If you crave a meal that marries steakhouse luxury with kitchen simplicity, Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet is for you. Tender steak cubes and juicy shrimp are tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, creating a dish that’s elegant yet unfussy. The whole recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas and delivering all the flavor of a restaurant-quality surf and turf in a single skillet. This skillet meal is a weeknight savior and a dinner party showstopper all in one.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients list is impressively short, yet each component plays a starring role in making Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet unforgettable. Using fresh, quality proteins and a few pantry staples, you’ll create big flavors, vibrant color, and lush texture with hardly any fuss.
- Sirloin steak: Offers tender, juicy bites and cooks quickly without drying out—choose well-marbled steak for maximum flavor.
- Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined for convenience, these cook in minutes and add a hint of sweetness and brininess.
- Unsalted butter: The rich, creamy backbone of your garlic sauce—use some for searing, the rest for finishing.
- Olive oil: Blends with butter to raise the smoke point and build a gorgeous sear on both steak and shrimp.
- Garlic: Five fresh cloves minced until almost paste, infusing your skillet with that signature savory aroma.
- Smoked paprika: Lends a subtle earthiness and chestnut hue to both meat and seafood.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Bring a gentle fiery kick—add more or less depending on your spice comfort level.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning both the proteins and intensifying every other flavor.
- Black pepper: Freshly cracked brings woody heat that complements both shrimp and beef.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens the whole dish at the end, adding herby freshness and gorgeous color.
- Lemon wedges: Squeeze over just before serving for a burst of acidity that cuts through all the richness.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet
Step 1: Prep and Season the Proteins
Start by patting your steak cubes as dry as possible with paper towels—this helps guarantee that irresistible brown crust. Sprinkle the steak evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, turning the cubes so each gets an even coating. Meanwhile, ensure the shrimp are peeled, deveined, and patted dry as well. A little prep now means the steak and shrimp will both cook quickly and soak up maximum flavor later.
Step 2: Sear the Steak Bites
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil along with 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add steak cubes in a single layer (work in batches if needed for a proper sear). Let them cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes per side so you get that glorious deep crust, then transfer the steak to a plate and keep it warm. If this step sounds fast and hot, you’re doing it right—steak bites should always be crisp on the outside, juicy inside.
Step 3: Sauté the Shrimp
Pour the last tablespoon of olive oil into the skillet if it’s dry. Add the shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper, and lay them flat. You’ll see them curl and turn pink in 1–2 minutes per side—watch closely, as overcooked shrimp can turn rubbery fast. Once done, scoop them out onto the plate with your steak bites, letting any juices drip back into the pan.
Step 4: Flavor Bomb—Garlic Butter Sauce
Turn the heat down to medium before adding the rest of your butter to the skillet. When melted, tip in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Sauté for about one minute, stirring constantly—just until the garlic is fragrant, never browned. If you’d like, add a splash of white wine here to deglaze and lift up any browned fond for extra depth.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Return both steak and shrimp (plus any plate juices) to the skillet. Toss carefully so everything gets smothered in garlic butter. Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and carry straight to the table with lemon wedges on the side. The aroma alone is bound to draw everyone to the kitchen!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet
Garnishes
Nothing elevates Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet like a flurry of freshly chopped parsley and bright lemon wedges. The parsley adds color and a spark of grassy freshness, while a squeeze of lemon over the hot skillet enlivens every bite. For a little sparkle, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top just before serving.
Side Dishes
If you want your feast to feel restaurant-worthy, serve this skillet over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or soak up the sauce with warm, crusty bread. Garlic butter sauce drips beautifully over pasta, too. For a lighter touch, a crisp green salad or roasted asparagus make lovely, balance-adding companions.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, try threading steak bites and shrimp onto skewers for a playful, tapas-style appetizer. Want to impress? Serve atop a bed of lemony risotto or in shallow bowls with grilled corn and cherry tomatoes for a summery, colorful twist. Even a simple family dinner feels special if you bring the sizzling skillet straight to the center of the table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers of Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet, let everything cool to room temperature first. Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen a bit as they rest, making lunch the next day a real treat.
Freezing
Both cooked steak bites and shrimp freeze surprisingly well. Lay them out on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag—this keeps everything separate and easy to reheat. Be aware that shrimp texture can soften slightly after freezing, but the dish is still delicious up to one month later.
Reheating
To keep everything tender, reheat Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet gently in a hot skillet with a splash of water or extra butter. Warm just until heated through; too long and your shrimp might turn rubbery. A minute or two under a broiler works well, too, especially for restoring that steakhouse-style crust.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of steak for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin is a great choice because it’s lean and tender, ribeye or strip steak also work beautifully in Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet. Just make sure to choose a cut with nice marbling for best results.
Is this dish very spicy?
Not unless you want it to be! The red pepper flakes are entirely optional, so you can leave them out if you’re sensitive to heat, or add extra for more of a kick.
Can I prepare anything ahead of time?
You bet! The steak and shrimp can be seasoned and prepped in advance, and you can even mince the garlic and chop parsley a few hours earlier. Cook everything just before serving for the freshest flavor and best texture.
What type Main Course
Look for large, peeled and deveined shrimp. Wild-caught if possible will give you the sweetest flavor and snappiest bite. Both fresh and frozen (thawed first) varieties are fine—just avoid precooked shrimp, which will overcook in the skillet.
How do I keep the steak bites tender?
The trick is to sear the steak over high heat and avoid overcooking—2 to 3 minutes per side is plenty. Letting the steak rest briefly before returning to the garlic butter keeps juices locked in and delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Final Thoughts
I can’t think of many dinners as crave-worthy or easy as Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight win or a dish to wow friends, this skillet never fails to deliver bold flavors and happy faces. Give it a try—you’ll want to keep this one in your regular dinner rotation!
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Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Shrimp Skillet, where tender sirloin steak and succulent shrimp are seared to perfection then coated in a garlic butter sauce. This surf and turf dish is a quick and easy way to enjoy a steakhouse-inspired meal at home.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 1 lb sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Steak: Season the steak cubes with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear in a skillet until browned. Set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: In the same skillet, cook the shrimp in olive oil and butter until pink and opaque. Set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Melt butter in the skillet, add garlic and red pepper flakes, then return steak and shrimp to the skillet. Toss to coat.
- Serve: Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- This dish goes well with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.
- For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with white wine before adding garlic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Skillet
- Cuisine: American, Steakhouse-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 320 mg
