I absolutely love how this Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe turns out — it’s the kind of meal that feels fancy but comes together so quickly, making it perfect for both weeknights and weekend dinners. The tender, juicy steak bites drenched in garlic butter paired with those golden, crispy smashed potatoes? It’s pure comfort food magic in every bite. Whenever I make this, my family goes crazy for it, and I bet you’ll find it just as satisfying and easy to pull off.
What’s great about this Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe is how the flavors balance perfectly without a lot of fuss. The Montreal steak seasoning adds a punch to the meat, while the buttery garlic sauce brings everything together in a luscious finish. And the smashed potatoes? Crispy edges with a soft center are the secret to wowing everyone at your table. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s both impressive and totally doable, this one’s a keeper you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings without sacrificing flavor.
- Delicious Flavor Combo: Garlic butter steak bites paired with crispy potatoes make a mouthwatering duo.
- Family Approved: This recipe consistently delights my family, making it a reliable dinner win.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and easy-to-find items that come together beautifully.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because the ingredients all complement each other to create a crispy, tender, flavorful meal. I like to keep the seasonings straightforward to really let the steak and potatoes stand out. When shopping, aim for fresh baby potatoes and good-quality strip steaks for the best results.
- Strip Steaks: Choose fresh steaks with good marbling for juicy bites.
- Montreal Steak Seasoning: Adds a bold, smoky spice blend that’s perfect for steak.
- Baby Potatoes: Small potatoes work best for smashing and crisping up evenly.
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality oil for frying and smashing the potatoes crisp.
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasonings to flavor the potatoes just right.
- Butter: Real butter brings richness and helps carry the garlic flavor on the steak.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh or jarred works well to infuse that classic garlic buttery taste.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts nicely on the hot potatoes for extra indulgence.
- Chopped Green Onions: Adds freshness and a mild onion crunch as a garnish.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe. You can easily customize it to suit your preferences or dietary needs, making it a versatile dish that’s never boring.
- Steak Choices: I’ve used ribeye or sirloin instead of strip steaks with great success—just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika in the seasoning mix if you want a little heat.
- Dairy-Free: Swap butter for olive oil or vegan butter to make this dairy-free without losing flavor.
- Cheese Options: Try Parmesan, mozzarella, or a spicy pepper jack instead of cheddar for a fun twist.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Boil and Prep Your Potatoes
Start by boiling your baby potatoes just until a fork easily pierces them—about 15 minutes. I’ve found that slightly undercooking is better than overcooking here because you want them firm enough to smash without falling apart. Drain and pat dry to get the surface ready for crisping.
Step 2: Smash and Crisp Those Potatoes
Heat your griddle or large skillet over medium heat and add some olive oil. Place the boiled potatoes and gently smash them flat with a spatula or the bottom of a heavy glass. Drizzle a little more oil on top and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Keep flipping every few minutes until both sides are golden and crispy—this usually takes about 10 minutes. You’ll want that perfect crunchy contrast to the tender centers.
Step 3: Cook and Season Your Steak Bites
While the potatoes crisp, cube your strip steaks into bite-sized pieces and season generously with your Montreal steak seasoning. Toss them on the other side of the griddle or pan. Cook the steak bites for 3-4 minutes per side depending on your preferred doneness. You’ll find that high heat gives you a nice sear without overcooking inside.
Step 4: Add That Garlic Butter Finish
Once the steak is cooked, turn off the heat and immediately stir in the butter and minced garlic on the steak side. The residual heat melts the butter and softens the garlic nicely, coating the steak bites with luscious flavor. This step is what transforms the dish from good to truly crave-worthy.
Step 5: Cheese and Garnish the Potatoes
Top your crispy smashed potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions while they’re still hot. The cheese melts into gooey pockets of yum, and the green onions add that fresh pop. Serve everything up immediately and enjoy that irresistible combination.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe
- Use a Hot Pan: A hot griddle or heavy skillet helps get that perfect sear on both steak and potatoes.
- Don’t Overboil Potatoes: Slightly firm potatoes smash better and stay intact while crisping.
- Rest Steak Briefly: Let steak bites rest a minute after cooking before adding butter for a richer flavor.
- Add Garlic Last Minute: Stir in garlic and butter off heat to avoid bitter burnt garlic flavor.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish this dish off with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions for a burst of color and mild oniony brightness. Sometimes, if I have fresh parsley on hand, I chop some up and add that too—its fresh, herbal notes elevate the dish beautifully. A small drizzle of extra melted butter over everything right before serving can’t hurt either!
