Espetada (Garlic-Butter Dripping Goodness) in Just 20 Minutes!
If you’ve been around here before, you might remember our Espetada drenched in garlic butter. Yup, that glorious skewer of melt-in-your-mouth beef with chips and onion rings on the side. Well, guess what? We’re doing it again—but this time we make Espetada (Garlic-Butter Dripping Goodness) with chips and these flat green beans (I never remember their official name (snow peas 🤷♀️)—someone help us out, please!). And we’re trying a super quick, simplified version that can be ready in just 20 minutes. Let’s go!
Quick & Easy way to make C? (Yes, Please!)
Okay, so before the traditionalists come for us with skewers in hand (pun intended) 😂, we know this isn’t the “proper Portuguese way” to make Espetada. For that, you’d need a real open flame, coarse salt, a sprinkle of bay leaves, and all the fun of standing around the fire inhaling the deliciousness—exactly how I remember it back home at the Portuguese Club in Klerksdorp (still the best Espetada I’ve ever tasted, hands down).
But hey, sometimes you just need a date night dinner that’s fun, fast, and still bursting with garlicky, buttery flavor. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need
- Let’s Cook This in 20 Minutes (Seriously!)
- Finishing Touches (and Date Night Vibes)
- Final Thoughts
- Looking for More Date Night Inspiration?
Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need
- 1kg Beef (we grabbed “Render Fleisch” at our local Turkish butchery and cut it into cubes at home)
- Butter (at least a few tablespoons, plus extra for frying)
- Garlic (finely chopped, or feel free to cheat with garlic paste)
- Salt & Pepper (go heavy on this, trust me)
- Flat Green Beans “Zuckererbsen” is what thy call them here in Germany 🤷♀️ (or your fave veggies if you can’t find these)
- Chips (we used an air fryer for these; oven-baked or deep-fried also works)
- Skewers (the type that can hang and drip butter all over!)
- Foil (we’ll make a little “butter bubble” to drizzle that goodness)
Amazon Date Night Essentials
Skewer Holder – Here is a good option as a skewer holder (instead of making your own).
Air Fryer – Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone (this is a legit air fryer!)
Let’s Cook This in 20 Minutes (Seriously!)
- Prep the Meat to make the Espetada:
- Cut your beef into cubes (about 1-inch pieces). Season with lots of salt and pepper. We mean it—go to town with that seasoning.
- Sear the Beef:
- Heat a pan (we used one glazed with butter—because #ButteryLife) on medium-high.
- Drop in the seasoned beef cubes.
- Let them sizzle away. Aim for about 8–10 minutes total, depending on how you like it done. (You know how it is: we try to cook it to “perfect,” but that sometimes ends up medium-well… or well… or, well, questionable. C’est la vie!)
- Garlic Butter Green Beans:
- While the beef is cooking, toss your green beans in another pan with a bit of garlic and butter.
- Let them fry up until they get a little color, about 8–10 minutes as well.
- Chips in the Air Fryer:
- At around the 10-minute mark, pop your chips into the air fryer. Ours usually take about 10–12 minutes to get golden and crispy, but yours might vary. Keep an eye on ‘em!
- Garlic-Butter Foil “Bubble”:
- On a large piece of foil, place a spoonful of butter and a clove (or two) of finely chopped garlic.
- Form a “bubble” by pulling up the foil sides and twisting them closed. Make sure there’s some space inside for steam.
- Pop this foil packet into the pan (briefly) just to melt the butter and get the garlic sizzling.
- Skewering Time:
- Grab your skewer.
- Gently poke it through the foil bubble (near the top) so that the butter can slowly drip out once it’s hung vertically.
- Slide on a piece of beef right underneath to create a sort of “stopper” for the butter.
- Continue adding the rest of your beef cubes until the skewer is loaded.
- The Grand Drip:
- Hang the skewer over your plate (we used a little hanger contraption, but any method that keeps it upright will do).
- Place the chips and green beans underneath the skewer.
- Watch as the butter drips its way through the meat, bathing each cube in garlicky magic before finally landing on your chips. Cue the drool.
Finishing Touches (and Date Night Vibes)
Turn on the TV fireplace (or if you’ve got a real fireplace, you lucky thing, use that!). Alexa’s playing your favorite romantic tunes, the wine glasses are filled with a delicious red (or white if that’s your preference), and you’re about to dig into a sizzling, savory Espetada-style meal—all without spending hours at the grill.
Pro Tip: If you find you need more sauce, just melt an extra bit of butter and garlic in a small saucepan (or the same pan you used for the meat). Drizzle over the skewers or directly onto your chips.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t the traditional Portuguese way to make Espetada cooked over an open flame with coarse salt and bay leaves, like the ones you’d find at a proper Portuguese feast. But it’s a quick, tasty nod to that classic recipe, perfect for recreating the flavors of a special night out—right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether you’re reminiscing about vacations, family gatherings, or just looking for something fun and flavorful to try, this garlicky, buttery skewer has got you covered. Perfect for a cozy weeknight or a romantic date night with a little extra flair!
Got any questions about the cut of beef or which beans to use? Drop them below or send us a message. We’d love to chat all things food and date nights. Cheers to a simple yet delicious way to make Espetada in under 20 minutes!
Looking for More Date Night Inspiration?
- How to Make Red Curry Coconut Ramen in Just 20min – Spicy, creamy, and oh-so-easy.
- Espetada Drenched in Garlic Butter – Our OG version that started it all.
Happy Cooking & Bon Appétit!
Stay cozy, stay romantic, and remember to treat yourselves—even if it’s just for 20 minutes in the kitchen.
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And if you are in the mood to learn German, take look at a new website we started… its still a work in progress 😜 i made some simple games that teaches you German…
