There’s nothing quite like opening your front door to the aroma of tender beef and garlic butter after a long day. This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is the kind of dinner that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together, even on the most chaotic weeknights. Just toss everything in your slow cooker in the morning, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal waiting when you walk through the door.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes
I always reach for beef chuck roast when making this recipe because it becomes incredibly tender during the long, slow cooking process. The marbling in chuck roast breaks down beautifully, creating melt-in-your-mouth beef that practically falls apart with a fork. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast (cut into large chunks)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste) – I recommend being generous with the seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing, optional but adds great flavor)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted) – I usually grab Kerrygold when it’s on sale for extra richness
- 5 cloves garlic (minced) – Fresh garlic makes all the difference here
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of thyme, oregano, and basil)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a gentle kick)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 2 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes (halved) – My preference is Yukon Gold for their creamy texture
- ½ cup low-sodium beef broth – In my experience, low-sodium works best so you can control the salt level
- 1 medium onion (sliced, optional)
- 1 cup carrots (chopped, optional) – I usually add these for extra nutrition
Step-by-Step Instructions
I recommend patting the beef dry before seasoning, as this helps create a better sear and allows the seasoning to stick properly. This small step makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor.
Step 1: Pat the beef chunks completely dry using paper towels, then season all sides generously with salt and black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning as some will cook off during the long cooking process.
Step 2: If you have an extra 10 minutes, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This step is optional but adds incredible depth of flavor, similar to how searing enhances garlic butter steak bites.
Step 3: Place the halved baby potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker. Layer the seared beef chunks on top, then scatter the sliced onion and chopped carrots over everything if using.
Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with minced garlic, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Stir until well mixed and fragrant.
Step 5: Pour the beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Drizzle the garlic butter mixture over everything, then gently toss to distribute the sauce evenly. The liquid should come about 1/3 up the sides of the ingredients. Don’t worry if it seems minimal – the beef and vegetables will release moisture during cooking.
Step 6: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours. The beef should be fork-tender and the potatoes soft but not mushy. If you’re home during cooking, give it a gentle stir after 3-4 hours.
Step 7: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce seems too thin, let it sit uncovered for 15 minutes, or mash a couple of potatoes into the broth to naturally thicken it.
Step 8: Transfer the beef and potatoes to a serving platter, spoon the extra sauce over the top, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately while hot.
Perfect Pairings for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef
This hearty beef dish pairs beautifully with lighter sides that balance the richness of the garlic butter sauce and provide textural contrast.
Crisp Green Salad: A simple mixed green salad with vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the beef and adds a fresh, crunchy element that brightens the entire meal.
Crusty French Bread: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible garlic butter sauce. The crispy exterior and soft interior make it ideal for savoring all the flavors.
Roasted Green Beans: These add a healthy pop of color and a slight char that complements the tender beef beautifully while providing important nutrients and fiber. For another veggie-forward option, try pairing it with sheet pan sausage and veggies.
Steamed Broccoli: Offers a mild, slightly bitter contrast to the rich, buttery sauce while adding vitamins and keeping the meal well-balanced.
Garlic Bread: If you’re really leaning into the garlic theme, warm garlic bread rolls are always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for mopping up sauce.
Creamy Soup: Start the meal with hearty cheddar garlic herb potato soup for a complete comfort food experience.
Make-Ahead and Storage Guide
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making this one of those wonderful dishes that tastes even better the next day. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
For reheating, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if needed to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval.
This recipe is perfect for meal prep. I often make a double batch on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week. You can also prep everything the night before by cutting the beef, halving the potatoes, and mixing the garlic butter sauce, then simply assemble and start the slow cooker in the morning.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
While chuck roast works best for slow cooking, you can substitute with beef stew meat or even short ribs. Just avoid lean cuts like sirloin, as they’ll become tough during the long cooking time. For another slow cooker beef option, check out slow cooker salisbury steak meatballs.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Simply swap the butter for plant-based butter or use additional olive oil mixed with the garlic and herbs. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I cook this on high for less time?
Yes, cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours instead of LOW for 7-8 hours. Just keep in mind that LOW and slow generally produces more tender beef, but HIGH works great when you’re short on time.
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat beef chunks dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef chunks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Place halved baby potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add seared beef chunks on top. Scatter onion and carrots over everything if using.
- In a small bowl, melt butter. Stir in minced garlic, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped parsley until well combined.
- Pour beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Drizzle garlic butter sauce over everything and gently toss to distribute. The liquid should come about 1/3 up the sides of the ingredients. Don’t worry if it seems minimal – the beef and vegetables will release moisture during cooking.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy. If you’re home during cooking, give it a gentle stir after 3-4 hours.
- Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thin, let it sit uncovered for 15 minutes or mash a couple of potatoes into the broth for thickness.
- Transfer beef and potatoes to a serving platter. Spoon extra sauce over the top, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