Side Dishes
Since this recipe is pretty hearty on its own, I usually keep sides light and fresh—my go-to is a simple green salad with vinaigrette or steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon. Roasted or sautéed veggies like asparagus or broccoli also pair nicely without overwhelming the main flavors. You really don’t need much more with this flavorful combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like to serve the steak bites and smashed potatoes family-style on a big platter, sprinkling extra cheddar and green onions on top right at the table. It gets everyone excited to dig in. Another fun way is to plate the steak bites atop a bed of the crisp potatoes and garnish with microgreens or edible flowers to add a little wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to store steak bites and smashed potatoes separately in airtight containers in the fridge to keep textures better. The steak holds up well, and the potatoes stay delicious if you avoid sogginess by reheating them crisp.
Freezing
While I haven’t tried freezing the crispy smashed potatoes (they tend to lose crispness), the steak bites freeze beautifully. Just pop them in a sealed container or freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. When thawed, the flavor is still fantastic.
Reheating
Reheat the steak bites gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of butter to bring back juiciness. For the potatoes, I recommend reheating on a baking sheet in a hot oven or toaster oven to restore crispiness—microwaving tends to make them mushy. Trust me, it’s worth the extra few minutes!
FAQs
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Can I use other cuts of steak for this recipe?
Absolutely! While strip steaks are great for this recipe, ribeye, sirloin, or even filet mignon can work too. Just adjust the cooking time to avoid overcooking thinner or leaner cuts.
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What’s the best way to get crispy smashed potatoes?
Boil the potatoes just until tender but still firm, then smash gently and cook in plenty of hot oil. Flip often and season well. Using a cast-iron skillet or griddle helps achieve that golden crust.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap out the butter for olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
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How do I know when the steak bites are done?
Cook steak bites over medium-high heat until they’re browned on the outside, about 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Adjust time based on preference and steak size. Using a meat thermometer (130°F for medium-rare) helps if you want extra precision.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight dinner rotation because it’s so flavorful yet simple to make. It’s the kind of dish that feels homemade but impresses like a restaurant meal, and I know when I serve this, everyone leaves the table happy and full. If you’ve been looking for a satisfying, easy-to-execute recipe to add to your lineup, give this one a try — I promise, you’ll be making it again before you know it!
Print
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe features tender garlic butter steak bites paired perfectly with crispy smashed baby potatoes topped with melted cheddar and fresh green onions. It’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners that combines savory steak seasoning with fragrant garlic butter and crispy, cheesy potatoes.
Ingredients
Steak
- 2 Strip Steaks
- Montreal Steak Seasoning, to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
Smashed Potatoes
- 24 oz baby potatoes
- Olive oil, as needed
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese, as desired
- 3 chopped green onions
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the baby potatoes and boil until they are fork tender but not falling apart. This usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on potato size.
- Prepare the Griddle: Heat your griddle over medium heat. Once hot, add some olive oil to coat the cooking surface.
- Smashed Potatoes: Place the boiled potatoes on one side of the griddle. Use a spatula to gently smash each potato to flatten it. Drizzle a little more olive oil over the smashed potatoes and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook them, flipping occasionally, until the surface is golden and crispy on all sides.
- Cook Steak Bites: While the potatoes cook, cut the strip steaks into bite-sized cubes. Add the steak cubes to the other side of the griddle. Season with Montreal steak seasoning to taste. Cook the steak bites until your preferred doneness is reached, usually about 3-5 minutes per side depending on size and heat.
- Garlic Butter Finish: When the steak bites are cooked, turn off the griddle heat. Immediately add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the steak side of the griddle. Stir well to coat the steak bites in the fragrant garlic butter sauce.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the crispy smashed potatoes and steak bites from the griddle. Top the potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese while they’re hot so the cheese melts. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful steak bites with cheesy smashed crispy potatoes.
Notes
- Two decent sized strip steaks serve four people, but increase steak quantity for larger groups.
- Make sure not to overboil the potatoes; they should be tender but firm enough to smash without falling apart.
- Adjust seasoning amounts to your taste preference.
- You can substitute cheddar with other cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for variety.
- For extra crispiness, let the potatoes sit undisturbed a bit longer on the griddle before flipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
