Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes

This dish combines the deep, buttery richness of seared steak bites with the golden, crispy textures of smashed potatoes, making it a perfect comfort meal. The garlic butter sauce adds an aromatic layer to the tender steak, while the cheddar-topped potatoes bring a creamy, cheesy finish. Whether you’re hosting a casual family dinner or looking for a quick weeknight meal, these Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes deliver flavor-packed bites that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Pair it with a simple salad or steamed veggies for a balanced and delicious meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 strip steaks
  • Montreal Steak Seasoning to taste
  • 24 oz baby potatoes
  • Olive oil as needed
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Garlic powder to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • Shredded cheddar cheese for garnish
  • 3 green onions, chopped for garnish

Directions:

  1. Begin by boiling the baby potatoes in a pot of water until tender enough to pierce with a fork. Preheat a griddle over medium heat.
  2. Transfer the boiled potatoes onto the griddle and press down with a spatula to flatten them. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until crispy on both sides, flipping occasionally.
  3. While the potatoes are cooking, cut the strip steaks into bite-sized cubes. Place them on the griddle, seasoning generously with Montreal Steak Seasoning. Sear until your desired doneness.
  4. Once the steak is cooked, lower the griddle heat and add butter and minced garlic to the steak. Toss the steak cubes to coat them evenly in the garlic butter mixture.
  5. For final assembly, sprinkle the crispy potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese, allowing the heat to melt the cheese. Garnish the steak and potatoes with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 13 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes: A Flavorful Weeknight Dinner

Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes is the kind of recipe that perfectly balances elegance and comfort. It’s hearty enough to satisfy your cravings for a classic steak-and-potato dinner while bringing in delightful layers of flavor with garlic-infused butter, crispy golden potatoes, and a cheesy finish. Whether you’re preparing a special dinner or a quick meal on a busy weeknight, this dish promises to deliver in terms of both taste and presentation.

Why This Recipe Works

There are several reasons why Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes has become a go-to meal for many home cooks. The first is its simplicity. While it may sound fancy, the dish doesn’t require elaborate ingredients or complex techniques. The beauty of this meal is how accessible it is, allowing even novice cooks to achieve restaurant-quality results at home.

The Steak
The steak bites are small, tender cubes of strip steak, chosen for their rich flavor and the way they absorb seasonings. By cutting the steak into smaller pieces, you get more surface area, allowing the meat to caramelize quickly and form a perfect crust. This method of cooking steak ensures that every bite is juicy, flavorful, and cooked evenly. Plus, it reduces cooking time significantly, making this dish ideal for weeknight meals when you’re short on time but still want something satisfying.

The Garlic Butter
Garlic butter adds a luxurious element to this dish. It’s a combination that never fails—garlic and butter, mingling together in a warm, aromatic bath that envelops the steak bites as they finish cooking. This step is what sets the dish apart from other steak recipes. The rich butter provides a velvety coating on the meat, while the garlic adds a punch of flavor, making every bite irresistible. The key here is to cook the garlic just enough to release its flavor but not so long that it burns. When stirred into melted butter, it becomes the ultimate finishing touch for the steak.

The Potatoes
Then, of course, there are the potatoes. Smashed potatoes have been a popular side dish for good reason: they are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and have that irresistible texture that makes you want to reach for more. The act of smashing the boiled potatoes before frying them creates more surface area, which leads to more crispiness. Adding cheddar cheese on top while they’re still hot introduces a creamy, melty layer that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy exterior of the potatoes. Green onions add a fresh pop of color and a subtle bite, tying all the flavors together.

Customization and Variations

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to suit various dietary preferences and taste profiles. You can easily swap out the strip steak for other cuts of beef, or even use chicken or pork for a different take on the dish. The potatoes, too, can be made with various types of cheese, from mild cheddar to sharp gouda, depending on what you prefer or have on hand.

Dietary Adjustments
For those following a low-carb diet, you can replace the smashed potatoes with a cauliflower mash, offering a lighter, but equally satisfying alternative. Vegans can adapt the recipe by substituting the steak with large mushrooms and using a plant-based butter and cheese. By doing this, the dish remains a comforting and filling meal, but one that caters to individual dietary needs.

Spice It Up
For those who like a bit of heat, adding a sprinkle of chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the steak seasoning can give the dish an extra kick. You could also add a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the garlic butter mixture for a tangy twist. Experimenting with different herbs and spices allows you to keep the recipe fresh and exciting every time you make it.

The Perfect Pairing

Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes is a versatile dish that can be served as a stand-alone meal, or paired with simple sides to round it out. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette works well to cut through the richness of the steak and butter, while steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or carrots complement the dish without overwhelming the palate.

A nice glass of red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, is the perfect beverage to enhance the savory flavors of the steak. The bold, tannic qualities of red wine contrast beautifully with the buttery richness of the garlic and steak, while the acidity helps cleanse your palate between bites.

A Balanced Comfort Meal

One of the key attractions of this recipe is its balance. It offers a rich, buttery steak for meat lovers, crispy, cheesy potatoes for carb lovers, and a touch of freshness with green onions. The garlic butter elevates the entire dish, transforming basic ingredients into something that feels special without being overly complex.

While the meal is indulgent, it’s still relatively balanced. The steak offers protein, while the potatoes provide a good source of carbohydrates, and the butter and cheese add fats that contribute to the dish’s creamy texture and flavor. Though it’s not exactly a low-calorie option, the meal can easily be incorporated into a well-rounded diet, especially if served alongside vegetables or a light salad.

Ideal for Family Dinners or Entertaining

This dish is also great for entertaining. It’s easy to prepare in large batches, making it an ideal choice for family dinners, gatherings, or even meal prep for the week. The steak bites and potatoes can be made ahead of time and simply reheated when you’re ready to serve. However, be aware that the potatoes may lose some of their crispiness when reheated, so you might want to re-crisp them in the oven or on a hot skillet before serving.

Storage and Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (though that’s unlikely with a dish this delicious!), they can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to three days. To reheat, the steak bites can be quickly warmed in a skillet or microwave, while the potatoes should be crisped up again in a hot pan or oven to restore their texture. For longer storage, the steak bites freeze well for up to a month, though the potatoes are best enjoyed fresh.

Conclusion:

Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Cheesy Smashed Potatoes is a recipe that brings together the best of both worlds—indulgence and simplicity. With its rich, garlicky steak and crispy, cheesy potatoes, it delivers the kind of comfort food that feels like a treat but is easy enough to prepare any night of the week.

The recipe is versatile, customizable, and adaptable to various diets, making it a go-to for many households. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or entertaining guests, this meal is guaranteed to impress without requiring hours in the kitchen. The bold flavors, crispy textures, and buttery finish make this a dish that will quickly become a favorite in your home, just as it has for countless others.

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