Balsamic Steak Bites are packed with restaurant-worthy flavor, but take minimal effort to make! They’re a weeknight game changer! The steak is juicy and tender with a deep, caramelized flavor from the sear, while the balsamic vinegar and honey bring a subtle, tangy sweetness to the savory marinade. Ready in minutes, this recipe is the ultimate flavor-packed, quick and easy dinner your whole family will love!
I love steak bites! They’re fast to cook, easy to portion out, and can be made with a variety of marinades and flavors. I love to get packaged pre-cut steak bites from the store to save me the extra step of cutting the steak into bite-size pieces. Not that that’s a difficult process, but anything to save me time on busy weeknights is a win in my book! And these steak bites are just to die for. The marinade is both sweet and savory and gives flavor that everyone will love- even the pickiest eaters!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Fast – Only ten minutes to prep to get your steak marinating and then only 8 minutes of cook time. These steak bites come together fast!
- High protein – These steak bites are an easy and delicious way to elevate your protein game!
- Delicious – These bites have so much flavor packed into each little bite!
- Easy cleanup – One bowl for the marinade and one skillet to cook makes for a quick and easy cleanup!
Recipe Notes
This Balsamic Steak Bites recipe is as simple as promised! Just a 10 minutes of prep and 8 minutes of cook time for a family friendly steak dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make balsamic steak bites to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Sirloin steak – Cut into bite-size pieces. You could really use any cut of steak you might have on hand. Strip steak and ribeye would also work well.
- Olive oil – For the marinade and for cooking. Avocado oil would be another good cooking oil option.
- Balsamic vinegar – This is the star of the marinade!
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Honey
- Butter– Butter adds richness to steak and takes the flavor over the top.
- Salt & pepper
- Optional garnishes: fresh chopped, parsley, basil or oregano. Balsamic glaze.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Hot Honey Balsamic Steak Bites– Substitute hot honey for the honey for the tiniest bit of heat in each bite.
- Peppery Balsamic Steak Bites– If you enjoy the flavor of black pepper, add a lot of cracked black pepper when you whisk together your marinade.
- Balsamic Steak and Mushrooms– Mushrooms are like the steak of vegetables. They are meaty and absorb flavors so well. Take an 8 oz box of whole mushrooms, rinse and cut them into quarters. Add them to the skillet when you’re cooking the steak bites. You’ve just successfully worked a delicious veggie into your dinner!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make balsamic steak bites.
Cut sirloin into 1 inch cubes.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt and pepper.
Toss the steak with the marinade until it’s evenly coated, then chill.
Cook steak in skillet over medium-high heat. To finish, add butter and additional garlic to the pan.
Recipe Tips
- Trim the steak while you cut it – When you’re cutting the steak into bite-size pieces, remove the excess fat, along with any gristle and discard.
- Marinate – Don’t skip the marinating step! It helps tenderize and infuse flavor into the steak. If you have time, marinate even longer for more tender, flavorful bites.
- Don’t pour in the marinade!– After marinating the steak, don’t dump everything (steak and marinade) into the skillet. The excess marinade will keep the steak from searing. Instead, use tongs to remove the steak from the marinade and place into skillet.
- Don’t overcook – If lean steak cooks too long it will get tougher. Take a look at my Steak Doneness Chart at the bottom to know what the internal temperature should be for your preferred bite.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Buy pre-cut steak bites – Some butcher shops and grocery stores sell steak that’s already cut into bite-sized pieces. This will help cut time out of your prep!
- Prep in advance – Complete all steps, except cooking, up to 12 hours in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and remove when you’re ready to cook.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this steak bites recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Cut the steak, then add all ingredients to a gallon-size freezer bag or an airtight storage container. Place in the freezer.
- 24 hours before cooking, remove from freezer and place in the refrigerator to thaw.
- Cook in skillet according to the recipe.
How to Freeze Balsamic Steak Bites After Cooking
- Allow steak bites to cool completely.
- Place leftover steak bites and excess juices into a gallon-size freezer bag.
- Place in freezer for up to 6 months.
What to Serve with Balsamic Steak Bites
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of balsamic vinegar, garlic and steak, it will pair well with many of your favorite steakhouse side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
- Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Steakhouse Style House Salad
- Oven Roasted Green Beans
- Burrata Arugula Salad
Balsamic Steak Bites Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Steak Salad with Balsamic Dressing– Top a homemade house salad with leftover steak bites. Drizzle a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette over the top.
- Balsamic Steak Stuffed Pitas– Place a layer of tzatziki, greens, cucumber tomato salad and chopped up steak bites into a warmed pita.
- Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Steak– Cook quinoa per package directions. Add chopped bell pepper, onion, tomatoes and basil and stir to combine. Pour Italian dressing over quinoa mixture and chill. Top with steak bites. Take a look at this Italian Quinoa Salad recipe for inspiration.
- Steak Bites Lettuce Wraps– Lay out Bibb lettuce and fill with chopped steak bites, crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumbers, finely diced red onion and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.
Recipe FAQ’s
What is the best cut of meat for steak bites?
Sirloin is the most popular choice due to its tenderness and affordability. Ribeye will give you maximum flavor and marbling. If you want to splurge, New York strip or filet mignon will give you maximum tenderness.
What does balsamic vinegar do for steak?
Balsamic vinegar tenderizes the meat (as do all vinegars). It also adds sweet and tangy flavor, and creates a rich caramelized crust when seared.
How long should you marinate steak in balsamic vinegar?
For best results, marinate 2-4 hours. Because balsamic vinegar is highly acidic, marinating for longer than 12-24 hours can break down the meat fibers and result in mushy texture.
More EASY Steak Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy steak recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Cajun Butter Steak– A reader favorite!
- Garlic Herb Steak
- Easy Steak Fried Rice– This feeds a crowd!
- Pepper Steak Stir Fry– Better than take out!
- BEST EVER Sizzling Steak Fajitas
Balsamic Steak Bites
Ingredients
For the balsamic steak marinade
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the steak
- 1½ pounds sirloin steak, cut to 1 inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Whisk together all of the ingredients except for the steak until combined. Toss the steak with the marinade so it is evenly coated and chill for 10-20 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet (cast iron, or heavy bottomed) over medium high to high heat. Once hot, add the 2 teaspoons of oil.
- Use tongs to remove the steak from the marinade and place it in a single layer in the skillet so the bottom of each bite is resting on the skillet.Note: Don't dump it in the skillet because you don't want the excess marinade to keep the steak from searing.
- Cook on the first side for 2-3 minutes to form a nice sear. Then flip and cook on the other side 1-2 minutes. Then stir and cook until they come to your desired doneness. Measure doneness with a meat thermometer (see chart below.)
- To finish, add butter and additional garlic to the skillet and stir into the steak bites for about 30 seconds. Remove from skillet and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Freshly chopped herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano
- Balsamic glaze
- Rare: 120–125°F – Cool red center
- Medium Rare: 130–135°F – Warm red center
- Medium: 140–145°F – Warm pink center
- Medium Well: 150–155°F – Slightly pink center
- Well Done: 160°F and above – Little or no pink
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