Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak Bites with Gravy
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak Bites with Gravy
These copycat Texas Roadhouse steak bites with gravy taste exactly like the restaurant — tender seared sirloin bites smothered in a rich, savory brown gravy with sautéed mushrooms and onions. Ready in 25 minutes on one pan, and every bit as satisfying as driving to the restaurant but without the wait.
Why This Copycat Recipe Works
Texas Roadhouse’s steak bites hit three notes: perfectly seared crust, juicy tender interior, and a deeply flavored brown gravy. The key is using sirloin (not stew meat), getting the pan screaming hot, and not crowding the pan so the beef sears instead of steams.
- Sirloin steak — the same cut Texas Roadhouse uses
- High heat sear — 2 minutes per side = perfect crust with juicy center
- Real brown gravy — made from the pan drippings (no packet)
- 25 minutes start to finish
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (680g) sirloin steak, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup (70g) button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
For the brown gravy:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480ml) beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Texas Roadhouse Steak Bites
Step 1 — Season and dry the beef. Pat sirloin cubes completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, coarse black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Dry beef = better sear.
Step 2 — Sear in batches. Heat butter and olive oil in a large heavy skillet (cast iron preferred) over high heat until smoking. Add beef in a single layer — do NOT crowd the pan. Sear 2 minutes without moving, flip, sear 1 more minute. Remove and repeat in batches. Don’t overcook — the insides should still be pink at this stage.
Step 3 — Sauté mushrooms and onions. In the same pan (don’t clean it), reduce heat to medium. Add butter and cook mushrooms and onions for 5–6 minutes until golden and soft. Add garlic, cook 1 minute.
Step 4 — Make the brown gravy. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute. Pour in beef broth gradually, whisking to prevent lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened to a pourable gravy consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 5 — Finish and serve. Return the steak bites to the pan. Stir gently to coat with gravy, cook 1 minute just to warm through. Serve immediately over mashed potatoes with extra gravy spooned on top.
Serving Suggestions
- Mashed potatoes — the classic Texas Roadhouse way
- Texas toast — garlic butter toasted bread to soak up the gravy
- Egg noodles — similar to beef stroganoff style
- Rice — white or brown both work
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of steak does Texas Roadhouse use for steak bites?
Texas Roadhouse uses sirloin for their beef tips. Sirloin is flavorful, affordable, and stays tender with a quick sear. Avoid stew beef — it needs long braising and will be tough with this quick-sear method.
Can I make Texas Roadhouse steak bites without mushrooms?
Yes — skip the mushrooms and double the onions, or skip both and go straight to the gravy. The dish is still excellent with just onions in the brown gravy.
Can I make the gravy without flour (gluten-free)?
Yes — use 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (a slurry) added to the simmering broth instead of flour. It thickens just as well and the gravy will be glossier.
How do I keep steak bites tender?
Three rules: dry the beef completely before cooking, sear at very high heat quickly (don’t boil it in its own juices), and don’t overcook. Medium-rare to medium is perfect — the bites continue cooking slightly when returned to the hot gravy.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Ribeye works (more tender, more expensive). Flank steak or skirt steak work if sliced against the grain. Chuck steak does not work with this method — it needs low-and-slow cooking to tenderize.
Can I make these steak bites ahead for meal prep?
The gravy holds well in the fridge for 3 days. The steak is best fresh (reheating tends to toughen it). For meal prep, keep steak and gravy separate — warm gravy first, then add steak to warm through for just 1 minute.
What’s in Texas Roadhouse beef tips sauce?
It’s a classic brown gravy: beef broth, butter, flour as a roux base, Worcestershire sauce for depth, and mushrooms and onions for flavor. No cream, no tomato — straightforward savory brown gravy.
Can I make steak bites in an air fryer?
Yes for the steak bites — cook at 400°F for 6–8 minutes for medium. Make the gravy separately on the stovetop. Combine to serve.
Indulge in Texas Roadhouse Steak Bites with Savory Gravy
Enjoy tender steak bites smothered in a rich and savory gravy with this Texas Roadhouse-inspired dish. Perfect for both casual meals and special occasions, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions
- In a bowl, season beef sirloin steak pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Dredge the seasoned steak bites in flour, shaking off any excess.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add the steak bites in a single layer. Cook until browned on all sides, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sprinkle in some additional flour to create a roux. Cook the roux until golden brown.
- Gradually whisk in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens.
- Return the seared steak bites to the skillet, coating them in the savory gravy. Simmer for a few minutes until the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Serve the steak bites and gravy hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness.
