Chili Lime Steak Bites
This quick Chili Lime Steak Bites recipe packs plenty of spicy and zesty flavors into tender pieces of sirloin steak. With just a handful of ingredients, in under 15 minutes, you can make an irresistible appetizer or an easy dinner that is a fiesta for your taste buds. It’s naturally gluten free with lots of serving options, so you know it’s a staple in our house!
Love the sauce? Try Chili Lime Beef Cube Steaks or Chili Lime Shrimp!
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Tex-Mex
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
Just because you are short on time, it doesn’t mean dinner has to be short on deliciousness! I always keep the ingredients on hand to make Chili Lime Steak Bites. It’s a simple dish that is part of our regular rotation because they are perfect to whip up even when you only have a few minutes to make a meal.
I first made this dish years ago when I was reviewing The Simple Kitchen cookbook by Donna and Chad Elick from The Slow Roasted Italian Cookbook. Yes, other recipes like Down-Home Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes and No-Bake Rocky Road Avalanche Bars are absolutely mouthwatering. But it’s definitely these vibrant little morself of beef that I keep coming back to time after time. Here’s why…
Why You’ll Love Chili Lime Steak Bites
- So quick and easy. You won’t believe that including prep time, they are ready in less than 15 minutes! But you still get a little bit (or a lot if you prefer) of spice, plus the tangy flavor of fresh lime juice and zest.
- Incredibly versatile. Serve them in tacos, over a salad, on rice bowls, and more. My favorite is to have enjoy on top of browned butter cauliflower rice! But you can also make a batch to serve with toothpicks for a party appetizer. Keep reading for more serving suggestions.
- Naturally gluten free. No swaps needed for a fast gluten free main dish that is ideal for mixed diest families. Just be sure to use a chili paste that’s gluten free, though most are.
Recipe Ingredients
With only five ingredients (plus salt and pepper). It doesn’t get much easier. Here is an overview of the ingredients and how to make the steak bites, followed by tips and serving ideas. For the full amounts and step-by-step instructions, keep scrolling for the recipe card.
- Top sirloin steak – If there is a thick layer of fat on the steak, you can cut that off. Then cut it into 1-inch thick slices, and cut those slices into 1/2-inch long pieces.
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder – Since the steak and sauce have so much flavor, you only need basic seasonings from your spice cabinet for this recipe.
- Chili paste – I used to make this with the tubes of chili paste you can find in the produce section near the herbs from the brand Gourmet Gardens. That brand discontinued the product, but you may be able to find another brand. I now use Huy Fong Sambal Oelek (chili paste), or even sriracha sauce in a pinch. I used to use the tubes of chili paste by Gourmet Gardens in the produce section near the herbs. Avoid gochujang because even though it is technically a chili paste, it has a different flavor, and often isn’t gluten free.
- Olive oil – You can also use a neutral oil like avocado oil as well. No need for the fancy extra virgin olive oil here.
- Limes – You’ll need both the zest and the juice of the limes, so be sure to zest the limes first before juicing them.
What kind of steak is best to use for steak bites?
The top sirloin is a lean and affordable cut of beef. But it is extremely flavorful and juicy. It is perfect for a recipe like this because since it does not have a high fat content, the quick cooking time ensures it retains its moisture and does not dry out.
🍴 In the Cupcakes & Kale Chips Kitchen…
- Microplane zester – get all that vibrant lime zest easily without any of the bitter white pith. I also use this for zinger, garlic, chocolate, and more.
- Handheld juicer – one easy squeeze is all you need to mazimize the juice you get from your limes.
- Cast iron skillet – when you want a nice sear, you need a very hot pan, and cast iron is the way to go.
How to Make Steak Bites with Chili and Lime
- Season the beef. Cut top sirloin steak into cubes. Season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then drizzle chili paste and honey over the top of the steak cubes and toss to coat it completely.
- Sear the steak. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until it is screaming hot. Add the steak to the pan and sear it for about a minute on the first side before flipping it to cook for about a minute on the second side.
- Make the saue. Remove the steak from the pan. Then add lime zest and juice to create a zingy glaze.
- Serve and enjoy. Pour the glazed over the steak bites and serve the way you like them. See below for ideas!
Simple Tips and Steak Bite Variations
- Get the pan super hot. That’s what gets you the nice sear and caramelization on the outside, and seals in the juices. I like to test it by adding one piece of steak to make sure it immediately starts to sizzle.
- Use cast iron if you can. Cast iron skillets can get much hotter than other pans, especially nonstick skillets that shouldn’t be put over the highest heat.
- Zest before you juice. You need both, and it’s hard to get the zest off a lime that you’ve already squeezed. I like to use a Microplane zester to avoid getting any of the bitter white pith. And this handheld juicer has become my new best friend lately because it gets out tons of juice without a lot of work or mess.
- Make extra. You can quickly make several batches to add to your game day or Cinco de Mayo menu. Or double or triple the batch if you have a large skillet. I guarantee they will disappear faster than you can make them.
- Keep it simple. Instead of making a glaze, you can simply smother them in a garlicky sauce to make Garlic Butter Steak Bites, or just douse them with Worcestershire Sauce, similar to the way I make cube steaks.
- Swap the sauce. I’ll also swap the chili paste and lime juice with balsamic vinegar to make Honey Balsamic Steak Bites, or toss them with Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce for an Asian-inspired twist.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover steak bites can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. They are actually great for meal prep or quick lunches. You can even wrap them tightly and freeze them for up to two months. Just be sure to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving cold on a salad or reheating.
Make it a Meal
Once you make this easy steak bites recipe once, you’ll be making it all the time. You’ll love that not only is it quick, but it’s also super versatile with so many ways to serve it.
- On rice bowls. Serve it with rice, cauliflower rice, with a drizzle of Aji Sauce and some Chili Lime Corn.
- Over salad. Use them to make a salad with delicious Honey Lime Dressing or Jalapeno Ranch.
- Plated up. They would be tasty alongside a baked sweet potato with Mexican Pepper Jack Cauli Tots.
- Stuffed in tacos. You can use them to make steak tacos in Corn Tortillas topped with Mango Avocado Salsa and Easy Guacamole.
- As an appetizer. Also, these steak bites can be a fast party snack with some Avocado Lime Crema or easy Thai Peanut Sauce for dipping.
More easy steak recipes
- Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak
- Greek Beef Skewers
- Caprese Filet Mignon
- Honey Balsamic Grilled Flat Iron Steak
Chili Lime Sirloin Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb. top sirloin steak
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons chili paste or sauce (either tubes of chili paste in the product section or chili sauce from the Asian section of the grocery store, such as sambal oelek)
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 limes zested and juiced
Instructions
- Cut 1 lb. top sirloin steak into 1-inch strips, then cut the strips into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Place the steak in a small bowl, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Stir to coat the steak in the spices.
- Add 2 Tablespoons chili paste or sauce and 1 Tablespoon honey, and stir again to coat the steak completely.
- Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Hold your hand about 6 inches above the pan, and when you can feel the heat, add 2 Tablespoons olive oil and swirl around the pan. Add the steak to the pan in a single layer. If it doesn't sizzle and hiss, the pan is not hot enough.
- Sear the steak for 1 minute before touching it, then flip the steak bites with tongs or a spatula. Sear the steak on the second side for an additional 1 minute, then remove the steak from the pan to a plate.
- Add the zest and juice of 2 limes to the hot pan, stir to combine, and pour the chili lime sauce over the steak bites.
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Just made this for dinner and all I can say is Wow!!! We like things with a little more heat/zing, so next time i would also add a Tbsp. of Cento sandwich spread. Served it with a Jasmine Brown Rice and Quinoa mix and Kimchi on the side. Tomorrow we will do a Brown rice bowl with the left over rice/beef and put a sunny side egg on top.
I’m so glad that you liked the steak bites recipe, Mark, and your dinner sounds like it was absolutely delicious!
Can I make this in an instapot? Thank u
Vicki, you probably could make the chili lime steak bites that way, but I don’t think it would be any quicker or easier than cooking them in a cast iron skillet on the stove top.
I uploaded this recipe to My Fitness Pal, but the nutritional facts you have listed don’t match up with what shows in MFP, any idea why?
Melissa, nutritional information can vary depending on the ingredients you use (brands, etc.). Additionally, I think MFP nutrition is primarily gathered from users, so if something was entered incorrectly, that would also throw things off balance.
What is chili paste?
Chili paste is a condiment that is used a lot in Asian cooking. It’s very similar in taste to Sriracha sauce, but it’s thicker in consistency. You can find it in the Asian section of most food stores.
hi can use any other type of meat for this recipe like stewing beef?
Hi Tina,
You can substitute another cut of meat for the sirloin steak, but because of the short cooking time, it will need to be a lean cut of beef with very little marbling/fat, such as flank steak. Stew meat is not a good choice for this recipe, because the cut of beef is very tough/marbled and requires hours of cooking time to make it tender.
Marvelous! Loved it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Suzanne!
This looks so yummy! It is definitely going on the menu board in the near future!
I hope you enjoy the recipe, Melissa!
I don’t have a cast iron pan, will just a regular pan work for the chili lime steak bites?
And after you put the lime zest and juice in pan, do you return the steak bites back to pan to cook a little!
Sincerely,
Lori
Lori, if you have a stainless steel pan, that would work wonderfully for the steak bites recipe as well. Try to avoid using a non-stick pan, because it won’t give you the nice sear that you can get from a cast iron or stainless steel pan. You can definitely return the steak bites to the pan if you would like them to cook a little longer. Enjoy!
Can you tell me about the chili paste? Brand? Where I would find it. Thank you!
Hi Kal – I use a brand called Gourmet Gardens. It comes in a tube. Sold near the fresh herbs in the produce section of most larger grocery stores.
There are different flavors in the Gourmet Garden tubes. Can you tell me which flavor you used to make this recipe?
It is the Chili Pepper flavor.
I make meat dishes with a ‘sauce/gravy’ very often. There is No Way that your video represents your ingredients as written. There is definitely some cornstarch ‘slurry’ made with beef bullion + water or beef broth and added to the lime juice. Your video shows at least 1/2-1 cup of thickened liquid being poured over the steak pieces.
Actually no, there is no slurry or beef broth. The video follows the recipe and it’s the exact same steak bites from the video in the photos.
I made this and it does create the sauce as shown in the video and photos. It is so delicious! Trust the recipe! If you want more sauce, double up on the portioning.
Thank you for your comment and recipe rating, Kathryn! I’m so happy to hear that you love the steak bites recipe. It’s one of our favorites. 🙂