Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Lemon Zucchini Noodles Recipe

So much flavor and so easy to throw together! Sirloin steak bites are marinated with soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, hot sauce, and pepper, then pan-seared to perfection in a delicious garlic butter sauce and served with healthy, low carb zucchini noodles. Ready in 30 minutes or less, these garlic butter steak bites with zucchini noodles will make all of your family go crazy!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 lbs (450g) sirloin steak cut into small cubes
• 4 medium zucchini, spiralized (or a pack of store-bought Zucchini Noodles)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 cup (60ml) beef or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes, optional
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Marinade:

• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut amino for paleo and gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (we used Sriracha)
• Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Garlic butter steak bites couldn’t be any easier. The key is to use a really hot skillet so that you get a nice golden crust on your steak bites. The steak bites really only require about 5 to 7 minutes if the skillet is hot enough. Do not stir the steak bites for the first 1 or 2 minutes, allow them to get a nice sear from the skillet. A cast-iron skillet is the best choice for these steak bites as that type of pan can get really hot with an even distribution of heat!

Instructions:

1. To prepare the garlic butter steak bites recipe: In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the steak marinade (soy sauce, olive oil, hot sauce, pepper, and lemon juice) and add the steak bites. Mix well and marinate for 15 to 20 minutes minimum, while preparing the other ingredients.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Drain steak bites from the marinade. Keep the remaining marinade for later.
3. Place the steak bites in the skillet in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the skillet or meat will steam, so you may have to work in batches depending on the size of your skillet. Cook steak bites for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until steak bites are golden brown. Repeat with remaining steak bites if needed.
4. Once all the steak bites are golden brown, add 2 tablespoons of butter and garlic to the skillet; cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to coat the meat in the sauce. Remove the steak bites to a shallow plate and set them aside.
5. In the same skillet, add butter, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, beef broth, and remaining marinade juices. Bring to a simmer and allow to reduce for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly.
6. Add the spiraled zucchini noodles and toss for two to three minutes to cook it up. Stir in the fresh parsley and thyme, then allow the cooking juices to reduce for one minute if the zucchini noodles render too much water. Push the zucchini noodles on the side, add the steak bites back to the pan and reheat for another minute. Serve immediately and enjoy!

TIPS FOR THE STEAK BITES RECIPE:

• You can also use tenderloin, rib eye, flank, or strip steak if you like.
• Zucchini Noodles tend to render a lot of water when cooking, so you can sprinkle them with salt after spiralizing and allow them to sit for a couple of minutes to take off excess water. Rinse well to get rid of salt and drain thoroughly in a colander before cooking.
• Instead of broth, you can enrich the dish with dry white wine.

Recipe by Christina Cherrier / Eat Well 101