I love making this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes because it’s incredibly easy and packed with rich, comforting flavors. Tender beef bites simmer slowly with buttery garlic sauce and tender potatoes, making it a perfect hands-off meal for busy days.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I find this recipe incredibly satisfying because it combines the juicy tenderness of slow-cooked beef with the subtle sweetness of garlic butter and hearty potatoes all in one pot. The slow cooker does all the work, so I get to come home to a warm, flavorful dinner without the hassle. Plus, it’s a great one-pot meal that feels indulgent but requires minimal prep.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dried thyme
directions
- I start by heating olive oil in a skillet and browning the beef bites on all sides to seal in the juices.
- Then, I place the browned beef in the slow cooker.
- I add the halved baby potatoes on top of the beef.
- In a small saucepan, I melt butter and stir in minced garlic until fragrant, then pour the garlic butter over the beef and potatoes.
- Next, I pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce into the slow cooker, sprinkling in salt, pepper, and dried thyme for seasoning.
- I cover and cook on low for about 6 to 7 hours until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
- Before serving, I stir in freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves about 4 people. The prep time is roughly 15 minutes, and the slow cooking time takes about 6 to 7 hours on low. It’s perfect for setting up in the morning and enjoying a hot meal at dinner time.
Variations
I sometimes swap the baby potatoes for sweet potatoes or add carrots and mushrooms for extra veggies. For a spicy kick, I like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika. Using different herbs like rosemary or oregano can also change the flavor profile to keep it interesting.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I gently warm the beef bites and potatoes in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through, adding a splash of broth if needed to keep it moist.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, I recommend using stew meat or chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces for the best tenderness after slow cooking.
Can I prepare this recipe in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely. You can transfer everything to a covered baking dish and cook at 325°F (160°C) for about 2 to 3 hours, checking occasionally until the beef is tender.
Is it possible to freeze the leftovers?
Yes, I freeze the cooked beef bites and potatoes in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely. Just be sure to use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and check your beef broth label.
How do I get the garlic flavor without burning it?
I melt the butter and gently cook the minced garlic on low heat just until fragrant before adding it to the slow cooker, which prevents burning and bitterness.
Conclusion
I find this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe to be one of my favorite comforting meals that’s easy to prepare and full of rich flavors. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend, I appreciate how effortless it is to have a hearty, delicious dinner ready when I want it. It’s a classic slow cooker dish that never disappoints.
PrintSlow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes
Tender beef bites slow-cooked with garlic butter sauce and baby potatoes for a rich, comforting one-pot meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef bites on all sides to seal in the juices.
- Transfer the browned beef into the slow cooker.
- Place the halved baby potatoes on top of the beef in the slow cooker.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the garlic butter evenly over the beef and potatoes in the slow cooker.
- Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, until the beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
- Before serving, stir in freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness.
Notes
- For variation, substitute baby potatoes with sweet potatoes or add carrots and mushrooms.
- Add red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for a spicy kick.
- Use rosemary or oregano instead of thyme to change the flavor profile.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding broth if needed to keep moist.
- Freeze leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and check beef broth labels to keep it gluten-free.
- Melt butter and cook garlic gently to avoid burning and bitterness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg