Juicy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Lemon Zucchini Noodles Recipe

Tender chunks of beef dance with rich garlic butter steak bites in this protein-packed meal that promises pure culinary delight.

Succulent steak melts into a buttery, aromatic embrace, creating layers of incredible flavor.

These juicy morsels pair perfectly with light, fresh zucchini noodles for a low-carb sensation.

The combination delivers a restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen.

Herbs and lemon add bright, zesty notes that cut through the richness of the meat.

Each bite promises a harmony of textures and tastes that will make your taste buds sing.

Prepare to transform your weeknight dinner into an extraordinary dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes Into Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Lemon Zucchini Noodles

• Steak Cubes: Tender, juicy beef cuts perfect for quick searing, choose well-marbled sirloin or ribeye for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Salt: Enhances meat's natural taste and helps create a delicious golden crust during cooking.
• Black Pepper: Adds sharp, warming spice that complements the rich beef flavor.
• Paprika: Provides a subtle smoky undertone and beautiful reddish color to the meat.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a zesty, spicy kick that elevates the overall taste profile.

• Olive Oil: High-heat cooking oil that helps create a perfect sear and adds a subtle fruity undertone.

• Zucchini: Light, fresh vegetable that creates low-carb noodles, select firm zucchinis without blemishes for best spiralizing results.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that infuses dishes with robust, pungent flavor and incredible depth.
• Lemon: Bright citrus that adds tangy freshness and helps cut through the richness of the steak.

Tools That Help You Sear and Spiralize With Ease

• Large skillet: Essential for searing steak and cooking zucchini noodles with great heat control.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for cutting steak into cubes and slicing zucchini into thin noodles.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for prepping ingredients safely and cleanly.
• Wooden spoon or tongs: Helps flip and move steak bites while cooking without scratching skillet.
• Grater or microplane: Useful for creating fresh lemon zest with ease.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and oil measurements.

How to Make Steak Bites With Light, Zesty Zoodles

• Heat Up the Skillet

Grab your favorite large skillet and drizzle olive oil across the bottom, warming it over a sizzling medium-high flame until it shimmers with potential.

• Sear the Steak Bites

Drop the meat cubes into the hot pan, showering them with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, paprika, and a dash of red pepper flakes. Let them dance and caramelize for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust that promises incredible flavor.

• Rest the Meat

Transfer those perfectly cooked steak bites to a waiting plate, allowing them to relax and retain their delicious juices while you prepare the next stage of your culinary adventure.

• Create Zucchini Noodles

Twist and twirl your zucchini into delicate, ribbon-like strands using a spiralizer or careful knife work, creating a light and fresh base for your protein-packed masterpiece.

• Sauté the Zucchini Noodles

Quickly toss the zucchini noodles in the same skillet, letting them soften slightly and absorb the rich, meaty remnants of flavor left behind by the steak.

• Combine and Garnish

Reunite the steak bites with the tender zucchini noodles, adding a burst of garlic and a bright squeeze of lemon to elevate the entire dish with a burst of vibrant taste.

Flavor Swaps and Additions to Change It Up

• Meat Selection Magic: Choose well-marbled cuts like ribeye or sirloin for maximum flavor and tenderness in your steak bites.
• Perfect Searing Technique: Pat steak cubes dry before cooking to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
• Low-Carb Champion: Replace zucchini noodles with cauliflower rice for an even lower-carb alternative that still delivers incredible taste.
• Quick Meal Prep: Cut steak and zucchini ahead of time and store separately to speed up weeknight dinner preparation.
• Vegetarian Twist: Swap steak with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms for a plant-based version that maintains the dish's rich, savory profile.

Serve Fresh With a Dash of Parmesan or Herbs

• Rustic Steak and Zucchini Bowl: Layer the zucchini noodles as a base, top with seared steak bites, and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a restaurant-style presentation that looks stunning and tastes incredible.
• Mediterranean Meal Companion: Serve alongside a crisp Greek salad with feta cheese and kalamata olives to complement the garlic butter steak's rich flavors and add extra nutritional balance.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Malbec that enhances the steak's robust taste and cuts through the buttery sauce with perfect harmony.
• Quick Protein Power Lunch: Pack leftovers in a meal prep container with extra zucchini noodles for a protein-packed midday meal that keeps you energized and satisfied throughout the afternoon.

Store Separately to Keep Steak and Noodles at Their Best

• Smart Refrigeration: Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep zucchini noodles separate to maintain their crisp texture and prevent soggy results.
• Freezing Strategy: Freeze plain cooked steak bites in sealed freezer bags for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and quickly reheat in a hot skillet to retain moisture and flavor.
• Meal Prep Magic: Chop zucchini and prep steak cubes ahead of time. Store separately in cold storage, allowing quick assembly during busy weeknights. Components stay fresh for 2-3 days when properly sealed.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm steak bites gently in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent toughening meat. Add a splash of olive oil to restore original juiciness and prevent drying out.

Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Bites With Lemon Zucchini Noodles Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter steak bites dance alongside zesty lemon zucchini noodles in this irresistible low-carb meal. Protein-packed and easy to prepare, the dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal kitchen effort you can savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 3 medium zucchini, spiralized
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Searing Preparation: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, coating the surface with olive oil for optimal cooking conditions.
2. Meat Seasoning and Cooking: Introduce seasoned steak cubes into the hot skillet, generously coating with salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, developing a caramelized golden-brown exterior that seals in rich flavors.
3. Steak Rest and Butter Infusion: Remove steak bites and set aside. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic, creating an aromatic base while stirring to prevent scorching.
4. Zucchini Noodle Preparation: Incorporate spiralized zucchini noodles into the garlic butter, tossing gently to ensure even coating and achieving a tender-crisp consistency.
5. Final Assembly and Flavor Enhancement: Combine seared steak bites with zucchini noodles, sprinkle fresh lemon zest and chopped parsley over the dish. Toss to distribute flavors evenly and serve immediately, presenting a vibrant, low-carb Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Notes

• Manage Heat Carefully: Cast-iron skillets retain intense heat, so monitor temperature closely to prevent burning steak or garlic and maintain perfect caramelization without scorching.
• Pat Meat Dry Before Searing: Remove excess moisture from steak cubes using paper towels to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Control Zucchini Moisture: Spiralized zucchini releases water quickly, so cook briefly to avoid soggy noodles and maintain a light, al dente texture that complements the steak’s richness.
• Season Strategically: Layer flavors by seasoning steak generously before cooking and adding fresh herbs at the end to enhance taste complexity without overwhelming the dish’s delicate balance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg