Effortless Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe

Crafting mouthwatering slow cooker garlic butter beef bites takes minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor.

Kitchen magic happens when simple ingredients combine effortlessly.

Tender chunks of meat swimming in rich, silky sauce create comfort on a plate.

Busy home cooks appreciate meals that practically prepare themselves.

Every bite promises rich, savory goodness that fills your kitchen with incredible aromas.

Minimal prep means you can toss everything into the slow cooker and walk away.

Your dinner guests will think you’ve spent hours perfecting this delectable dish.

What’s Great About Garlic Butter Beef Bites

• Craft with Minimal Effort: This slow cooker recipe requires simple steps with maximum flavor, perfect for busy home cooks wanting delicious meals without complex techniques.
• Transform Weeknight Dinners: One-pot meal that delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal kitchen cleanup, making family meal preparation stress-free and enjoyable.
• Pack Incredible Flavor Punch: Combining garlic butter sauce with tender beef and potatoes creates a mouthwatering dish that satisfies multiple taste preferences in a single recipe.
• Flexible Meal Preparation: Adaptable cooking methods (low or high temperature settings) allow flexibility for different schedules, making it convenient for various household routines.

Beef Bites and Potatoes Ingredient Breakdown

• Beef Bites: A hearty and flavorful protein that becomes tender and juicy when slow-cooked.

• Baby Potatoes: Creamy and soft potatoes that absorb the delicious garlic butter sauce during cooking.

• Butter, Garlic: A classic combination that creates a rich and aromatic base for the dish.
• Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Thyme, Rosemary: Herbs and spices that add depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the beef and potatoes.

• Beef Broth: Provides moisture and additional savory flavor to the slow-cooked dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing the beef to develop a flavorful crust.
• Fresh Parsley: An optional garnish that adds a pop of color and fresh herb flavor.

Steps for Garlic Butter Beef Bites in Slow Cooker

Step 1: Warm Up the Skillet

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of olive oil. Carefully place beef chunks into the pan, allowing them to sizzle and develop a golden-brown crust.

Gently turn each piece to ensure even browning, which should take about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the beautifully seared beef to the slow cooker.

Step 2: Prepare Potato Companions

Slice baby potatoes in half, creating perfect bite-sized pieces. Nestle these potato halves alongside the beef in the slow cooker, creating a delightful foundation for the meal.

Step 3: Craft the Flavor Bomb Sauce

• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Dried thyme
• Dried rosemary
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk these ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Pour the aromatic sauce over the beef and potatoes, ensuring every morsel gets coated with deliciousness.

Step 4: Add Moisture Magic

Pour beef broth into the slow cooker, which will help tenderize the meat and create a rich, flavorful liquid that will infuse the entire dish with depth and moisture.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let the magic happen.

If using low setting, cook for 6-8 hours. For those short on time, the high setting works in 3-4 hours.

You’ll know it’s ready when the beef becomes meltingly tender and the potatoes are soft and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 6: Plate and Celebrate

Scoop the beef and potatoes onto a serving platter.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve alongside crusty bread, steamed green beans, or a crisp salad to complete this mouthwatering meal.

Best Practices for Garlic Butter Beef and Potatoes

• Brown beef bites quickly in a hot skillet to lock in rich flavors and create a delicious caramelized exterior before slow cooking.
• Cut baby potatoes evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried when possible to amplify the aromatic profile and create more vibrant flavor layers in the dish.
• Add beef broth carefully to prevent the dish from becoming too watery, ensuring a thick and flavorful sauce that coats the meat and potatoes.
• Check beef tenderness around 5-6 hours on low setting to avoid overcooking, which can make the meat tough and dry.

Ways to Change Up Garlic Beef Bites

• Spicy Pepper Blast: Replace smoked paprika with cayenne pepper and add sliced jalapeños for extra heat. Sprinkle red pepper flakes before serving to increase spiciness.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap thyme and rosemary with oregano and basil. Include diced kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Creamy Mushroom Upgrade: Sauté sliced cremini mushrooms before adding to the slow cooker. Mix in 1/2 cup heavy cream during the last hour of cooking for a rich, velvety sauce.

Great Foods with Garlic Butter Beef Bites

• Savor Robust Red Wine Pairing: Choose a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, garlic-infused beef bites, enhancing the dish's deep, savory flavors with its full-bodied character.
• Create Herbaceous Green Side Salad: Toss mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette, fresh herbs like parsley and chives, and toasted pine nuts to provide a bright, zesty contrast to the hearty meat and potatoes.
• Match Creamy Blue Cheese Accompaniment: Crumble tangy blue cheese over the dish or serve as a side spread, which cuts through the richness of the garlic butter and adds a luxurious, creamy texture.

Keeping Garlic Beef and Potatoes Fresh Longer

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring food safety and maintaining flavor.
• Transfer cooled beef and potatoes to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for maximum 2-3 months. Prevent freezer burn by using proper storage techniques.
• Place portions on microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid overheating to prevent toughening the beef.

FAQs

• Why sear the beef before slow cooking?

Searing locks in the meat’s juices and creates a rich, caramelized exterior that adds deep flavor and texture to the final dish.

• Can I use different types of beef for this recipe?

Yes, chuck roast, stew meat, or sirloin tips work well. Choose cuts that are tender and can withstand slow cooking without becoming tough.

• How do I know when the beef is perfectly cooked?

The beef is done when it’s fork-tender and easily pulls apart. This typically happens after 6-8 hours on low heat, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Is it necessary to use fresh herbs?

While fresh herbs provide the best flavor, dried herbs can be substituted. Use about 1/3 of the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh ones to maintain balanced taste.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty slow cooker garlic butter beef bites & potatoes bring comforting flavors straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Tender meat and golden potatoes melt with rich garlic butter, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables:

• 1 pound baby potatoes, halved

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Elevate beef bites to a golden-brown perfection by searing in a skillet over medium-high heat for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, creating a rich caramelized exterior. Transfer the browned morsels to the slow cooker.
2. Nestle halved baby potatoes alongside the beef, ensuring even distribution within the cooking vessel.
3. Craft a robust garlic butter sauce by whisking together melted butter, aromatic minced garlic, zesty onion powder, smoky paprika, earthy thyme, fragrant rosemary, and seasoning to harmonize flavors.
4. Cascade the meticulously prepared sauce over the beef and potatoes, ensuring complete coverage and flavor infusion.
5. Introduce beef broth to the slow cooker, providing essential moisture and depth to the culinary composition.
6. Secure the lid and initiate a low-temperature slow cook for 6-7 hours, alternatively use high setting for 3-4 hours until beef reaches melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and potatoes become fork-soft.
7. Once cooking concludes, gently transfer the succulent beef bites and perfectly cooked potatoes to a serving platter, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley.
8. Complement the dish with crusty artisan bread, vibrant green beans, or a crisp garden salad to create a wholesome, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Sear beef quickly to lock in rich, deep flavors and create a beautiful golden-brown exterior that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Use high-quality beef cuts like chuck roast or sirloin for maximum tenderness and juiciness during slow cooking.
• Adjust cooking time based on meat thickness and desired doneness, with thinner cuts requiring less time to prevent becoming tough or dry.
• Customize spice blend by experimenting with different herbs like oregano, sage, or marjoram to match personal taste preferences and create unique flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 316 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 388 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg