Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe
Honey Garlic Steak Bites are tender, flavorful beef pieces simmered in a savory and sweet garlic honey sauce. Perfectly caramelized and cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection, this versatile recipe can be made in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or Dutch oven, making it an easy and convenient meal option for any occasion.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours (slow cooker), 20 minutes (Instant Pot) plus pressure release, 2 to 3 hours (Dutch oven)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker), approx. 45 minutes (Instant Pot including prep and release), 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (Dutch oven)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, Dutch Oven
- Cuisine: American with Asian-inspired flavors
- Diet: Halal
Meat
- 2 pounds beef, cut into bite sized pieces (stew beef recommended)
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (alternative: olive oil or vegetable oil)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 cup cold filtered water
Optional Garnishes
- Green onion
- Scallions
- Parsley
- Sesame seeds
Thickening Agent
- 1 – 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with an equal amount of cold water for thickening, if desired
- Browning the Beef: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, brown the beef pieces on all sides until they develop an appealing caramelization. The beef does not need to be cooked through at this stage, just browned. Transfer browned beef to your cooking vessel according to your chosen method.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together minced garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and dried oregano. Add cold filtered water and stir to combine the sauce evenly.
- Sauce and Meat Combination: Pour the sauce mixture over the browned beef pieces, making sure the meat is well coated. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Slow Cooker Method: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Check at 4 hours for tenderness. If meat is tender and you prefer a thicker sauce, gradually stir in the cornstarch slurry, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion before serving. If meat is still tough and sauce is nearly gone, add a splash more water and continue cooking, covered.
- Instant Pot Method: Using the sauté mode, brown the beef pieces in batches as described. Add the sauce mixture and water to the pot. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure (manual) for 20 minutes. Allow a natural release of pressure for at least 10 minutes. Open the lid, turn on sauté mode again, and thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry in increments if desired. Finish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion.
- Dutch Oven Method: Brown the steak pieces in sesame oil over medium to medium-high heat, working in batches. Pour in the sauce mixture and water, deglazing the pan by scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Cover the Dutch oven tightly (using foil plus lid if needed) and bake in a 250°F oven for 2 to 3 hours until meat is tender. If desired, thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry increments. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion.
Notes
- Do not cook the honey garlic sauce on high heat in slow cooker to prevent honey from burning.
- Browning the beef before slow cooking or pressure cooking adds depth and flavor.
- If the sauce reduces too much before the meat is tender, add water to prevent burning and continue cooking.
- The optional cornstarch slurry helps achieve a thicker, glaze-like sauce; add gradually until desired thickness is reached.
- Use coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative; flavor will be slightly different but delicious.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or fresh herbs to enhance presentation and flavor.
- This recipe works well with stew beef, chuck, or sirloin cut into bite-sized pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approximately 4 oz beef with sauce)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Honey Garlic Beef Bites, Slow Cooker Steak, Instant Pot Steak, Sweet Garlic Steak, Easy Beef Dinner, Asian-inspired beef, Quick beef recipe