Cajun Steak Bites – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Steak bites are a weeknight mainstay of our meal-planning rotation. And these Cajun Steak Bites have just enough kick to please both my spice lovers and less adventurous eaters.

Cajun Butter Steak Bites

Steak bites are crispy bits of steak that cook up quickly and easily on the stovetop. I like to use a skirt steak cut into bite-sized pieces.

Cooked with plenty of spices in a bit of butter, this is a guaranteed win of a meal in my house. I typically serve them with some roasted vegetables and potatoes or rice.

Take care not to overcrowd the pan when cooking this recipe. You want to give each piece the chance to crisp up and get browned edges. Overcrowding the pan will result in the steak being steamed instead of browned.

The goal when cooking steak bites is to create a crisply browned outside and a lovely pink and juicy center for each piece.

As the meat is cooking, if a piece is slightly larger and has a side that looks like it hasn’t browned, flip to that side again for 20-30 seconds. Take caution not to overcook it.

When asked whether to use inside or outside skirt steak, my usual answer is to use whichever you can find at the grocery store. The truth is you can use either cut in this recipe. However, if I have the choice I go with the outside skirt.

Outside skirt is usually a bit larger in size and is more flavorful and tender than the inside skirt. Most of the time though, I just go with what is available at my local market.

There isn’t always time to marinate a steak so these tasty bites with a flavorful dry rub are a perfect solution. The juicy bites cook up in minutes and make a complete meal, just add a vegetable.

I served these steak bites with a pan of Roasted Green Beans and Garlic Paprika Roasted Cauliflower, along with some Roasted Red Potatoes seasoned with the same Cajun spices I use on the steak bites.

Cajun Steak Bites

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

• skirt steak
• butter
• smoked paprika
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• crushed oregano
• crushed thyme
• salt
• black pepper
• cayenne pepper

You can swap all of the spices in this recipe for about 4-5 teaspoons of this Cajun Seasoning Mix. I keep a jar of it on hand in the pantry to make meal times even easier.

I don’t recommend using a pre-made store-bought seasoning in the same amounts. Most pre-packaged mixes have a great deal more salt in them and you’ll risk a very salty final dish.

Cajun Seasoned Steak

To make this Cajun steak recipe, you’ll start by cutting the meat into bite-size pieces, about ½” – ¾” in size. Place the meat in a large bowl and sprinkle with paprika, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Toss well to coat the pieces.

Heat a heavy flat-bottomed stainless skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter has melted, swirl to coat the pan. Add about a third of the meat and spread it across the pan.

Cook for 1 minute and then use a large spatula to flip the pieces over. Cook 1 more minute. Use a spatula to remove the meat to a plate and then repeat with the second batch of meat pieces.

Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet, melt, and scrape up all the drippings. Drizzle the butter over the steak bites. Serve hot.

My kids dive right into these Buttered Steak Bites with Mushrooms and always ask for seconds. Served with Salt Potatoes and Honey Sriracha Roasted Broccoli, I love every bite of this meal.

We like to serve these Indian Spiced Steak Bites over this Carnitas Salad Bowl (just swap the pork for these steak bites), with Turmeric Butter Rice, or with these Turmeric Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans.

{originally published 7/11/22 – recipe notes and photos updated 4/3/24}