Easy Sirloin Steak Tips (Tender, Juicy, 4 Ingredients)

This easy sirloin steak tips recipe is one of the fastest ways to get tender, juicy steak on the table without a complicated marinade or expensive cuts of beef. Made with just a few simple ingredients, these steak bites cook quickly in a hot skillet and come out perfectly browned every time.

If you’ve ever struggled with tough or overcooked steak tips, this method solves that. With the right cut, high heat, and a simple seasoning, you’ll get flavorful, restaurant-quality steak tips at home in under 30 minutes.

Jump to:

• Easy Sirloin Steak Tips Recipe
• What are steak tips?
• Why you’ll love this recipe
• Ingredients for Sirloin Steak Tips
• How to cook sirloin steak tips (skillet method)
• How to cook steak bites in the air fryer
• Steak doneness guide
• Expert tips for perfect steak bites
• How to make steak tips tender
• Frequently asked questions
• How to store and reheat leftovers
• What to serve with steak tips
• Easy Sirloin Steak Tips (Tender, Juicy, and Flavorful)
• ???? Comments

Easy Sirloin Steak Tips Recipe

This Sirloin Steak Tips Recipe will be a staple in your house for years to come.  My family requests this recipe at least once a week because it's their favorite way to eat steak.  It is so easy, so I happily oblige!  I love to serve them with cauliflower Mac and cheese, Keto coleslaw, or Loaded cauliflower rice casserole.

This recipe uses sirloin, but some other options would be ribeye steak or beef tenderloin (filet mignon), but I would not use such high-quality meat for this recipe. I think sirloin would be the best because it's still a good quality steak but not as expensive. You're the boss, so use whatever tender beef you want!

What are steak tips?

Steak tips are bite-sized pieces of beef, most commonly cut from sirloin steak. They are known for being flavorful, affordable, and quick to cook compared to larger cuts like ribeye or strip steak.

Sirloin is the best choice for steak tips because it stays tender when cooked quickly over high heat, making it perfect for skillet cooking.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Uses only a few simple ingredients
• Ready in about 30 minutes
• Tender and juicy every time
• Perfect for meal prep or quick dinners
• Works in a skillet or air fryer

Ingredients for Sirloin Steak Tips

You only need a few simple ingredients to make tender, flavorful sirloin steak tips. This quick marinade enhances the natural beef flavor without overpowering it.

With just four ingredients (plus salt and pepper), this recipe keeps things simple so the steak shines. See the recipe card below for exact measurements and gluten-free options.

• 2-3 pounds Sirloin steak - I wouldn't go with a cheaper cut for this recipe.  This steak is cooked quickly, so you need a tender cut of beef.  Something cheaper will usually be tougher to chew (definitely skip stew meat!).  We want tender steak bites!  More expensive cuts of steak would be good, like a New York strip steak, ribeye steak, or filet mignon...but I'm not sure I would turn that beautiful meat into steak tips.
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce - This sauce is commonly used on beef, and it brings out the beefy flavor of the sirloin and tenderizes the meat while it marinates for a bit. Note: Some Worcestershire sauces are not gluten-free, so check your labels if this is a requirement for you.
• ½ teaspoon Garlic powder - To give these steak bites a nice garlic flavor, but not too much.  I prefer a powder over fresh garlic so it sticks to the meat and seasons it well.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt - If you use less coarse salt, like table salt, you will need half the amount.
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper - freshly ground is preferred
• 2 tablespoons oil - You need a high heat cooking oil such as avocado oil.  I like to use avocado oil for high-heat cooking so it doesn't smoke.  You could also use vegetable oil or canola oil.  I would not recommend butter or olive oil, as it burns quickly.

How to cook sirloin steak tips (skillet method)

Step 1 - Use a sharp knife to cut the sirloin steak into bite-sized pieces (about 1 to 1.5 inches).  You don't have to worry about slicing against the grain because we are cutting these into cubes.  Transfer the steak to a medium size mixing bowl.

Step 2 - Season the steak tips with the marinade ingredients.  Toss with tongs to coat the steak well with the marinade.  Let marinate for 15-30 minutes. For great flavor, marinate for up to 24 hours.

Step 3 - These steak bites must be cooked at high temperatures for the best results. Heat a large skillet over high heat.  When the skillet is hot, pour in the oil.

Note: You will want to use a large heavy pan, such as a cast iron skillet, to get maximum browning on your steak bites without overcooking.

Step 4 - Carefully add the sirloin tips to the hot skillet in a single layer.  If your skillet is large enough, you may be able to fit all of the meat, but do not crowd the pan, or else they will steam, and there is a good chance they will not get golden brown.  You may need to cook these in batches.  

Stir the steak every 30 seconds to 1 minute to ensure it is evenly cooked on all sides.  Let cook for 4-5 minutes.  Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon or tongs to a serving dish.  Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Note: If you want to ensure your steak bites cook to a specific internal temperature like rare or medium-rare, you can use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted in the center of the steak pieces. Check after cooking for 3-4 minutes.

How to cook steak bites in the air fryer

• Cut and marinate the steak just as we did above.  Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200C) for 5 minutes.  Add the steak to the basket and cook for 4-6 minutes, depending on how you like the doneness of your steak.
• Check out my recipe for air fryer steak bites and mushrooms!

Steak doneness guide

To check for doneness, insert an internal meat probe thermometer halfway through the center of the steak tips to get a temperature read. This helps you cook steak tips exactly how you like them.

• Rare: 120–125°F
• Medium rare: 130–135°F
• Medium: 140–145°F
• Medium well: 150–155°F
• Well done: 160°F

Expert tips for perfect steak bites

• Bite-sized pieces of sirloin steak are great, but don't make them too small, or they will overcook before they get brown.
• Make sure your pan is nice and hot before adding the oil.
• Don't overcrowd your cast iron pan while cooking.  This will result in steamed steak instead of giving you delicious steak tips with a nice brown crust.  Brown food tastes good!
• Letting the beef tips marinate for at least 15 minutes adds to the flavor and also adds to the tenderness! You can also let them marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

How to make steak tips tender

The key to tender steak tips is using the right cut of beef and cooking it properly.

• Use sirloin or another tender cut of steak
• Cut into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate
• Cook over high heat for a short time
• Do not overcrowd the pan
• Let the steak rest before serving

Following these steps helps prevent tough or chewy steak.

Frequently asked questions

How to store and reheat leftovers

• Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat leftover steak tips in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until warmed through, being careful not to overcook so they stay tender.
  • Microwave - reheat steak tips in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Cover with a damp paper towel to help prevent them from drying out.
  • Air fryer - reheat steak tips in the air fryer at 350°F (176C) for 2–3 minutes, just until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook, as they can dry out quickly.

What to serve with steak tips

My personal favorite is served with barbecue sauce and a side of keto coleslaw. I like to make a double batch to have enough for meal prep.

• Cauliflower mac and cheese
• Roasted vegetables
• Salad
• Coleslaw - This version uses pickle juice for a little twist!
• Sautéed mushrooms and onions