If there’s one dish I could honestly eat every week, it’s Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes. Imagine ultra-tender beef, buttery golden potatoes, and a garlicky herb sauce wafting through your home all day—then gathering everyone around the table for a gloriously rich, satisfying meal. It’s hearty yet simple, elegant enough for guests but homey enough for a busy weeknight, and practically effortless thanks to the magic of the slow cooker. Every bite is savory, velvety, and packed with deep, comforting flavors that keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes is how a handful of simple, honest ingredients can come together for something marvelous. Each component here plays a distinctive role, bringing depth, aroma, richness, and texture—no fillers, just real goodness.
- Beef Stew Meat: Choose well-marbled chunks for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor.
- Baby Potatoes: Halved for perfect bite-sized pieces that soak up all the lovely garlic butter sauce.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is the heart of the sauce, infusing everything with velvety, savory goodness.
- Garlic: Go big and bold here—freshly minced garlic gives that unmistakable aroma and punch.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This unexpected splash adds irresistible umami and a touch of complexity.
- Soy Sauce: Just a bit for saltiness and depth; it helps round out the sauce beautifully.
- Italian Seasoning: Dried herbs bring subtle earthiness and fragrance throughout.
- Onion Powder: For sweet, mellow “backbone” in the flavor profile—you won’t even realize it’s there, but you’d miss it if it was gone.
- Smoked Paprika: A dash of this gives a gentle smokiness and lovely warm color to the dish.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for brightening and balancing every bite—don’t skimp!
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped for a final sprinkle of freshness and a beautiful pop of green right before serving.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
Step 1: Mix the Garlic Butter Marinade
Start by whisking together your melted butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. The fragrance alone will have you swooning at this step! This garlicky blend ensures every morsel of beef and potato is completely coated in deep, delicious flavor as it slow cooks.
Step 2: Load Up the Slow Cooker
Add your beef stew cubes and halved baby potatoes right into your trusty slow cooker. Pour the garlic butter marinade evenly over everything, then gently toss so each piece is glistening and ready to soak up all the goodness. If you want extra decadence, quickly sear the beef cubes in a hot skillet before this step—it locks in flavor and adds gorgeous caramelization.
Step 3: Cook Low and Slow
Pop the lid on and let your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes work their magic! Set to low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours. This slow simmer is the secret to fork-tender beef and creamy, flavorful potatoes. No peeking needed—just let time and gentle heat do the heavy lifting.
Step 4: Finish and Garnish
Just before you’re ready to devour, give everything a good stir to coat well in the buttery juices. Sprinkle with plenty of fresh, chopped parsley right in the slow cooker or at the table. The fresh herbs brighten up every bite and make for a seriously inviting presentation.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of a pretty finish! A generous dusting of fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a touch of garden-fresh flavor. For a little extra flair, scatter on some cracked black pepper or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving—your guests will be wowed before their first bite.
Side Dishes
This dish holds its own beautifully, but if you’d like to fill out the table, try a crisp green salad, honey-glazed carrots, or simple steamed broccoli. The rich sauce begs for something to mop it up too—think crusty bread or a side of buttery noodles. Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes are wonderfully versatile no matter what you pair them with!
Creative Ways to Present
For an appetizer spin, thread the beef and potatoes onto small skewers and serve warm for a crowd-pleasing party platter. Hosting a cozy dinner? Dish them up in individual bowls, letting everyone soak up that delicious sauce. Or try topping with a bit of crumbled feta or blue cheese for an extra layer of flavor. There’s no wrong way to enjoy this classic comfort dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers of Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen as they rest, making every reheat even more delicious. It’s a meal prep hero for busy weeks!
Freezing
If you’re planning ahead, let everything cool completely before transferring to zip-top freezer bags or containers. Label your stash and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating—the sauce keeps everything moist and as flavorful as the day you made it.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of beef broth or water to restore that lovely sauciness. Warm over medium-low heat until steaming, but take care not to overcook the beef. It’ll taste just as cozy and satisfying as when it first left the slow cooker.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely. While stew meat is super convenient and cost-effective, you can substitute chuck roast, sirloin tips, or even trimmed brisket chunks. Just be sure to cut any larger steaks into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and maximum tenderness.
Is it necessary to sear the beef before slow cooking?
Not strictly necessary, but it does add a wonderful depth of flavor and richer color. If you have the time, a quick sear in a hot skillet is worth the extra couple of minutes, but rest assured that the beef will still be plenty flavorful and juicy if you skip this step.
Can I make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap the butter for a high-quality plant-based butter substitute. The dish will still be irresistibly garlicky and savory, just as comforting for those avoiding dairy.
What size slow cooker works best?
A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe; it allows enough space for everything to cook evenly. If you’re scaling up for a larger group, just add extra time and be sure not to overfill the pot—about two-thirds full is the sweet spot for best results.
How do I prevent mushy potatoes?
Use firm baby potatoes (red or gold) and avoid overcooking. Halving them helps them cook evenly alongside the beef without falling apart. If you use larger potatoes, be sure to cut them into equal bite-sized pieces for the same effect.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been longing for a meal that’s easy to make, mouthwateringly flavorful, and guaranteed to please everyone at the table, you can’t go wrong with Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes. Let your slow cooker do its magic and savor every buttery, garlicky, comforting bite—it’s truly a dish you’ll want to return to again and again. Give it a try this week, and don’t forget to share those smiles around the table!
Print
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Tender beef stew meat and baby potatoes cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce in the slow cooker. This easy and delicious dish is perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
For the Beef Bites:
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized chunks)
For the Potatoes:
- 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes (halved)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Mix the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place beef and potatoes in the slow cooker.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the garlic butter mixture over the beef and potatoes. Toss gently to coat.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
- Serve: Stir before serving and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sear the beef cubes before adding to the slow cooker.
- You can use Yukon gold or red potatoes instead of baby potatoes.
- Leftovers reheat well and are great for meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
