If you love meals that combine tender beef with comforting potatoes, then you are going to adore this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe. It’s a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish where succulent beef stew meat and baby potatoes soak up the rich, garlicky butter sauce slow-cooked to perfection. Each bite bursts with savory goodness, beautifully balanced with the spices and a touch of fresh parsley. This recipe is the ultimate cozy dinner that brings warmth and satisfaction with almost no hands-on fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe is straightforward, with a focus on quality and flavor. Every component plays a crucial role, whether it’s the melting butter that carries garlic’s warmth or the perfect seasoning mix that elevates the beef and potatoes.
- Beef stew meat, 2 pounds: Cut into 1-inch cubes to ensure even, tender cooking.
- Baby potatoes, 1 1/2 pounds: Halved for quicker cooking and excellent texture contrast.
- Unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons melted: Provides richness and helps meld all flavors.
- Garlic cloves, 5 minced: Adds a robust aromatic punch that defines the dish.
- Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon: Lends a lightly tangy umami depth.
- Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon: A fragrant herb blend that complements garlic beautifully.
- Salt, 1 teaspoon: Enhances all the natural flavors.
- Black pepper, ½ teaspoon: For gentle heat and balance.
- Smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon: Adds a subtle smoky warmth that’s utterly addictive.
- Fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped (for garnish): Brings a bright, fresh finish to the plate.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture and Coat Ingredients
Start by melting the butter to release its creamy richness, then combine it with freshly minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in a large bowl. This blend infuses the beef and potatoes with bold layers of flavor as they soak during cooking. Toss the beef cubes and halved baby potatoes in this mixture, making sure everything is evenly coated to ensure each bite is savory and delicious.
Step 2: Transfer to the Slow Cooker
Once coated, spread the beef and potatoes into an even layer inside your slow cooker. This arrangement helps everything cook uniformly, allowing the beef to become tender and the potatoes to absorb the garlicky butter sauce fully. Avoid overcrowding so the flavors mingle perfectly without steaming.
Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover and set your slow cooker on low for 6 to 7 hours, giving the beef plenty of time to cook gently until melt-in-your-mouth tender. If you’re short on time, using the high setting for 3 to 4 hours works well too. Midway or near the end, give a gentle stir to blend flavors before serving. Your home will fill with such an irresistible aroma, you’ll be counting down the minutes!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes take this dish from good to stunning. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the beef bites and potatoes just before serving to add a vibrant pop of color and a light herbal freshness that balances those rich garlic butter notes perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe holds its own as a hearty one-pot meal, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables like green beans or asparagus adds refreshing contrast and additional textures. For a low-carb option, try serving alongside roasted Brussels sprouts or sautéed spinach to keep the meal balanced yet indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or simply jazz up your weeknight dinner, serve the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe over creamy mashed cauliflower or polenta. Drizzle some of the flavorful cooking juices on top to elevate presentation and keep every mouthful juicy and unforgettable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This recipe reheats wonderfully and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together.
Freezing
For longer preservation, freeze the cooled beef bites and potatoes in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove or microwave.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the leftovers in a covered skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Adding a splash of beef broth or a little melted butter helps restore that fresh-from-the-slow-cooker richness and prevents dryness.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While stew meat is perfect for slow cooking due to its tenderness after slow simmering, you could also use chuck roast cut into cubes. Just be mindful of cooking times, as leaner cuts may dry out.
Can I add vegetables other than potatoes?
Yes! Carrots and mushrooms work beautifully here, adding extra texture and flavor. Add firmer veggies like carrots at the beginning, but mushrooms can be added halfway through cooking to prevent them from becoming too mushy.
What if I don’t have a slow cooker?
You can adapt this recipe for the oven by covering the mixture in a baking dish and cooking at 325°F (165°C) for about 2 hours or until beef is tender, stirring occasionally. Just watch the liquid levels to avoid drying out.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe is naturally gluten-free as none of the ingredients contain gluten. Always check your Worcestershire sauce label to ensure it’s gluten-free to be safe.
How can I make this dish more rich and creamy?
For an extra touch of indulgence, stir in a tablespoon of heavy cream or a splash of beef broth during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This adds a lovely velvety finish to the garlic butter sauce.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like coming home to the mouthwatering aroma of Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe simmering away. It’s one of those effortless dishes that feels special but requires very little effort, making it a perfect weeknight favorite or a cozy weekend treat. Give it a try and watch how it quickly becomes a go-to recipe for you and your loved ones!
Print
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe features tender beef stew meat and baby potatoes cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with flavorful seasonings, making it a comforting and hearty meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic butter mixture: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, mixing thoroughly to create a flavorful sauce.
- Coat beef and potatoes: Add the beef stew meat cubes and halved baby potatoes to the bowl with the garlic butter mixture. Toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the seasonings and butter.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Place the coated beef and potatoes into the slow cooker, spreading them out in an even layer for uniform cooking.
- Cook the mixture: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
- Finish and serve: Before serving, gently stir the beef and potatoes to mix any settled sauce, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of beef broth or a tablespoon of heavy cream toward the end of cooking.
- You can add carrots or mushrooms to the slow cooker along with the beef and potatoes for a heartier, more colorful meal.
