. Put your cast iron pan over seriously high heat.
2. Add the oil and 1 Tbsp of butter. Wait until it shimmers.
3. Now, add your dried beef—but only a single layer! Seriously, do not overcrowd the pan.
4. Let them sear undisturbed for 2– 3 minutes . Peek underneath and look for a deep mahogany crust.
5. Flip them quickly. Sear the other side for just another 1– 2 minutes . We are aiming for an internal temperature of 130° F– 135° F (medium-rare/medium).
6. Take them out and let them rest on a plate. Repeat with any remaining batches.

Pro Tip Pan Sauce Perfection

Don't wipe out that pan! All those brown bits (the fond) are gold.

Once the meat is resting, lower the heat. Add the remaining butter, minced fresh garlic, and herb sprigs. We’re making that gorgeous garlic butter steak bites recipe sauce now.

Stir constantly for about 30–60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant.

Pour in the beef stock to deglaze. Scrape up every single bit of fond. That’s your amazing beef chuck pan sauce .

Bring it to a quick simmer, then return the steak bites and all their resting juices to the pan. Toss quickly to coat.

This transforms the meat and is the best of all the Ways To Use Stew Meat Beef . Serve immediately!

Recipe Notes: Making That Budget Beef Shine!

Oh my gosh, we actually did it. Who knew that boring old Recipe Beef Stew Meat could become such a weeknight sensation? Seriously, this recipe proves you don't need a massive sirloin to enjoy a brilliant, budget friendly steak dinner .

We transformed those tough chunks into unbelievably tender Stew Meat Bites . These Savory Stew Meat Steak Bites are pure magic.

They are perfect for when you want fancy flavor without the fancy price tag.

Getting Fancy: Serving Suggestions

How should you present these gorgeous garlic butter steak bites recipe gems? Honestly, the key is maximizing that incredible beef chuck pan sauce .

I often serve them family-style, straight from the pan. It just feels rustic and cozy, you know?

For plating, you absolutely need something absorbent. My go-to is serving these ways to use stew meat beef over a pile of creamy mashed potatoes.

They soak up all that rich sauce perfectly. If you are keeping it light, just throw a quick side salad alongside.

For a drink pairing, try a robust, peppery red wine. Or, if you’re embracing the casual pub vibe, a classic British bitter ale works wonders.

Leftovers? Keep Them Tender

Okay, let’s talk storage, though I rarely have any leftovers! If you manage to save some, store the bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating Tip: Never, ever blast these in the microwave! That is the fastest route to tough, rubbery meat. The best method is to reheat them gently.

Toss them back into a hot skillet—ideally the quick cast iron beef recipe pan you used before—with a tiny splash of beef stock or water.

This creates steam and helps prevent the meat from becoming dry.

Simple Swaps and Tenderizing Secrets

This recipe works with your lifestyle. It’s flexible!

We use baking soda as a brilliant secret weapon to tenderize stew meat fast . This helps us achieve amazing results quickly, teaching us how to make tough meat tender .

• Dairy-Free: If you need a dairy-free dish, just swap the butter in the pan sauce for good quality olive oil or plant-based butter. You still get that rich mouthfeel.
• Seasonal Swap: In the winter, try adding dried porcini mushrooms to the pan sauce for an earthy depth. They soak up the liquid and add great texture.

Quick Health Chat

Since we are using chuck (stew meat), it’s naturally very high in protein. That means these bites are super satisfying! Because we focus on searing beef chuck steak bites at extremely high heat, we lock in all that flavour.

This prevents us from needing excessive amounts of oil or fat. It's a proper meal that keeps you full for ages.

Honestly, it’s a win-win: budget-friendly, delicious, and filling. Go make this! You deserve a truly tasty dinner tonight.