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Honey Garlic Steak Bites

Category: Effortless Evening Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

Honey garlic steak bites feature tender beef cubes caramelized in a rich mix of honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and fresh garlic, then garnished with sesame seeds and green onion. You can achieve boldly flavored, melt-in-your-mouth steak cubes in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or dutch oven. Browning the meat first adds extra depth, while the honey-soy glaze balances sweet and savory notes. Finish with a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce to your liking and sprinkle on sesame seeds and green onion for a crisp, aromatic finish. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or steamed veggies for a quick, crowd-pleasing dish.

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Updated on Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:03:01 GMT
A bowl of honey garlic steak bites. Pin
A bowl of honey garlic steak bites. | lottirecipes.com

Honey garlic steak bites are my secret weapon for effortlessly satisfying dinner cravings They deliver tender flavorful pieces of beef bathed in a glossy sweet and savory glaze with minimal prep and big flavor payoff The recipe is a weeknight favorite when I want something hearty with little fuss and easy crowd appeal

I first threw this together on a busy school night and was amazed at how the sticky honey glaze transformed basic stew beef into something my family now requests again and again

Ingredients

  • Beef stew cuts or sirloin: choose well marbled beef for maximum tenderness and flavor
  • Sesame oil: gives the dish a subtle nutty aroma toasted sesame oil works well for more depth
  • Garlic: fresh minced garlic is key to balancing the honey sweetness
  • Honey: pure honey thickens and adds natural caramel hinted sweetness
  • Ketchup: adds tang and rounds out the savory notes of the sauce
  • Soy sauce or coconut aminos: soy for classic depth coconut aminos for a gluten free option
  • Dried oregano or Italian seasoning: a pinch brings a rustic herbal aroma
  • Water: always use filtered cold water to ensure a clean base for the sauce
  • Cornstarch: for thickening mix with cold water for best results only add at the end if you want a sticky sauce
  • Green onion scallions parsley sesame seeds for finishing: add bright color and crunch use the freshest you can find

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown the Beef:
Pat beef dry for the best browning Heat sesame oil in a heavy skillet or Instant Pot Sauté beef in batches over medium high heat Separate each piece and let it caramelize deeply on all sides This concentrated browning unlocks the meaty flavor foundation for the glaze
Mix and Combine:
In a bowl whisk garlic honey ketchup soy sauce and dried herbs until smooth Pour this aromatic mixture over the browned beef in your cooking vessel Add the water and stir to coat everything evenly scraping up any browned bits for extra savoriness
Slow Cook or Braise:
For slow cooker set to low and cover Let the beef soak up the honey garlic sauce for four to six hours until melt in your mouth tender For Dutch oven tightly cover and bake at low heat for two to three hours on the stovetop simmer gently checking for tenderness after the first two hours In an Instant Pot lock the lid cook on high for twenty minutes and allow a natural release for at least ten minutes to keep meat juicy
Thicken and Finish:
When the beef is tender if you crave a stickier glaze dissolve cornstarch in equal parts cold water Stir into simmering sauce in small increments Let it bubble for a minute until the sauce thickens to your taste Top everything with sliced green onions fresh parsley and sesame seeds for a satisfying bright finish
A pot of honey garlic steak bites. Pin
A pot of honey garlic steak bites. | lottirecipes.com

I adore the way honey caramelizes onto the beef adding glossy richness and the sweet aroma always draws my kids into the kitchen Early on my youngest insisted on sprinkling the sesame seeds it is now a little family tradition every time I make this

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days Freeze in single portions for up to one month The sauce thickens as it sits so add a splash of water when reheating for sauciness

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have sesame oil olive or vegetable oil works fine Swap honey for maple syrup if needed For a lower sodium version choose low sodium soy sauce Taste as you go to keep the perfect balance

Serving Suggestions

Spoon steak bites and sauce over fluffy rice steamed broccoli or roasted potatoes They also make amazing steak bite sliders on toasted buns Add extra green onion and sesame seeds for a fresh finish

Cultural and Historical Context

Honey and soy sauce is a classic East meets West flavor combination It brings together the sweetness of honey often used in American barbecue and the deep umami of soy fundamental to Asian cooking This fusion is a reason the dish is loved by many families including mine

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, stew beef, sirloin, or any tender cut will work well. Adjust cooking time if using leaner or tougher cuts.

→ How do I avoid burning the honey sauce?

Use low heat settings in the slow cooker and add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

→ Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the steak bites in advance and reheat gently before serving. The flavors deepen if made ahead.

→ What sides go well with these steak bites?

Steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables complement the sweet and savory flavors perfectly.

→ Can I make the sauce thicker?

Yes, add a cornstarch and water slurry in increments while simmering to reach your desired sauce thickness.

→ Are there alternative garnishes?

Try parsley, chives, or extra scallions for a fresh flavor boost beyond sesame seeds and green onion.

Honey Garlic Steak Bites

Juicy steak bites in sweet-savory honey garlic sauce, topped with sesame and green onion for irresistible taste.

Preparation Time
15 mins
Cook Time
240 mins
Total Time
255 mins

Category: Quick Dinners

Difficulty Level: Easy

Cuisine Type: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Dairy-Free

What You'll Need

→ Main Ingredients

01 900 g beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 15 ml sesame oil (alternatively, olive oil or vegetable oil)

→ Sauce

03 4 garlic cloves, minced
04 120 ml honey
05 120 ml ketchup
06 120 ml soy sauce or coconut aminos
07 0.5 g dried oregano or Italian seasoning
08 240 ml cold filtered water

→ Thickener (optional)

09 15–30 ml cornstarch, mixed with an equal amount of cold water

→ Finishing & Garnish (optional)

10 Sliced green onion or scallions
11 Chopped parsley
12 Sesame seeds

Steps to Follow

Step 01

In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear beef pieces on all sides to develop caramelization. Avoid overcrowding the pan.

Step 02

In a bowl, whisk together minced garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, and oregano. Pour the sauce over the beef.

Step 03

Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker. Add water and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours. Check at 4 hours for tenderness. If needed, add more water to prevent sauce from burning. For thicker sauce, stir in cornstarch slurry in 15 ml increments until the desired consistency is reached. Finish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion.

Step 04

Select sauté mode and brown beef in batches with oil. Pour sauce over beef and add water. Secure lid and set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then allow natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes. After opening, switch to sauté mode and add cornstarch slurry as needed to thicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.

Step 05

On the stovetop, brown steak pieces in sesame oil over medium-high heat. Deglaze with water, then add sauce mixture. Cover and transfer to a 120°C oven for 2–3 hours, or until beef is tender. Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry as desired. Finish with fresh garnishes.

Additional Notes

  1. For optimal results, avoid overcrowding when browning meat to ensure even caramelization.
  2. Adjust sauce thickness by incorporating cornstarch slurry in increments, allowing the mixture to simmer briefly between each addition.
  3. Monitor slow cooker liquid levels to prevent burning, especially in the final hour of cooking.
  4. Use caution when releasing pressure from Instant Pot; utilize a long-handled utensil for safety.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker
  • Pressure cooker (Instant Pot)
  • Dutch oven
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Allergy Information

Check every ingredient for potential allergens. Consult a healthcare professional for concerns.
  • Contains soy (use coconut aminos for a soy-free option).
  • Prepared in oil which may contain traces of sesame.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 402
  • Fats: ~
  • Carbohydrates: ~
  • Proteins: ~