If you’re looking for a meal that’s both comforting and easy to prepare, this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes is exactly what you need. The tender beef bites and creamy potatoes are coated in a savory garlic butter sauce, making every bite feel like a little bit of heaven. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of recipe, and the slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with a flavorful, hearty meal that the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is the perfect combination of melt-in-your-mouth beef, creamy potatoes, and a rich garlic butter sauce that ties everything together. It’s so easy to make—just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do its magic. The result is a meal that’s packed with flavor and comfort. Whether you’re serving it on a busy weeknight or for a cozy weekend dinner, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.
Ingredients
(Here’s a sneak peek of the key ingredients. Full list below!)
- 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef and Potatoes
Start by cutting the beef into bite-sized pieces if it’s not already done for you. Halve the baby potatoes, leaving the skin on for extra flavor and texture. This will allow both the beef and potatoes to cook evenly in the slow cooker.
Step 2: Mix the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. This garlic butter sauce will infuse the beef and potatoes with flavor as they cook.
Step 3: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker
Place the beef and potatoes into the slow cooker. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the beef and potatoes, making sure everything is well-coated. Then, add the beef broth to the slow cooker to help keep everything moist as it cooks.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Dish
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The beef should be tender, and the potatoes should be cooked through.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is cooked, give it a gentle stir. If desired, garnish with some freshly chopped parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. Serve the beef and potatoes with your favorite vegetable or enjoy it on its own as a hearty, comforting meal.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Searing the beef first: If you want a deeper flavor, you can sear the beef bites in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side before adding them to the slow cooker. This will lock in the juices and add a nice caramelized crust to the beef.
- Customize the herbs: Feel free to use your favorite herbs in this dish. Fresh rosemary or thyme works well, but you can also experiment with herbs like oregano or basil for a different flavor profile.
- Potato options: If you don’t have baby potatoes, you can use regular potatoes, just cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Swap the beef: If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs or pork for a variation. Both will soak up the garlic butter sauce beautifully.
- Add vegetables: Add in some carrots, onions, or bell peppers for more color and nutrition. Just chop them into pieces and add them to the slow cooker along with the beef and potatoes.
- Dairy-free option: For a dairy-free version, replace the butter with olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes is a one-pot meal, but you can easily pair it with a fresh side salad or some roasted vegetables to complete the meal. A simple green salad with a lemony dressing would cut through the richness of the garlic butter sauce. If you’re craving something extra, serve it with some crusty bread to soak up all that delicious garlic butter.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld together, so it’s even better the next day. To reheat, simply warm it up in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little more beef broth if necessary to keep it moist. This dish also freezes well. If you want to freeze it, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
FAQs
- Can I cook this on high instead of low?
Yes, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours if you’re short on time. The beef will still turn out tender and delicious. - Can I use frozen beef or potatoes?
It’s best to use fresh beef and potatoes for this recipe, as frozen meat and potatoes can release too much water and affect the texture of the dish. - Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! If you want to make a larger batch, just double the ingredients and make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate everything. - What should I serve with this?
This dish is hearty enough to be a full meal on its own, but you can pair it with a side salad, steamed vegetables, or even some dinner rolls for extra comfort.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes is a meal that checks all the boxes: it’s easy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. The garlic butter sauce adds so much richness to the beef and potatoes, making it a comforting dish that will satisfy everyone at the table. Set it in the slow cooker, relax, and let the magic happen—dinner is served!
PrintSlow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
This comforting and easy-to-make dish features tender beef bites and creamy potatoes bathed in a savory garlic butter sauce. With minimal effort, this slow cooker recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful meal that the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and halve the baby potatoes. Leave the skin on the potatoes for extra flavor and texture.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. This flavorful garlic butter sauce will infuse the beef and potatoes as they cook.
Place the beef and potatoes into the slow cooker. Pour the garlic butter sauce over everything, ensuring it’s well-coated. Add the beef broth to help keep everything moist while cooking.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
Once cooked, stir gently and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with your favorite vegetables or enjoy as a hearty, stand-alone meal.
Notes
- Searing the beef first: For deeper flavor, sear the beef bites in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Customize the herbs: Feel free to use fresh rosemary or thyme, or experiment with other herbs like oregano or basil for variation.
- Potato options: If you don’t have baby potatoes, use regular potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg