When it comes to easy, comforting dinners, the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is a true winner. If you’ve ever dreamed of a meal that’s not only delicious but requires minimal prep and clean-up, this dish has you covered. Imagine tender beef bites coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, paired perfectly with tender potatoes, all cooked together in a slow cooker. The best part? You can set it and forget it, letting the slow cooker work its magic while you go about your day. This is the kind of meal that brings the family to the table with smiles and full bellies.
What Makes This Recipe a Winner
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a meal that you can prep in the morning and have ready to serve in the evening. The Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes delivers exactly that. This dish is an excellent choice for busy families or anyone looking for a flavorful, hands-off dinner.
The magic of a slow cooker is that it turns tougher cuts of beef into melt-in-your-mouth bites while infusing the meat with the richness of garlic and butter. As the beef simmers, it releases juices that soak into the potatoes, making them soft and flavorful. The combination of garlic, butter, and savory beef is a flavor-packed experience that’s simple yet comforting. You’ll find yourself making this dish time and time again, especially on those busy weeknights when you need something delicious but don’t have the time for hours of preparation.
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is a one-pot meal made with tender beef and buttery potatoes, flavored with garlic and simple seasonings.
Ingredients
- Beef stew meat (2 lbs)
- Baby Yukon Gold potatoes (2 cups)
- Butter (1/2 cup)
- Garlic, minced (5 cloves)
- Garlic powder (1 tsp)
- Onion powder (1 tsp)
- Seasoned salt (1 tsp)
- Beef broth (1/4 cup, optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (1 tbsp)
Instructions
- Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and wash the potatoes.
- Add beef and potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Add garlic, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt.
- Optionally, add 1/4 cup of beef broth for more moisture.
- Stir well to coat the beef and potatoes with seasonings.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Stir again and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a richer gravy, add more broth and thicken with cornstarch. You can substitute Yukon Gold potatoes with red potatoes or russets for slight texture differences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why They Matter)
To create these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes, you’ll need just a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
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Beef: You can use stew meat, chuck roast, or even cubed steak. Choose a cut that will benefit from slow cooking, allowing it to become tender and juicy.
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Potatoes: Baby Yukon Gold potatoes work best because they hold their shape while absorbing the garlic butter flavor. You can also use red potatoes or even russet, but the texture might change slightly.
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Butter and Garlic: These are the stars of the show. The butter gives the dish richness, while garlic infuses everything with savory goodness.
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Seasonings: You’ll need garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and perhaps a little onion soup mix for extra depth of flavor.
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Optional liquids: You can add a splash of beef broth to create a little more sauce, though the beef and butter will naturally provide plenty of moisture.
The simplicity of the ingredients is what makes this dish so easy and appealing, yet they work together to create an unforgettable flavor profile.
Step-by-Step Preparation & Cooking Instructions
Making Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is as easy as it gets. Here’s how you can make this mouthwatering meal:
Prep the Ingredients
Start by cutting your beef into bite-sized pieces. If you’re using stew meat or chuck roast, trimming off excess fat will help prevent greasiness. Next, wash your potatoes, keeping the skins on for extra texture. If you’re using larger potatoes, cut them into halves or quarters, ensuring they cook at the same rate as the beef.
Assemble in the Slow Cooker
Place the beef and potatoes in the slow cooker. Add the garlic, butter, and your seasonings. You want to make sure everything is well-seasoned. If you like a saucier dish, add a bit of beef broth to create a more gravy-like consistency. Stir it all together to coat the beef and potatoes with the rich butter and garlic.
Set the Slow Cooker
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The slow cooker will work its magic, transforming the beef into tender bites and the potatoes into perfectly cooked little morsels of comfort. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are soft.
Finish and Serve
Once the cooking time is up, give everything a good stir. Check the seasoning and adjust if needed. For an extra touch, garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve it up with a side of crusty bread to mop up the rich, buttery sauce.
Dietary Variations & Ingredient Substitutions
One of the best things about the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is how versatile it is. Here are a few substitutions if you’re catering to specific dietary preferences:
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Gluten-Free: Ensure that your seasonings are gluten-free, especially the onion soup mix, or use a homemade gluten-free seasoning blend.
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Low-Calorie / Lightened Version: You can lighten this dish up by using lean cuts of beef like sirloin, cutting back on the butter, or using a non-dairy butter alternative. Adding more vegetables, like green beans or carrots, will also add volume and reduce calories without sacrificing flavor.
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Halal: Simply swap the beef for halal-certified cuts, and follow the same recipe. This dish will work beautifully with halal meat.
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Vegetarian/Vegan: For a vegetarian or vegan version, you can use plant-based beef or hearty vegetables like mushrooms. Replace the butter with vegan butter and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
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Dairy-Free: If you’re avoiding dairy, swap the butter for olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
Variations & Customizations
While the original recipe is perfect as-is, there are several ways you can make it your own:
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Add Extra Veggies: Consider adding extra vegetables like carrots, green beans, or peas for a more well-rounded, one-pot meal.
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Switch Up the Potatoes: Feel free to use any kind of potato you prefer. Red potatoes hold up well in the slow cooker, while russets might break down and create a more mashed-potato-like texture.
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Make It Gravy-Style: If you love a rich, savory gravy, add more beef broth to the slow cooker and thicken it with a cornstarch slurry toward the end of the cooking process. This will give you a luxurious sauce to pour over everything.
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Different Cuts of Beef: While stew meat works wonderfully, you can also use sirloin, ribeye, or any other beef cut you prefer. Just keep in mind that different cuts might require different cooking times or yield slightly different textures.
Storage, Leftovers & Reheating Tips
This dish makes excellent leftovers, so don’t be afraid to cook a big batch. Here’s how to store and reheat it:
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Storing: Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
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Freezing: You can freeze the beef and potatoes for up to 2-3 months. Just make sure to let it cool before transferring to a freezer-safe container.
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Reheating: To reheat, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between, or heat it gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth to bring it back to life.
The Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is a perfect comfort food for any occasion. With its ease of preparation, minimal clean-up, and rich, savory flavor, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a hearty dinner to enjoy throughout the week, this one-pot meal has got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different cuts of beef for this recipe?
Yes, you can use different cuts of beef such as sirloin, chuck, or ribeye. Just keep in mind that some cuts may require a bit longer to become tender, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. Stew meat or chuck roast is ideal for slow cooking because it becomes incredibly tender.
How long does it take to cook garlic butter beef bites with potatoes in the slow cooker?
For the best results, cook your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker, but the beef should be fork-tender and the potatoes cooked through.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker with the beef and potatoes?
Absolutely! You can add vegetables like carrots, green beans, or peas to the slow cooker along with the beef and potatoes. Just be sure to chop them into uniform sizes so they cook evenly. They’ll soak up all the delicious garlic butter sauce!
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes ahead of time. Just follow the recipe instructions and refrigerate it after cooking. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 2-3 months. Be sure to let it cool completely before freezing.
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