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Korean steak bites
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5 from 12 votes

Easy Korean Steak Bites (Stovetop or Air Fryer)

The most tender and flavorful Korean steak bites are cooked on the stovetop or in the air fryer. These juicy steak bites are sweetened with fruit to recreate an authentic bulgogi flavor that's so addicting for kids and adults! 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinating Time2 hours
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Keyword: air fryer steak bites, how to make steak bites
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 378kcal

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb sirloin steak or ribeye, strip steak, or tenderloin
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil or your favorite cooking oil, for stovetop method
  • For garnish: Sesame seeds and chopped green onions omit sesame seeds for AIP

Marinade

  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil or olive oil for AIP
  • 4 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 pitted medjool date OR 2 tsp maple syrup for non-Whole30
  • 1 inch fresh ginger
  • Optional: 2 tsp gochugaru (Korean chili pepper flakes) - omit for AIP

Instructions

  • Cut the steak into 1 inch cubes or bite-sized pieces and place in a resealable bag.
  • Place all ingredients for the marinade in a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pour over the steak, seal the bag, and massage the steak to coat. Place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours to overnight.
  • Remove from fridge and drain the steak. Discard the marinade.

Stovetop Method

  • Heat avocado oil on a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Once the pan is sizzling hot, add the steak pieces in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes.
  • Flip the steak pieces and cook for another 2 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
  • Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

Air Fryer Method

  • Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
  • Add the steak bites to the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to cook them in 2 batches to do this.
  • Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through.
  • Remove from the air fryer once golden brown and cooked through. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

  • I highly recommend marinating these steak bites for at least 2 hours. The meat really needs at least this much time to absorb all the delicious flavors of the marinade!
  • If you are not doing the Whole30, you can replace the Medjool date with 2 tsp of maple syrup to sweeten the bulgogi sauce. Or if you are eating low carb, you can replace it with 2 tsp of monk fruit sweetener.
  • For both the stovetop or air fryer steak bites, cook the meat pieces in a single layer so they cook evenly and yield the best texture. This means you may need to cook the meat in 2 batches for either method.
  • The suggested cooking times will cook the steak bites to medium rare to medium. If you like your steak well done, I would add a few more minutes of cooking time to each method.
  • For extra spice, garnish with red pepper flakes. 

Serving Tips

These Korean steak bites can served alone as an appetizer on toothpicks. However, if you are serving these as a meal, here are some delicious sides to serve them with:
However you serve these juicy and flavorful Korean steak bites, they are guaranteed to be a hit and please even the pickiest eaters!

Storage Tips

Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the leftovers in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or the microwave for 1-2 minutes. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving - makes 4 | Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 792mg | Potassium: 655mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg