There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of garlic butter steak tips hitting a hot skillet on a busy weeknight. I swear, this recipe has saved me more times than I can count when I need something delicious FAST. My family goes wild for these juicy, garlicky bites—they’re on our regular rotation because they’re so darn easy yet taste like restaurant quality. The best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Trust me, once you try this method, those little steak tips swimming in golden garlic butter will become your go-to “I need dinner in 15 minutes” lifesaver too.
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Butter Steak Tips
Let me count the ways this recipe will become your new weeknight hero:
- Lightning fast: From fridge to plate in 15 minutes flat – even my toddler can’t whine “I’m hungry!” that fast
- Flavor bomb: That golden garlic butter sauce? It’s basically liquid gold that makes every bite sing
- Foolproof: If you can work a spatula, you can make this – no fancy chef skills required
- Dinner chameleon: Fancy enough for date night, easy enough for exhausted Tuesday nights
- Leftover magic: Toss cold steak tips in salads or sandwiches tomorrow – if there are any left!
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Steak Tips
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this garlicky, buttery magic happen – I bet most are already in your kitchen!
- 1 lb steak tips (cut into bite-sized pieces – I use sirloin but any tender cut works)
- 3 tbsp butter (real butter only please – this is no time for substitutes!)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (fresh is best – don’t even think about that jarred stuff)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for that perfect sear)
- 1 tsp salt (I use kosher, but table salt works too)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (or rosemary if that’s your jam)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional but SO good for a little kick)
See? Nothing weird or complicated – just good, simple ingredients that work magic together.
Equipment You’ll Need
You don’t need fancy gadgets for these steak tips – just a few basics:
- Cast-iron skillet (my absolute favorite for that perfect sear)
- Tongs (so you can flip those beauties without losing precious juices)
- Cutting board & sharp knife (for prepping the steak)
- Measuring spoons (eyeballing garlic butter is a dangerous game, my friend)
That’s it! Now let’s get cooking.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Tips
Okay, let’s get these glorious steak tips cooking! I promise it’s easier than you think – just follow these simple steps and you’ll be swimming in garlic butter heaven in no time.
Step 1: Sear the Steak Tips
First, heat that olive oil in your trusty cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. You’ll know it’s ready when a drop of water dances across the surface. While it heats, pat your steak tips dry (this is KEY for a good sear) and season generously with salt and pepper.
Now, the fun part – carefully add those beauties to the hot pan in a single layer. Hear that sizzle? That’s the sound of flavor developing! Don’t touch them for 3-4 minutes – resist the urge to poke! We want that gorgeous golden crust. Flip them and do the same on the other side.
Step 2: Add Garlic Butter
Here comes the magic! Reduce the heat to medium and toss in your butter and minced garlic. Ohhh that smell! Stir everything together, making sure each steak tip gets coated in that golden garlic butter bath. The butter will foam up – that’s normal and delicious.
Keep stirring gently for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic softens and becomes fragrant. Watch closely – we want golden, not burnt garlic! That would be a tragedy.
Step 3: Finish with Herbs
Now sprinkle in your thyme (or rosemary) and those optional red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy. Give everything one last good stir and let it cook for another minute or two until the steak reaches your perfect doneness.
I like mine medium-rare – still slightly pink inside. Whatever you prefer, just remember the steak will keep cooking a bit after you remove it from the heat. And speaking of heat – turn it off! Your kitchen smells amazing and dinner is ready.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Steak Tips
After making this recipe more times than I can count, here are my foolproof secrets for steak tip perfection:
- Pat those tips dry! Moisture is the enemy of a good sear – use paper towels to blot them before cooking
- Cast iron is king – it holds heat evenly for that perfect golden crust we all crave
- Don’t crowd the pan – cook in batches if needed. Steamy steak = sad steak
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving – this keeps all those glorious juices inside
- Watch the garlic closely – it goes from golden to burnt in seconds (trust me, I’ve cried over ruined batches)
Follow these simple tricks and you’ll have restaurant-quality steak tips every single time!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the possibilities! These garlic butter steak tips play so well with others. My absolute favorite? Piled high on creamy mashed potatoes – that garlic butter becomes the most incredible gravy. But don’t stop there! Try them with:
- Crispy roasted potatoes (hello, texture contrast!)
- Buttery egg noodles (soaks up all that sauce)
- A simple green salad (for when you’re pretending to be healthy)
- Garlic bread (because more garlic is always better)
Honestly? I’ve been known to eat them straight from the pan with a fork. No judgment here!

Storage and Reheating
Leftovers? Ha! Just kidding – I know these garlic butter steak tips disappear fast in my house. But if you’re lucky enough to have some, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, go low and slow – microwave at 50% power or warm gently in a skillet to keep them tender. Pro tip: Add a splash of broth when reheating to revive that luscious garlic butter sauce!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist (just a garlic butter enthusiast), but here’s the scoop per serving – keep in mind these are estimates since we all cook a little differently:
- 280 calories – totally worth every single one
- 26g protein – steak tips pack a powerful protein punch
- 18g fat (8g saturated) – thank you, glorious butter
- 0g sugar – because life’s sweet enough already
Remember, these numbers can vary based on your exact ingredients and portion sizes. But who’s counting when it tastes this good?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! While steak tips are my favorite, you can use sirloin, ribeye, or even flank steak – just slice against the grain for tenderness. The key is using a cut that cooks quickly since we’re doing high heat.
What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?
No worries! Any heavy-bottomed pan will work – stainless steel is great too. Just avoid non-stick if possible; you won’t get that beautiful crust. And crank the heat to make up for the difference!
Can I make this ahead of time?
The steak tips taste best fresh, but you can prep the garlic and measure ingredients ahead. If you must reheat, do it gently to keep them tender – I promise it’s worth the 15 minutes to make fresh though!
Is the red pepper flakes heat noticeable?
Not really! 1/4 tsp just adds depth, not spice. My spice-averse kids don’t even notice. But feel free to leave it out if you’re sensitive – the garlic butter flavor still shines through beautifully.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my foolproof way to garlic butter steak tip heaven! I can’t wait for you to experience that first bite of juicy steak swimming in golden garlic butter. When you make it (because you totally should tonight), tag me or leave a comment – I love hearing your kitchen victories! Now go grab that skillet and let the sizzling begin. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Print15-Minute Garlic Butter Steak Tips That Taste Like Heaven
Tender steak tips cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season steak tips with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
- Reduce heat to medium, add butter and minced garlic. Stir well to coat the steak tips.
- Sprinkle thyme and red pepper flakes, then cook for another 2-3 minutes until garlic is fragrant and steak is cooked to your preference.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet for even cooking.
- Let steak tips rest for 5 minutes before serving for juicier results.
- Substitute thyme with rosemary for a different flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg