Seared Beef Bites with Roasted Baby Potatoes & Thyme


Tender garlic-thyme beef bites paired with crispy roasted potatoes and a silky pan sauce—your new favorite skillet-style comfort dinner.

When you need a meal that’s both comforting and impressive, this one’s a total showstopper. Juicy, pan-seared beef cubes are basted in butter, garlic, and thyme, then drizzled with a savory pan sauce and nestled next to crispy, golden baby potatoes. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but elegant enough to serve guests—especially when plated in a dark cast iron skillet for that irresistible rustic look.


Ingredients

For the Beef:

  • 1½ lbs (680g) beef sirloin or ribeye, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • Fresh thyme sprigs

For the Roasted Potatoes:

  • 1½ lbs (680g) baby potatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh thyme leaves

For the Pan Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp butter (to finish)

Instructions

1️⃣ Roast the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Toss the halved baby potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme leaves.
Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Pro Tip: For even crispier edges, place the cut side of the potatoes down on the baking tray.


2️⃣ Sear the Beef Bites

Pat the beef cubes dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet (cast iron preferred) over medium-high heat.
Sear the beef in batches, about 2–3 minutes per side, until a deep crust forms but the inside remains tender.

In the last minute of cooking each batch, add butter, smashed garlic cloves, and thyme sprigs.
Spoon the melted butter over the beef to baste and infuse flavor. Set aside once seared.


3️⃣ Make the Pan Sauce

In the same skillet (leave those flavor-packed browned bits!), add beef broth and balsamic vinegar.
Scrape up all the fond from the bottom with a wooden spoon and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Finish with a tablespoon of butter for a rich, glossy pan sauce.


4️⃣ Assemble & Serve

Arrange the roasted potatoes and seared beef bites in a cast iron skillet or dark platter.
Spoon the warm pan sauce over the top. Garnish with a few sprigs of fresh thyme for a fragrant finish.


Serving Suggestions

This dish is lovely with:

  • A crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
  • A glass of bold red wine (think Cabernet or Syrah)
  • Crusty bread to mop up the pan sauce!

Recipe Notes

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Calories per serving: ~520 kcal (approx.)

Photography Tips for Food Bloggers

  • Use a 3:2 or 4:5 aspect ratio for moody plating in cast iron.
  • Highlight textures—glisten on the beef, crisp edges on potatoes, steam from the skillet.
  • Garnish with extra thyme sprigs and cracked black pepper for that “just-served” look.

Rich, rustic, and totally satisfying—these seared beef bites are perfect for cozy nights or casual entertaining.

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