If you’re craving something savory, juicy, and dripping with flavor, Brazilian Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Rice is the kind of dish that delivers on all fronts. These tender chunks of marinated steak are seared to perfection and then coated in a rich garlic butter sauce that tastes like it came off the grill at a Brazilian BBQ joint. Served over fluffy rice, this is one of those easy Friday night dinner ideas that feels indulgent without requiring hours in the kitchen. Whether you're looking for new steak dinner ideas or just want a bold new addition to your rotation of easy steak dishes, this one is a winner.
Brazilian Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Rice
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Brazilian
Cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed sauté pan Essential for getting that nice sear on your steak bites. If you don’t have one, a stainless steel pan works as an alternative, but avoid non-stick for this dish as it doesn’t develop the same crust.
Mixing bowl To marinate the steak.
Chef’s knife and cutting board For cutting the steak and garlic.
Small saucepan For cooking the rice.
Tongs or a spatula To flip the steak bites quickly while searing.
Microplane or zester For the lemon zest (optional, but enhances the sauce).
For the Steak Bites
- 1.5 lbs skirt steak or sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Juice of 1 lime fresh is best
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- Zest of 1 lemon adds brightness
For the Rice
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Marinate the Steak
Start by cutting the skirt steak into bite-sized cubes. Skirt steak works beautifully here due to its bold beefy flavor and ability to soak up marinades. Place the cubes in a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, oregano, lime juice, and soy sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Let this marinate for at least 15 minutes (longer if you have time — even an hour makes a difference).
This step is key if you want tender, flavorful bites and is one reason why this recipe stands out among grilled steak recipes and other butter steak recipe variations.
Cook the Rice
While the steak marinates, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice, a pinch of salt, and a tablespoon of butter or oil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until all the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 more minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
Sear the Steak
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until smoking hot. Add the steak bites in batches to avoid overcrowding (this helps with the seared steak texture). Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side. You want a golden-brown crust and a medium-rare interior. Remove steak bites and set them aside on a plate.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Lower the heat slightly and add the butter to the same pan. Once it melts, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Stir in lemon zest and chopped parsley. This is how you make garlic butter that’s loaded with flavor, and it's a perfect butter sauce for steak.
Combine and Serve
Return the steak bites to the pan and toss in the garlic butter sauce to coat. Let them soak up all that buttery goodness for about a minute on low heat. Spoon the steak bites over a bed of warm rice, making sure to drizzle any remaining garlic butter sauce from the pan over everything.
This isn’t just garlic butter steak—it’s practically a tribute to Brazilian steakhouse flavors in weeknight form.
Pairings
These steak bites are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a range of sides and drinks depending on the vibe you want:
- Grilled Veggies: Charred bell peppers, zucchini, or corn on the cob can bring smoky sweetness that plays beautifully against the richness of the garlic butter.
- Caipirinha: If you want to lean into the Brazilian theme, this national cocktail made with cachaça, lime, and sugar is a crisp, refreshing contrast to the savory steak.
- Simple Green Salad: Dressed with a citrus vinaigrette to cut through the butter and balance the meal.
- Garlic Bread: Yes, garlic on garlic. It's indulgent, but if you love garlic butter steak, you'll be into this.
- Black Beans: Traditional with Brazilian rice and steak dishes, they add an earthy, hearty side that's also high in protein.
FAQs
1. What kind of steak is best for steak bites?
Skirt steak is ideal due to its intense beefy flavor and tenderness when seared quickly. However, sirloin or ribeye also work great. For easy steak recipes, skirt steak often delivers the best value and flavor.
2. Can I use ground beef for this?
This dish is specifically designed for steak cubes, but if you’re exploring meals with ground beef, you could adapt the garlic butter sauce to top a ground beef patty or serve it with rice for a different take.
3. Is this similar to crockpot garlic butter steak bites?
This recipe is more of a seared, quick-cook version. Crockpot garlic butter steak bites are great for slow, tender meat, but this version gives you a crispier sear and deeper flavor from the skillet.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Marinate the steak in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. You can also make the rice and garlic butter sauce ahead of time and just reheat everything when ready to serve.
5. Can I use this garlic butter on other proteins?
Absolutely. This garlic butter sauce for steak is also incredible on shrimp, chicken, or even roasted vegetables. It even works well with chicken starter recipes if you want to branch out.
