Imagine coming home after a busy day to the warm, comforting smell of garlic butter beef and tender potatoes filling your house. This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe is all about simplicity, flavor, and convenience—three things that make it a must-have for any weeknight dinner or weekend feast. The beef bites soak up all that garlicky, buttery goodness, while the potatoes become soft, creamy, and utterly irresistible. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along!
Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
This dish has so much going for it. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
Hands-Off Cooking
The slow cooker does all the work for you. All you have to do is toss everything in, set it, and let it cook. No need to stand over the stove—just let the flavors blend together as the beef becomes perfectly tender.
Flavor-Packed
With garlic, butter, and fresh herbs, this dish is bursting with flavor. Each bite of beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the potatoes are a comforting side that soaks up all those delicious juices.
Comfort Food at Its Best
There’s something about garlic butter and beef that just screams comfort food, and paired with hearty potatoes, this dish is the perfect cozy meal.
Easy Clean-Up
The slow cooker means fewer pots and pans to clean, and that’s always a win in my book. This meal is as easy to make as it is to clean up after!
Ingredients
Beef Bites
You’ll need tender cuts of beef that are easy to cook in a slow cooker. I recommend chuck roast or sirloin, cut into bite-sized pieces. These cuts become so tender when slow-cooked.
Baby Potatoes
These little gems cook to perfection in the slow cooker. Their small size means they cook evenly, and they absorb the garlic butter flavor like a dream.
Garlic
Garlic is the star of the show here, infusing both the beef and potatoes with rich, aromatic flavor. Fresh garlic cloves are best, but pre-minced garlic can also work.
Butter
What’s garlic butter without butter? You’ll need a good amount to create that rich, creamy sauce that makes this dish so irresistible.
Fresh Herbs
A mix of fresh rosemary and thyme gives the dish a fragrant, earthy flavor that elevates the simple ingredients. If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried will work, but fresh really takes it to the next level.
Salt and Pepper
You’ll need salt and pepper to season the beef and potatoes, bringing out all the savory goodness.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: ~450 kcal
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 2g
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours (on low)
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef and Potatoes
Start by cutting your beef into bite-sized pieces. Wash your baby potatoes, and if they’re a bit large, cut them in half or quarters to ensure they cook evenly.
Step 2: Season the Ingredients
In a large bowl, toss the beef bites with salt, pepper, and a little bit of the chopped rosemary and thyme. Set aside. In the same bowl, toss the potatoes with some salt, pepper, and a pinch of the remaining herbs.
Step 3: Assemble in the Slow Cooker
Place the seasoned beef and potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the garlic and butter on top, distributing it evenly over the meat and potatoes.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Dish
Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, or until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through. Give it a stir halfway through cooking to ensure everything is evenly coated in that glorious garlic butter.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is cooked to perfection, serve the beef and potatoes hot, spooning the flavorful garlic butter sauce over the top. You’ll want to soak up every last bit!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
With a Side Salad
A fresh, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would make a great contrast to the richness of this dish.
With Steamed Vegetables
If you’re looking to balance out the meal with some greens, steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus would pair wonderfully with the beef and potatoes.
As Is
This dish is hearty enough to be served all on its own, with just a little sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan to top it off.
Additional Tips
- Make It Creamy: For an extra creamy sauce, stir in a little heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Beef Substitutes: If you prefer another protein, chicken thighs or pork can be used in place of the beef for a different twist.
- Prep Ahead: You can prep the beef, potatoes, and seasonings the night before and store them in the fridge. Just throw it all in the slow cooker in the morning and let it do its thing!
- Add Extra Veggies: Want to add more veggies? Try tossing in some carrots, mushrooms, or even some bell peppers to bulk up the dish.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use frozen beef or potatoes?
A1: It’s best to use fresh beef and potatoes for this recipe. Frozen ingredients may cook unevenly in the slow cooker.
Q2: Can I make this dish in a pressure cooker?
A2: Yes! If you’re using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you can cook this recipe on the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting for about 25-30 minutes.
Q3: Can I double this recipe?
A3: Absolutely! If you double the recipe, make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold everything, and adjust the cooking time slightly as needed.
Q4: How do I store leftovers?
A4: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
Q5: Can I freeze this dish?
A5: Yes! This dish freezes well. Just store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and heat on the stove or in the microwave.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes is the definition of comfort food—flavor-packed, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and effortless to make. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for a special occasion, this one’s sure to impress. The best part? You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a meal that feels like a treat. Give it a try, and enjoy the cozy, delicious flavors that are waiting for you!
PrintSlow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal. Tender chunks of beef are cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce with soft, roasted potatoes. The slow cooker does all the work, making this a perfect meal for busy days!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat (or beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 1/2 lbs baby potatoes (halved or quartered)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients:
Wash and halve or quarter the baby potatoes. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. - Season the Beef:
In a large bowl, combine the beef stew meat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss the beef to coat it evenly with the seasonings. - Prepare the Slow Cooker:
Add the halved potatoes and chopped onion to the bottom of the slow cooker. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Spread them out in an even layer. - Add the Beef:
Place the seasoned beef on top of the potatoes in the slow cooker. - Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, beef broth, garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Stir to combine and pour the garlic butter sauce over the beef and potatoes. - Cook:
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are soft. - Serve:
Once done, garnish the dish with fresh parsley. Serve the beef bites and potatoes hot, either as a main dish or with a side of steamed vegetables.
Notes
- You can use different cuts of beef like chuck roast or sirloin if you prefer.
- If you want to add some vegetables, carrots or green beans would pair well with this dish.
- For a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow the sauce to reduce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg