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Delicious and zesty chili lime Steak Bites seared to tender perfection in a tangy chili lime sauce. This recipe is quick, easy, and packed with bold flavors.
Why We Love These Steak Bites
- Flavorful: The combo of chili and lime offers a slightly spicy taste that’s so delicious.
- Quick: Ready in 15 minutes, this steak bites recipe is perfect for a last-minute dinner.
- Versatility: Ideal for everything from a cozy family dinner to a party snack.
- Tender: The searing technique results in perfectly juicy and tender sirloin steak.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a few everyday ingredients bring the heat, the tang, and all that flavor to these juicy chili lime steak bites.
- Sirloin Steak: Sirloin is great for quick cooking but ribeye can also work.
- Chili Paste: Adds a spicy kick. Use hot sauce or red pepper flakes as an alternative.
- Honey: Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness. If needed, maple syrup is a good substitute.
- Lime (Juice and Zest): Provides a fresh, citrusy zing.
- Garlic Powder, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: This classic seasoning trio enhances the meat’s natural flavors.
- Olive Oil: For searing. Canola or vegetable oil are good alternatives.
How To Make Chili Lime Steak Bites
This is a very quick recipe that packs plenty of flavors. The lime not only adds flavor but also helps in tenderizing the meat. Also, this dish’s ease and flavor make it a great introduction to cooking with steak for beginners.
- Cube the steak. Cut the sirloin steak into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss the cubed steak in a zesty sauce of chili paste, honey, and seasonings.
- Cook. Sear the steak bites in a hot cast iron skillet until just cooked, about 2 to 3 minutes total.
- Add lime. Stir in fresh lime juice and lime zest to the hot pan; mix it around before removing it from the heat.
- Finish and serve. Transfer the steak bites to a serving platter and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- Hot skillet = perfect sear. Don’t crowd the pan, and make sure it’s really hot before the steak hits it. This gives you that golden crust.
- Pat the steak dry. Before cooking, blot the steak cubes with a paper towel to help them sear instead of steam.
- Cut evenly. Try to cut the steak into uniform pieces so everything cooks at the same speed.
- Adjust the heat. To make it spicier, add more chili paste or toss in red pepper flakes. For a milder take, use less paste and squeeze in extra lime juice to brighten it up.
- Finish fresh. Cilantro, green onions, or even a quick squeeze of lime at the end takes it from good to whoa.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these steak bites with a side of my parmesan sugar snap peas alongside this Instant Pot mashed cauliflower. Top a green goddess salad with them, or serve them as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy handling.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate steak leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to retain tenderness.
Tools I Used
(Amazon affiliate links) – Check out my kitchen shop here.
- Cast iron skillet – Holds heat like a champ and gives those steak bites a great sear.
- Tongs – For flipping the steak bites without losing that crust.
- Citrus juicer and zester – Makes it easy to squeeze every drop of lime juice.
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Chili Lime Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound top sirloin steak, cubed
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chili paste, add more if you like it spicier
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 limes, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Cut and season the steak. Cut the steak into 1/2-inch cubes. Then, place the steak cubes in a mixing bowl; season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and stir to coat the steak bites. Add chili paste and honey to the steak bites; stir until well coated.
- Heat the skillet. Heat a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Hold your hand 6 inches above the skillet, and when you can feel the heat, add the olive oil and swirl it around.
- Sear. Add the steak bites to the hot skillet in a single layer. If it doesn't sizzle, the skillet is not hot enough. Sear the steak bites for 1 minute – do not move them around. Using tongs, flip the steak bites over. Continue to sear for a minute longer, or until done. Transfer the steak bites to a plate; set aside.
- Warm the zest and juice. Add the lime zest and lime juice to the hot skillet and stir to combine; pour the lime sauce over the steak bites.
- Finish and serve. Top with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley, and serve.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
The whole family loved it. I made some with chicken as I don’t eat steak and even that was delicious.
Made it a couple of days ago, LOVED IT, not a fan of leftovers, but next day had for lunch, fantastic. Husband and I are making again tonight, putting it on southwest style salad. This would be great on chicken or shrimp as well.
Cant wait to try this!! Do you think red curry paste would work as a substitute to thai chili paste? Or better to use hot sauce?
Hi there! This sounds wonderful! Have you ever substituted the steak bites for chicken?
Yep, I have! And it’s delish! 🙂 But the chicken bites do take just a bit longer to cook through.
What can I use in place of the chili paste?
Hi!
You can use hot sauce, or sriracha. It won’t be as thick as chili paste, but it works.
Can you make these in a regular skillet if you don’t have a cast iron pan?
Sure! It might take a minute longer to cook through since regular skillets don’t retain heat quite like cast iron skillets, but it’s fine. Also, just make sure to wait until the oil is hot enough before adding in the steak bites. You want that sizzle. 🙂
This is delicious! It would be great to make and freeze it. Sitting down and eating some right now.
What kind of chili paste. There are a gazillion?
You can use any as long as it’s chili paste. I use “Thai Kitchen” or “Sambal Oelek”
Hi Katerina
Great Recipe. I can feel the taste while reading the post. It is delicious.