Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker Recipe
If you’re craving a hearty, melt-in-your-mouth dinner that practically cooks itself, the Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker Recipe is the perfect answer to your kitchen prayers. This dish brings together tender beef stew meat nestled alongside buttery baby Yukon gold potatoes, all infused with rich garlic flavor and velvety butter goodness. The slow cooker turns simple ingredients into a comforting, fall-apart delight that tastes like it took hours of effort—without you needing to hover over the stove. Trust me, once you try this, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to meals for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simplicity, using just a handful of carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a starring role: the beef brings hearty flavor and satisfying texture, the Yukon gold potatoes add creaminess and a subtle sweetness, and the garlic and butter marry everything with that irresistible richness and aroma.
- 2 pounds beef stew meat: Choose well-marbled cuts to ensure juicy, tender bites after slow cooking.
- 1 tablespoon onion powder: Adds a gentle depth of savory sweetness throughout the dish.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Enhances the fresh garlic’s flavor and infuses the meat evenly.
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt: A balanced seasoning to bring out the best in both beef and potatoes.
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped: Fresh garlic is essential for that bold, aromatic punch.
- 5 tablespoons butter, cut into pads: Adds luscious richness and helps keep the beef and potatoes tender.
- 1 1/2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes: Their creamy texture and golden color elevate the dish’s comfort food appeal.
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by gathering your ingredients and giving everything a quick prep. This means chopping the garlic and ensuring your baby potatoes are washed, but they don’t need peeling. Keeping your ingredients ready helps the cooking go smoothly, setting the stage for that wonderfully simple layering of flavors.
Step 2: Place Beef and Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
Arrange the beef stew meat on one half of the slow cooker insert, and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other half. This separation helps each component cook perfectly, allowing the beef to tenderize without overcooking the potatoes, ensuring delicious textures in every bite.
Step 3: Season Generously
Sprinkle the beef and potatoes evenly with onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt. These dry seasonings work their magic during the slow cooking, infusing the meat and potatoes with layers of savory goodness that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Step 4: Toss the Beef to Coat Evenly
Give the beef a gentle toss on its side of the slow cooker to make sure every piece is coated with the seasoning. This helps all the flavors penetrate the meat evenly without mixing the potatoes yet, helping to keep each element distinct but perfectly flavored.
Step 5: Add Fresh Garlic and Butter
Sprinkle the chopped fresh garlic over the beef and potatoes, then tuck the pats of butter over the top. As the butter melts during cooking, it will create a gorgeous, rich sauce that seeps into all the ingredients, bringing that warm, garlicky buttery love to every bite.
Step 6: Cook Low and Slow
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow and gentle cooking process breaks down the beef into tender, juicy bites while the potatoes become soft but not mushy, soaking up all the flavorful juices for a truly soul-satisfying meal.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives added just before serving brighten the dish with a pop of color and fresh aroma that complements the butter and garlic. A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper can also add a little extra kick and complexity to the flavors.
Side Dishes
This is a complete, hearty meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, a simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some steamed green beans adds a crisp, refreshing contrast. A crusty piece of bread is also perfect to soak up the delicious buttery sauce left in the slow cooker.
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra special touch, serve the garlic butter beef bites over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to turn it into a full-on feast. Alternatively, loading the beef and potatoes onto a warm toasted baguette makes a decadent sandwich with minimal effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover garlic butter beef bites in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and flavorful for 3 to 4 days, making them a great option for easy lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
If you want to stash this delicious dish for longer, it freezes well. Portion the beef and potatoes into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Just be sure to cool completely before freezing.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or in a skillet on low heat to prevent the beef from drying out. Adding a tiny splash of beef broth or a pat of butter during reheating will help restore that luscious sauce and keep everything moist.
FAQs
Can I use other types of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While stew meat is ideal for slow cooking due to its tenderness after long cooking, you can use chuck roast cut into chunks or other slow cooker-friendly cuts. Just make sure the beef has some marbling for flavor.
Is it necessary to keep the potatoes separate from the beef in the slow cooker?
Yes, separating them helps both components cook evenly—the beef becomes wonderfully tender while the potatoes maintain their shape without becoming mushy.
Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, you can double or even triple the ingredients, but make sure not to overfill your slow cooker. Cook in batches if needed for best results.
What if I don’t have seasoned salt—what can I use instead?
If you don’t have seasoned salt, a mixture of regular salt, a pinch of paprika, and a tiny bit of garlic powder works perfectly as a substitute to maintain the balanced seasoning.
Can I add vegetables like carrots or mushrooms to this dish?
Certainly! Adding hearty vegetables like carrots works great if placed with the potatoes. Mushrooms can be added too but note they release moisture, which might slightly alter the sauce’s texture.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving the Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker Recipe a try—it’s a wonderful way to let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you enjoy a cozy, comforting meal bursting with flavor. Simple ingredients come together beautifully here, and the tender, buttery garlic goodness will have you reaching for seconds every time.
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Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Tender garlic butter beef bites slow-cooked to perfection with baby Yukon gold potatoes, seasoned with onion and garlic powder, and finished with melted butter for a rich, flavorful one-pot meal.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasonings
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
- 5 tablespoons butter, cut into 1 tablespoon pads
Vegetables
- 1 1/2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients. Measure out the beef stew meat, spices, garlic, butter, and potatoes to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Place Beef and Potatoes: Place the beef stew meat on one half of the slow cooker and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other half to keep them separated initially for even cooking.
- Season the Meat and Potatoes: Sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt evenly over the beef and potatoes, then toss the beef gently to coat it thoroughly while keeping it separate from the potatoes.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Evenly sprinkle the chopped garlic on top of the mixture and distribute the pads of butter over the meat and potatoes to infuse the flavors as they cook.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the potatoes to cook through, resulting in a flavorful and rich dish.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the beef bites and potatoes hot, spooning some of the savory sauce from the slow cooker over the top for added flavor.
Notes
- Do not mix beef and potatoes initially to ensure even cooking.
- Use baby Yukon gold potatoes for the best texture and flavor.
- Butter cut into pads helps to evenly distribute flavor during slow cooking.
- Seasoned salt adds a nice blend of herbs and salt; adjust seasoning based on preference.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For added freshness, garnish with chopped parsley before serving if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
