Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe

Savory Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe

Tender beef chunks bathed in rich garlic butter sauce have become a weekend comfort classic for busy home cooks searching for slow cooker garlic butter beef bites & potatoes.

These mouthwatering morsels promise maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Each bite delivers a savory punch that melts in your mouth.

The slow cooker works its magic, transforming simple ingredients into a hearty meal everyone will love.

Perfectly seasoned beef and creamy potatoes create a delightful combination that satisfies deep hunger.

Minimal prep and maximum taste make this recipe a weeknight dinner champion.

Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Crowd Pleasers

  • Unwind with Minimal Effort: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, creating a delicious meal without constant monitoring.
  • Flavor-Packed One-Pot Wonder: Combines tender beef, hearty potatoes, and a rich garlic butter sauce that infuses every bite with mouthwatering goodness.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or meal prepping, this recipe satisfies both picky eaters and food enthusiasts with its simple yet delectable approach.
  • Nutrient-Rich Comfort Meal: Delivers a balanced dish with protein-packed beef and wholesome potatoes, making it a nutritious option for those seeking a satisfying home-cooked meal.

Slow Cooker Beef Bites Ingredient Guide

Main Protein:
  • Beef: A tender and flavorful meat that serves as the primary protein for this hearty slow cooker dish.
Produce:
  • Baby Potatoes: Small, creamy potatoes that become soft and delicious when slow-cooked with the beef.
  • Garlic: Adds a rich, aromatic flavor to the garlic butter sauce.
  • Fresh Parsley: A fresh herb used for garnishing and adding a bright, green finish to the dish.
Seasonings and Sauce Components:
  • Olive Oil: Used for searing the beef to lock in flavor and create a golden-brown exterior.
  • Butter: Creates a rich, smooth base for the garlic sauce that coats the beef and potatoes.
  • Paprika: Provides a subtle, sweet pepper flavor and adds warmth to the dish.
  • Thyme, Rosemary: Herbs that contribute earthy and aromatic notes to the overall flavor profile.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the taste of the beef and potatoes.

Making Garlic Butter Beef Bites at Home

Step 1: Slice Protein and Starches

Carefully cut beef into bite-sized chunks and slice baby potatoes in halves.

Ensure pieces are relatively uniform for even cooking.

Step 2: Brown Meat

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Sizzle beef pieces until golden brown on all exterior surfaces.

Transfer browned meat into slow cooker.

Step 3: Position Potato Companions

Arrange potato halves evenly across the top of the browned beef in the slow cooker.

Distribute them in a single layer for consistent cooking.

Step 4: Create Flavor Infusion

Whisk together the flavor components:
  • Melted butter
  • Minced garlic
  • Paprika
  • Dried thyme
  • Crushed rosemary
  • Kosher salt
  • Cracked black pepper

Pour this aromatic mixture directly over meat and potatoes, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover slow cooker and select cooking time:
  • Low setting: 7-8 hours
  • High setting: 4-5 hours

Cooking continues until beef becomes fork-tender and potatoes reach desired softness.

Step 6: Final Flourish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant, herbal finish.

Serve hot and enjoy your comforting meal.

Tips for Juicy Beef Bites Every Time

Tips for Juicy Beef Bites Every Time
  • Brown the beef in a hot skillet before slow cooking to develop deeper, richer taste and create a delicious caramelized exterior.
  • Choose small, uniform baby potatoes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Use fresh herbs if possible for more vibrant and intense flavor compared to dried herbs in the garlic butter sauce.
  • Select chuck roast or stew meat cuts with good marbling to guarantee soft, melt-in-your-mouth beef after slow cooking.
  • If sauce seems thin after cooking, quickly thicken by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stirring into the liquid.

Flavorful Beef Bites Variations

Flavorful Beef Bites Variations
  • Keto-Friendly Version: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets and use grass-fed beef for a low-carb alternative that maintains the rich, savory flavors.
  • Mediterranean Herb Variation: Swap thyme and rosemary with oregano and add chopped olives for a Greek-inspired twist on the classic recipe.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate chili powder, cumin, and diced green chilies to transform the dish with bold, zesty southwestern flavors.
  • Vegetarian Adaptation: Substitute beef with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, using the same garlic butter sauce for a plant-based protein option that keeps the original recipe’s essence.

Ways to Serve Beef Bites and Potatoes

  • Perfect Party Platter: Spread the beef bites and potatoes on a large wooden board with small dipping sauces for guests to enjoy as appetizers.
  • Hearty Family Meal: Serve alongside a crisp green salad and crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce for a complete dinner experience.
  • Protein-Packed Lunch: Pack leftovers in meal prep containers with extra roasted vegetables for a delicious next-day lunch that’s easy to reheat and enjoy.
  • Rustic Comfort Bowl: Serve in individual rustic bowls, topped with extra fresh herbs and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese for added richness and flavor.

Storage Tips for Beef Bites Dishes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the beef and potatoes are completely cooled before sealing.
  • Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and store for up to 3 months. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
  • Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent drying. Cover and heat on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

  • What cut of beef works best for this recipe?

Chuck roast or sirloin tip are ideal because they become tender and flavorful when slow-cooked, breaking down nicely during the long cooking process.

  • Can I skip searing the beef?

Searing creates a rich, caramelized exterior that adds depth of flavor to the dish. Skipping this step will result in less complex taste and less appetizing appearance.

  • How do I know the beef is perfectly cooked?

The beef should be fork-tender and easily pull apart. When it reaches this stage, it means the collagen has broken down, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

  • Is it necessary to use fresh herbs?

Fresh herbs provide more vibrant flavor compared to dried herbs. However, if fresh herbs aren’t available, you can substitute with dried herbs, using about one-third the amount of the fresh measurement.

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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Garlic butter beef bites & potatoes promise a comforting meal that melts in your mouth with rich, savory flavors. Slow cooker magic brings tender meat and hearty potatoes together, delivering a hassle-free dinner you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 lbs (907 grams) beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables and Potatoes:

  • 1.5 lbs (680 grams) baby potatoes, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Seasonings and Fats:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice beef into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking. Quarter baby potatoes to match beef chunk sizes.
  2. Heat skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear beef pieces until golden brown on all exterior surfaces, creating a rich caramelized exterior.
  3. Transfer seared beef cubes into slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer for optimal heat distribution.
  4. Distribute potato quarters evenly over and around the beef pieces, creating a balanced mixture.
  5. Prepare garlic butter sauce by whisking melted butter with minced garlic, paprika, dried thyme, crushed rosemary, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until thoroughly combined.
  6. Pour the aromatic garlic butter sauce directly over beef and potatoes, ensuring complete coverage and flavor infusion.
  7. Secure slow cooker lid and cook on low temperature for 7 hours or high temperature for 4 hours, allowing meat to become supremely tender and potatoes to become perfectly soft.
  8. Once cooking completes, gently stir contents to redistribute sauce and ensure even seasoning.
  9. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley immediately before serving, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish to the dish.

Notes

  • Opt for well-marbled beef cuts like chuck roast or sirloin tip for maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
  • Searing beef before slow cooking creates a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in delicious flavors and improves overall texture.
  • Choose smaller baby potatoes for more even cooking and a more appealing presentation in the final dish.
  • 1 ratio to maintain balanced seasoning intensity.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 392 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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