When the cooler months roll in, there’s nothing like a hearty dish that fills your home with the cozy aroma of garlic and herbs. That’s exactly what these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes deliver. Tender, juicy beef paired with buttery baby potatoes and a garlicky sauce—it’s the kind of recipe that practically cooks itself while you go about your busy day.
As a mom of three, I can’t tell you how many times a recipe like this has saved dinner time in my house. The kids walk in, smell the garlic butter wafting from the slow cooker, and suddenly no one’s complaining about what’s for dinner.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- Hands-off cooking: Prep in 15 minutes, then let your slow cooker do the magic.
- Family-approved: Even picky eaters love these buttery bites.
- Budget-friendly: Uses affordable beef stew meat and pantry staples.
- Comfort food at its best: Warm, hearty, and satisfying after a long day.
What Does Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Taste Like?
Imagine fork-tender beef that’s been seared to lock in flavor, slow-simmered in a garlicky butter sauce, and paired with soft, golden potatoes. Each bite is savory, rich, and full of homestyle comfort. The garlic infuses everything without being overpowering, while the butter brings a silky depth you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
The beauty of Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is that it uses simple, affordable ingredients you can find in just about any grocery store. Nothing fancy here—just fresh, flavorful basics that come together into the kind of meal that feels like a hug on a plate. Let’s break it down:
- Beef Stew Meat (2 lbs, cubed): The star of the show. Look for well-marbled cuts like chuck roast or stew beef, which become melt-in-your-mouth tender after hours in the slow cooker. If you love beef recipes, you might also enjoy my Crockpot Beef Stroganoff, which uses a similar cut.
- Baby Potatoes (1 lb, halved or quartered): These little gems soak up all the garlicky butter sauce and practically burst with flavor. Yukon golds or red potatoes are best since they hold their shape well during long cooking.
- Unsalted Butter (4 tbsp): Butter makes everything better, especially when it mingles with garlic and herbs. Using unsalted gives you full control over the seasoning.
- Fresh Garlic (6 cloves, minced): Garlic isn’t just an ingredient here—it’s the flavor foundation. Freshly minced cloves add a depth that jarred versions just can’t quite match.
- Beef Broth (½ cup): Keeps everything juicy and flavorful. Low-sodium broth is a great option if you want to adjust salt levels later.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 tbsp): That tangy, umami punch that makes the beef taste even beefier.
- Dried Thyme (1 tsp) & Dried Rosemary (1 tsp): These earthy herbs balance out the richness of the butter and garlic. If you’ve got fresh sprigs on hand, feel free to use them!
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste): Seasoning essentials. Don’t skip salting the beef before searing—it makes a big difference.
- Olive Oil (2 tbsp): For searing the beef cubes to golden perfection before they head into the slow cooker.
- Fresh Parsley (for garnish): That final sprinkle of green not only makes the dish look beautiful but also adds a bright, fresh note to balance the richness.
With just these pantry-friendly ingredients, you’ll have everything you need to create a hearty, flavorful dish that tastes like it simmered all day—because it did!
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes (Step by Step)
Making Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is easier than you might think—it just takes a little prep work at the start, and then your slow cooker takes over. Think of this as your hands-off ticket to a cozy, flavorful dinner. Let’s walk through it step by step:
Step 1: Sear the Beef for Flavor
Start with the beef. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. While that warms, season your beef cubes generously with salt and black pepper. This little step makes a world of difference later.
- Place a batch of the beef cubes in the skillet (don’t crowd the pan).
- Sear each side for about 2–3 minutes until nicely browned.
- Transfer the seared beef straight into your slow cooker.
Why sear first? It builds that deep, savory flavor you just can’t get from tossing raw beef straight in. If you’ve ever made my Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli, you’ll know the browning step is what takes the dish from good to great.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Using the same skillet (don’t wash it—those browned bits are gold), melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Stir in minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it—burnt garlic tastes bitter.
- Pour in ½ cup beef broth and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those little browned bits stuck to the pan. That’s where the flavor hides.
- Add dried thyme and rosemary, stirring them into the sauce.
Now, carefully pour this garlicky, buttery mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Add the Potatoes
Next up, the potatoes. Toss in your baby potatoes (halved or quartered) and stir gently so they’re coated in the buttery broth. They’ll absorb all that flavor as they slow cook.
Step 4: Butter on Top
Take the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and place them in small pats over the beef and potatoes. This will melt slowly during cooking, making everything rich and delicious.
Step 5: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Cover your slow cooker with the lid.
- Cook on low for 6–7 hours if you want that fall-apart tenderness.
- Or cook on high for 3–4 hours if you’re short on time.
Either way, by the end you’ll have tender beef and buttery potatoes swimming in a garlicky sauce that smells incredible.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
Before serving, give the dish a taste. Add extra salt or pepper if you think it needs it. Remember, seasoning is personal—this is your dinner, after all.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top. It brightens everything up and makes the dish look as good as it tastes. Serve warm, straight from the slow cooker, and enjoy your hearty, home-cooked meal.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- Don’t skip searing: It locks in flavor and gives the beef a golden crust.
- Use baby Yukon golds or red potatoes: They hold up well in the slow cooker.
- Garlic tip: Fresh is best, but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
- Add veggies: Toss in carrots or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Storage bonus: This dish tastes even better the next day—hello leftovers!
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes! Chuck roast or sirloin tips work beautifully here.
Can I make this recipe without searing the beef?
You can, but searing adds depth of flavor that makes a big difference.
Can I add more garlic?
Of course—if you’re a garlic lover, double it!
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, just make sure your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.
Conclusion
These Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes are everything you want in a family meal: rich, flavorful, and comforting without requiring you to hover over the stove. It’s the kind of dish that makes weeknights easier and weekends cozier. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become one of your go-to slow cooker dinners.
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes – Easy & Amazing
- Total Time: 7-8 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Hearty and flavorful slow cooker garlic butter beef bites with tender baby potatoes, all simmered in a rich garlic herb sauce.
Ingredients
2 lbs (900g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 lb (450g) baby potatoes, halved or quartered if large
4 tbsp unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes on each side until browned. Transfer to slow cooker.
3. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Scrape up browned bits and stir in thyme and rosemary.
5. Pour garlic butter mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
6. Add halved baby potatoes and toss everything to coat well.
7. Place remaining 2 tablespoons of butter on top of beef and potatoes.
8. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Searing the beef first adds extra flavor and texture to the final dish.
Cut larger baby potatoes to ensure even cooking.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or warm dinner rolls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: slow cooker, beef, garlic butter, potatoes, comfort food
