When life feels like a marathon of meetings, errands, and “what’s for dinner?” moments, Garlic Butter Beef Bites swoop in like a delicious rescue squad. This dish is everything you want at the end of a long day—hearty beef, tender potatoes, and that irresistible buttery garlic flavor that wraps around you like your favorite blanket.
What’s even better? It’s a slow cooker recipe, so the hardest part is remembering to plug it in. Seriously, you can toss everything together in the morning, and by dinner, your house smells like pure comfort. These buttery garlic beef bites are the kind of meal that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “Is it ready yet?”
Whether it’s a cozy Sunday or a jam-packed Wednesday, this comfort dinner is the definition of low effort, high reward. Let’s dive into this melt-in-your-mouth weeknight meal that will make you feel like you’ve mastered the art of slow-cooked happiness.
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Butter Beef Bites
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Effortless slow cooker magic: Set it and forget it—come back to a pot of pure deliciousness.
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Buttery perfection: Garlic and butter blend into a glossy sauce that coats every piece of beef and potato.
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Family-approved comfort food: Simple ingredients, big flavor, and zero complaints from the table.
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One-pot wonder: Meat, potatoes, and sauce all cook together, making cleanup a breeze.
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes are the perfect slow cooker comfort food—tender, juicy beef cubes simmered with baby potatoes in a rich garlic-butter sauce. It’s the kind of melt-in-your-mouth dinner that feels indulgent but is practically effortless. Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let the magic happen while you go about your day. By dinnertime, your home will smell heavenly, and your meal will be pure buttery perfection.
Ingredients
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1.5 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
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1 lb baby potatoes, halved
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4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp dried thyme
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½ tsp dried rosemary
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½ tsp fine salt (to taste)
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¼ tsp black pepper
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¼ cup beef broth
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
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Prep the ingredients: Pat the beef dry and cut into even cubes. Halve baby potatoes for uniform cooking.
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Optional step – parboil potatoes: Boil for 4–5 minutes in salted water, then drain for softer centers.
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Sear for flavor: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef in small batches for 1–2 minutes per side, until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
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Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk melted butter with garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and beef broth.
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Assemble: Add potatoes to the slow cooker, then pour the garlic-butter sauce evenly over everything. Toss gently to coat.
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Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until beef is tender and potatoes are soft.
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Finish: Stir gently and taste for seasoning. Add a pat of butter or a splash of broth for extra shine.
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Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm with crusty bread or a green salad.
Notes
Searing the beef first adds deep caramelized flavor—don’t skip it if you can.
Use baby Yukon gold or red potatoes for the best texture.
If sauce is too thin, crack the lid for the last 15 minutes to thicken.
Add carrots, mushrooms, or green beans for extra color and nutrition.
Stir in a knob of butter just before serving for that restaurant-style gloss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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1.5 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
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1 lb baby potatoes, halved
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4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp onion powder
-
1 tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp dried thyme
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½ tsp dried rosemary
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½ tsp fine salt (to taste)
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¼ tsp black pepper
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¼ cup beef broth
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
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Prep the basics: Pat beef dry and cut into bite-sized cubes. Halve baby potatoes so they cook evenly.
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Parboil the potatoes (optional): Boil 4–5 minutes in salted water, then drain—this ensures soft, creamy centers.
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Sear for flavor: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear beef in small batches for 1–2 minutes per side until browned. Don’t cook through—just seal in those juices. Transfer tothe slow cooker.
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Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and beef broth.
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Load it up: Add potatoes around and over beef. Pour garlic-butter sauce evenly and toss gently to coat everything in that golden goodness.
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Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours (or HIGH for 3–4 hours) until beef is tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy.
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Finish strong: Stir gently, taste, and adjust seasoning. Add a pat of butter or splash of broth if you want a little extra shine.
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Serve it up: Spoon into bowls and garnish with parsley. Pair with crusty bread to soak up that buttery sauce.
Cooking Tips
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Don’t skip the sear! It adds rich, caramelized flavor that makes all the difference.
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Potato choice matters: Baby Yukon golds or red potatoes hold their shape beautifully.
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Too much liquid? Crack the lid open for the last 15 minutes to let the sauce thicken.
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Want more veggies? Add carrots, green beans, or mushrooms for a twist.
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Butter bonus: Stir in a knob of butter right before serving for restaurant-style gloss.
And if your kitchen smells so good that your family keeps sneaking peeks at the slow cooker—don’t worry, that’s a good sign!
The Story Behind This Recipe
This Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes recipe was born out of one of those “let’s use what’s in the fridge” nights. I had stew meat, a few baby potatoes, and a half stick of butter calling my name. I tossed everything into the slow cooker, crossed my fingers, and hoped for something edible.
By dinnertime, the smell alone had my family gathering like bees to honey. The beef was tender, the potatoes buttery-soft, and the garlic-butter sauce? Absolute heaven. My husband even asked if I’d secretly ordered takeout! From that night on, this became one of our favorite weeknight meals. It’s comfort in every bite—and a reminder that sometimes the simplest dishes turn out to be the most special.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Beef Bites
This dish is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it also plays nicely with a few simple sides. Try it with a crisp green salad to balance the richness, or serve it alongside steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus for a pop of color.
If you want to lean into the comfort factor, serve it with warm dinner rolls, buttery garlic bread, or even mashed potatoes (yes, double potatoes—no judgment here). And if there’s a glass of red wine nearby? Even better.
How to Store
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Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Freeze: Cool completely before freezing for up to 3 months.
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Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of beef broth to keep everything moist.
Pro tip: The flavors deepen overnight, so leftovers taste even better the next day. Consider making a double batch—you’ll thank yourself later!
FAQs
Can I make this recipe without searing the beef first?
You can, but searing adds a deeper flavor. It’s worth the extra few minutes!
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes! Chuck roast or sirloin tips work beautifully. Just make sure they’re cut into even pieces for uniform cooking.
Can I make this in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Combine everything in a Dutch oven, cover, and bake at 300°F for about 2½–3 hours until tender.
What can I use instead of potatoes?
Try sweet potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower for a fun twist on this potato recipe.
Bringing It All Together
There’s something so satisfying about a dish that practically cooks itself and fills your home with buttery, garlicky goodness. These Garlic Butter Beef Bites are the definition of comfort dinner—rich, hearty, and guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy.
So next time you’re craving a cozy weeknight meal that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen, pull out your slow cooker and let it work its magic. A bowl of these buttery garlic beef bites might just become your new family favorite.
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