If you’re anything like me, you want a dinner that’s effortlessly delicious and crowd-pleasing. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe with you—it’s the perfect balance of sticky sweetness with that savory garlic punch, and the steak bites are just tender enough to melt in your mouth. Once you try this, you’ll want to make it again and again for weeknights or casual get-togethers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Prep: You only need a handful of ingredients and minimal hands-on time for big flavor.
- Ideal Texture: The slow cooker makes steak bites juicy and tender every single time.
- Sweet & Savory Magic: The honey-garlic sauce has just the right touch of spice and richness to complement the beef.
- Family Favorite: I’ve served this at dinners where my family literally went crazy over it—it’s that good!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything in this Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe works together to create layers of flavor that feel luxurious yet simple. When shopping, pick a good-quality sirloin and fresh garlic for the best taste.

- Sirloin: This cut has a great balance of tenderness and flavor, perfect for steak bites.
- Cooking oil: I like using sesame oil for a subtle nutty flavor, but any neutral oil works well.
- Salt and black pepper: Basic seasonings, but essential to enhance the meat’s natural taste.
- Honey: Adds that natural sweetness that balances the garlic and soy sauce beautifully.
- Soy sauce: Brings umami depth and saltiness to the sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce that pungent, aromatic kick.
- Red chili flakes: Just a pinch adds warmth and a bit of heat—feel free to adjust to your preference.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce into a nice glaze.
- Salted butter: Cubed into the dish for richness and to bring everything together with a silky finish.
Variations
I love how versatile this Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe can be, and you’ll find it super easy to tweak based on what you have or your dietary needs.
- Make it spicier: Sometimes I bump up the chili flakes or add a dash of Sriracha for a nice heat kick that wakes up the sauce even more.
- Low-sodium option: Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the added salt to keep it heart-healthy without losing flavor.
- Add veggies: Toss in sliced bell peppers or mushrooms halfway through the slow cooking for a quick one-pan meal.
- Gluten-free tweak: Swap soy sauce for tamari and use cornstarch as the thickener to keep it safe for gluten-sensitive folks.
How to Make Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Sear Your Steak Bites to Perfection
Heat your oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season the sirloin cubes with salt and black pepper, then add them to the hot skillet in a single layer. You want to sear these bites on all sides until they’re beautifully browned—about 2 minutes per batch. Don’t overcrowd your pan here; it’ll steam instead of sear, and we want that gorgeous crust. As you finish each batch, transfer the steak bites right into your slow cooker.
Step 2: Whip Up the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, red chili flakes, and cornstarch until smooth and combined. This sauce is where the magic happens—it’ll coat every bite with sticky, sweet, garlicky goodness. Pour the sauce evenly over the steak bites in the slow cooker, making sure they get well coated.
Step 3: Add Butter and Slow Cook
Cut your salted butter into small cubes and scatter them on top of the sauce-covered steak bites. This is a little secret that adds richness and a luscious texture. Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW for 5 hours. By the time it’s done, your kitchen will smell incredible, and the steak will be fork-tender, wrapped in that perfect honey-garlic glaze.
Pro Tips for Making Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe
- Don’t rush searing: A good crust on the steak bites adds flavor and texture, so take your time and work in batches.
- Fresh garlic counts: I noticed fresh minced garlic makes a huge difference compared to pre-minced—try to use fresh if you can.
- Butter for richness: Adding butter at the end of prepping really elevates the sauce’s smoothness and richness.
- Avoid overcrowding slow cooker: Too much meat at once can prevent the sauce from thickening and the steak from cooking evenly.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe

Garnishes
Once plated, I love adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness. A little sesame seed sprinkle is a simple but gorgeous touch that compliments the subtle nuttiness if you used sesame oil.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides here are fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that gorgeous sauce. Sometimes I throw together steamed broccoli or crispy roasted Brussels sprouts to balance the richness with something green and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist at gatherings, I’ve served these steak bites skewered with toothpicks atop a bed of rice or alongside grilled veggies for a “mini surf-and-turf” vibe. You could even drizzle a little extra warmed sauce on the side as a dip—it’s always a hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and the steak bites keep their flavor well for up to 3 days. When reheating, the sauce thickens and deepens even more, which is a nice bonus.
Freezing
Freeze cooled leftovers in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. I always separate single portions so I can thaw just what I need. Thawed steak bites still taste delicious and keep their tender texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat or microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Avoid high heat or overcooking to keep the steak tender and juicy.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of beef in this Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin is my favorite for tenderness and affordability, you can use ribeye, flank steak, or even tenderloin, just keep in mind that cooking times might vary slightly to achieve the perfect tenderness.
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Is it necessary to use a slow cooker for this recipe?
You can adapt this recipe to the stovetop by simmering the sauce after searing the steak bites, but the slow cooker really ensures those bites become tender and soak up the sauce beautifully with minimal effort.
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How can I make this recipe spicier?
Just increase the red chili flakes, add a dash of crushed red peppers, or stir in some Sriracha when mixing the sauce—you can easily dial up the heat to your liking.
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Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
Yes! You can mix the honey-garlic sauce ingredients in advance and store them in the fridge for a day or two. Just give it a quick whisk before pouring it over the steak bites to combine any separated ingredients.
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What should I serve with Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe?
Rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables are my favorites. These sides soak up the awesome sauce and balance each other perfectly, making your meal feel complete.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe brings comfort and flavor with such little fuss. When I first tried it, I was amazed at how tender and flavorful the steak got just by slow cooking in that simple honey garlic sauce. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking to impress friends with a simple meal, this recipe has got you covered. Give it a try—I’m confident you’ll end up making this your go-to steak recipe too!
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Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 hr
- Total Time: 5 hr 15 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Honey Garlic Steak Bites are tender, juicy sirloin pieces cooked low and slow in a luscious honey garlic sauce. This easy slow cooker recipe delivers sticky, sweet, and savory steak bites perfect for a flavorful dinner any day of the week.
Ingredients
Steak
- 3 lbs. sirloin
- 2-3 Tbsp. cooking oil (can use sesame oil)
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- ½ tsp. red chili flakes
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
Finishing
- ¼ cup salted butter
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear the Steak: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the sirloin steak pieces with salt and black pepper. Sear the steak bites on all sides until browned, about 2 minutes per batch to avoid overcrowding the pan. Transfer the browned steak bites to your slow cooker.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, red chili flakes, and cornstarch until smooth. Pour the sauce mixture over the steak bites in the slow cooker.
- Add Butter and Slow Cook: Cut the salted butter into small cubes and scatter over the steak and sauce. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the steak to become tender.
- Serve: After cooking, stir gently to coat the steak bites in the sauce, then serve hot. Enjoy your sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic steak bites!
Notes
- Sticky, sweet, and savory—these steak bites are a flavor-packed meal suitable for any day of the week.
- For best results, sear steak in batches without overcrowding to ensure proper browning.
- You can substitute sesame oil for a nuttier flavor during searing.
- Adjust red chili flakes to your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 521 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 931 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 159 mg

