When life gets busy, there's nothing quite like a meal that practically cooks itself while filling your home with an irresistible aroma. Our Irresistible Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe is exactly that – a hands-off wonder that delivers tender, savory beef and perfectly cooked potatoes drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce.
This dish is the epitome of comfort food convenience, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal. Whether you're juggling work, family, or just craving a cozy dinner without the fuss, your slow cooker is about to become your best friend.
Why You'll Adore This Slow Cooker Sensation
This recipe isn't just easy; it's a testament to the magic of slow cooking, offering a bounty of benefits:
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: A few minutes of prep in the morning means you come home to a fully cooked, incredibly flavorful dinner.
- Fall-Apart Tenderness: The low and slow cooking method ensures that even tougher cuts of beef become melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- A Complete Meal in One Pot: Beef and potatoes cook together, absorbing all the wonderful juices and flavors, making cleanup a breeze.
- Customizable Comfort: Easily adjust herbs and spices to suit your family's taste, or add extra vegetables like carrots and celery for more goodness.
Get ready to simplify your dinner routine and delight your taste buds with this hearty slow cooker dish!
Gather Your Simple Ingredients
One of the beauties of this recipe is its reliance on readily available ingredients. You likely have most of these in your pantry already!
How to Master Your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
Creating this flavorful meal is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time:
Tips for the Perfect Pot
- Don't Peek! Resist the urge to lift the slow cooker lid during cooking. Each time you do, heat escapes, and it can significantly extend the cooking time.
- Sear for Extra Flavor (Optional but Recommended): For a deeper, more complex flavor, quickly sear your beef cubes in a hot pan with a little oil before adding them to the slow cooker. This creates a beautiful crust and locks in juices.
- Herb Power: Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme can elevate the dish even further. Stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a vibrant aroma and taste. For another hearty and easy slow cooker meal, consider trying our Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole: Your New Go-To Comfort Food.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This dish is wonderfully robust on its own, offering a complete meal. However, a few additions can make it even more special:
- A light, fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette for contrast.
- Steamed green beans or asparagus add a touch of vibrant color and extra nutrition.
- Crusty bread is a must for soaking up every last drop of that amazing garlic butter sauce!
Looking for more beef-centric ideas? Our Speedy Beef Stir Fry with Noodles & Irresistible Sticky Garlic-Ginger Sauce offers a quicker, equally delicious option. For general slow cooker expertise and more recipes, check out Serious Eats' guide to slow cooker cooking.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which is a big 'if'!), they're just as delicious the next day:
- Storage: Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 2-3 months. Ensure it's in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave. For larger amounts, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce needs thinning.
We're confident that these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes will become a staple in your meal rotation, bringing warmth, flavor, and ease to your table. Enjoy every delicious bite!
FAQs
Can I use different types of potatoes for this slow cooker recipe?
Yes, baby potatoes are excellent, but you can also use Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Just ensure they are cut into uniform 1-1.5 inch pieces to ensure even cooking and tenderness alongside the beef bites.
What cut of beef is best for slow cooker beef bites?
Beef stew meat, chuck roast, or even top round, cut into 1-inch cubes, work wonderfully. These cuts become incredibly tender and flavorful during the long, slow cooking process.
How can I thicken the garlic butter sauce?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the cooked beef and potatoes at the end. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the liquid in the slow cooker and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until desired thickness is reached.
Can I prepare this meal ahead of time for busy days?
Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic for meal prep. You can combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate. In the morning, simply place the insert into the slow cooker and begin cooking, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if starting from cold.
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Meat-based
Description
Tender beef bites and baby potatoes simmered to perfection in a rich, savory garlic butter sauce, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 lbs baby potatoes, halved or quartered
8-10 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss the beef with onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Step 2: Place the seasoned beef cubes and the halved or quartered baby potatoes into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and beef broth.
Step 4: Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the beef and potatoes in the slow cooker. Stir gently to ensure all ingredients are coated.
Step 5: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are soft.
Step 6: Once cooked, stir the contents gently. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
For an even richer flavor, consider searing the beef cubes in a hot pan for a few minutes before adding them to the slow cooker. This step creates a delicious crust and locks in more savory juices. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious garlic butter sauce!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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