I still remember the first time I made these slow cooker garlic butter beef bites with potatoes for my family. The aroma that filled my kitchen was incredible, and watching everyone gather around the table made all the prep work worthwhile.
There’s something special about coming home to the smell of tender beef and buttery garlic wafting through your house. This slow cooker garlic butter beef bites with potatoes recipe transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying meal that cooks itself. The beef becomes fork-tender while the baby potatoes soak up every bit of that rich, savory sauce.
What makes this recipe truly worthwhile is how the slow cooking process allows all those flavors to meld together perfectly. You get tender beef paired with creamy potatoes, all swimming in a luscious garlic butter sauce that your family will remember for weeks. Ready to begin?
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
I always choose quality beef stew meat for this recipe because it becomes incredibly tender during the long cooking process. My go-to approach is selecting pieces that are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered if large – I recommend keeping pieces uniform for best results
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced – In my experience, fresh garlic makes all the difference over pre-minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary – My preference is to crush between fingers before adding
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil – I usually use extra virgin for better flavor
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish – Pro tip: add this right before serving for vibrant color
Step-by-Step Instructions
I recommend taking your time with the searing step, as this builds incredible flavor that makes the final dish truly exceptional.
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes generously with salt and pepper (about 1 teaspoon each), then sear in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper browning.
Step 2: Transfer the beautifully browned beef to your 4-6 quart slow cooker. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add minced garlic, cooking for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant and golden.
Step 3: Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in thyme and rosemary, then pour this aromatic mixture over the beef in your slow cooker.
Step 4: Add halved baby potatoes to the slow cooker, tossing everything together. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter on top and cover.
Step 5: Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until beef pulls apart easily when tested with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Taste and adjust seasoning before garnishing with fresh parsley.
Perfect Side Dishes for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
These tender beef bites pair beautifully with sides that complement the rich garlic butter sauce without competing for attention.
Crusty French Bread: Perfect for soaking up every drop of that incredible garlic butter sauce, adding a satisfying textural contrast to the tender beef and potatoes.
Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup: A warm soup that shares the comforting potato and garlic themes while providing a lighter companion to the rich main dish.
Autumn Wild Rice Soup: The earthy flavors of wild rice create a perfect seasonal pairing that complements the hearty nature of the beef bites.
Simple Green Salad: A crisp mixed greens salad with light vinaigrette cuts through the richness while adding fresh vegetables to balance the hearty main dish.
Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti: When serving a crowd, this vegetable-packed pasta provides additional substance and nutritional balance to round out the meal.
Dinner Rolls: Warm, fluffy rolls are ideal for creating little sandwiches with the beef or simply enjoying alongside the savory sauce.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover beef bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days after allowing to cool completely, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months for easy future meals.
I recommend reheating gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through to 165°F. The sauce may thicken slightly when cold, but gentle warming will restore its silky consistency.
Pro tip: This recipe actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. It’s perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd at gatherings.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, chuck roast cut into cubes works wonderfully and becomes incredibly tender during the long cooking process.
What if my potatoes are cooking too quickly?
If your potatoes seem done before the beef, you can remove them temporarily and add them back during the last hour of cooking.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Substitute the butter with olive oil or your preferred dairy-free alternative for equally delicious results.
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes generously with salt and pepper (about 1 teaspoon each), then sear in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned.
- Transfer browned beef to 4-6 quart slow cooker. In same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and add minced garlic, cooking for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce into skillet, scraping up browned bits. Stir in thyme and rosemary, then pour mixture over beef in slow cooker.
- Add halved baby potatoes to slow cooker and toss everything together. Place remaining 2 tablespoons butter on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until beef pulls apart easily with fork and reaches 165°F internal temperature. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
