Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
If you’re on the lookout for a comforting dish that combines tender, flavorful beef with perfectly cooked potatoes, you’ve come to the right place. The Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe is a complete game-changer for weeknight dinners or lazy weekend meals. Imagine juicy beef chunks soaked in rich, garlicky butter sauce, paired with soft, buttery potatoes that soak up every bit of flavor. This recipe brings out the best of simple ingredients, slowly cooked to perfection, resulting in a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe is delightfully straightforward. Each item plays a critical role, from seasoning to texture, making this dish both simple and extraordinary.
- Beef stew meat (2 pounds): Choose good-quality stew meat for tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites.
- Baby Yukon gold potatoes (1½ pounds): Their creamy texture and thin skin make them perfect for slow cooking.
- Onion powder (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle sweetness and depth without overpowering the dish.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Enhances the garlicky flavor that defines this recipe.
- Seasoned salt (2 teaspoons): Balances the flavors with a hint of savory seasoning.
- Chopped garlic (1 tablespoon): Fresh garlic is essential for that irresistible aromatic punch.
- Butter (5 tablespoons, cut into pads): Brings richness and helps keep the meat and potatoes luscious and moist.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Start by generously spraying the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. This step ensures that nothing sticks to the bottom, making cleanup a breeze and keeping your beef bites and potatoes whole and beautiful.
Step 2: Add Ingredients
Place the beef stew meat on one side of the slow cooker, and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other side. This separation helps the flavors shine individually while still melding during cooking. Afterward, evenly sprinkle the onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt over both the meat and potatoes to set the savory base for the dish.
Step 3: Toss the Beef Bites
Give your beef bites a gentle toss to coat them evenly with the seasonings—not mixing with the potatoes just yet—to ensure every juicy piece is packed with flavor.
Step 4: Add Garlic and Butter
Distribute the freshly chopped garlic evenly over both the beef and potatoes. Then lay the butter pads on top, positioned so they will slowly melt into the meat and potatoes during cooking, creating a velvety garlic butter sauce that ties everything together.
Step 5: Cook
Cover your slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on LOW for 6 hours. This slow, steady cooking time is key to achieving that coveted fall-apart tenderness in the beef and perfectly tender potatoes that soak up all the delicious juices.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese adds a lovely finish and a burst of color that complements the rich, buttery flavors of the dish perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe is hearty on its own, but if you want something extra, a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal vegetables provide a fresh contrast that balances the rich garlic butter sauce beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the beef bites and potatoes over creamy mashed cauliflower or alongside buttered noodles. You could also plate it in individual ramekins for a charming presentation that’s perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making them perfect for next-day lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers by placing cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the tender texture of the beef and potatoes.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a touch of water or beef broth if needed to keep the dish moist and flavorful.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes?
Yes! While baby Yukon gold potatoes work beautifully for their creamy texture and thin skin, red potatoes or fingerling potatoes are excellent alternatives that will also absorb the garlic butter sauce nicely.
Is it necessary to separate the beef and potatoes in the slow cooker?
Separating the beef and potatoes helps to ensure each cooks at the right pace and allows the seasonings to coat them evenly without mixing flavors too early. This simple step really enhances the final texture and taste.
Can I make this recipe without butter?
Butter is essential here for that rich, velvety flavor, but if you need a substitute, olive oil is a decent alternative. However, it won’t deliver the exact same creamy texture that butter brings.
How long does it take to cook on high in the slow cooker?
If you’re short on time, you can cook this dish on high for about 3-4 hours, but the best results come from the low and slow method, which guarantees tender beef and perfectly cooked potatoes.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped carrots, celery, or green beans can be great additions. Just add them about halfway through cooking to prevent over-softening.
Final Thoughts
I can’t say enough good things about the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe—it’s truly a fuss-free, crave-worthy meal that never fails to impress. Whether you’re feeding the family or craving some serious comfort food, this recipe delivers flavor and tenderness that will make it a go-to in your rotation. Do yourself a favor and give it a try; your taste buds will thank you!
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for easy weeknight dinners. Tender beef stew meat cooks low and slow alongside baby Yukon gold potatoes, infused with garlic, butter, and savory seasonings to create a rich, melt-in-your-mouth dish.
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1½ pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
Other
- 5 tablespoons butter, cut into pads
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Add Ingredients: Place the beef stew meat on one side of the slow cooker and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other side. Sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt evenly over both the meat and potatoes. Gently toss the beef bites to coat well with the seasonings, ensuring it remains separate from the potatoes.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Distribute the chopped garlic evenly over both the beef and potatoes. Place the butter pads on top of the ingredients to melt throughout the long cooking process, adding rich flavor.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 hours, or until the beef is fall-apart tender and the potatoes are fully cooked.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot, drizzling the garlic butter sauce that has accumulated over the beef and potatoes. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use baby Yukon gold potatoes for the best texture and flavor, but red or fingerling potatoes also work.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or a vegan butter alternative.
- Seasoned salt contains salt and other spices, so adjust additional salt accordingly to suit taste.
- Feel free to add chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for more aromatic depth.
- To speed up cooking, use the HIGH setting and cook for about 3-4 hours, but LOW for 6 hours yields more tender results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
