If you are looking for an irresistibly comforting and flavorful dish to cozy up your dinner table, you have to try this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Recipe. This dish brings together tender, juicy beef stew meat and soft baby Yukon gold potatoes, all infused with a buttery garlic essence that makes every bite pure bliss. It’s the perfect slow cooker meal that’s both easy to prepare and deeply satisfying, making it an instant family favorite or a delightful meal to impress your guests without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential, working together to deliver amazing taste, mouthwatering texture, and a beautiful golden color. Each component plays its part in creating that rich, garlicky butter sauce that clings perfectly to the beef and potatoes.
- 2 pounds beef stew meat: Choose well-marbled beef for tenderness and rich flavor after slow cooking.
- 1 1/2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes: These creamy potatoes hold their shape and soak up all the buttery garlic goodness.
- 1 tablespoon onion powder: Adds a subtle sweet onion flavor that boosts the overall savory profile.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Enhances the garlic aroma, complementing the fresh garlic perfectly.
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt: Balances the dish with its mix of salt and spices, elevating every ingredient.
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped: Fresh garlic delivers that punch of pungent, fragrant flavor that’s key here.
- 5 tablespoons butter, cut into 1 tablespoon pads: Gives the dish richness and creates a luscious sauce as it melts slowly.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Start by placing the beef stew meat on one side of your slow cooker and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other. This keeps them somewhat separated but ensures they cook evenly. Then sprinkle the onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt evenly over both the beef and potatoes. This seasoning step is crucial as it builds the foundation for the bold, savory flavors in every bite.
Step 2: Toss the Beef with Seasoning
Carefully toss the beef side of the slow cooker to evenly coat all the pieces with the seasonings, being careful not to mix in the potatoes. This gentle tossing ensures that the beef is fully flavored without disturbing the potatoes, allowing both to cook beautifully side by side.
Step 3: Add Fresh Garlic and Butter
Sprinkle the chopped garlic evenly over the top of everything. Then place the butter pads across the meat and potatoes, making sure they’re spread out. As the cooker warms up, the butter will melt down and mingle with the juices, creating that dreamy garlic butter sauce that gives this recipe its name and unforgettable taste.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow and gentle cooking time allows the beef to become melt-in-your-mouth tender and the potatoes to soften without turning mushy. When the time is up, you’ll have a perfectly cooked, aromatic meal ready to enjoy, with a buttery sauce waiting to be spooned over the top.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Recipe
Garnishes
To brighten up the plate and add a fresh note, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or chives over the beef bites just before serving. The vibrant green not only looks beautiful against the golden potatoes and beef but adds a subtle herbal freshness that cuts through the richness beautifully.
Side Dishes
Since this recipe is hearty on its own, I love pairing it with a simple side of steamed green beans or a crisp garden salad. The crunchiness and slight bitterness of greens create a pleasant contrast to the butter-soaked beef and potatoes.
Creative Ways to Present
For an inviting presentation, serve the beef bites on rustic wooden boards with small bowls of extra garlic butter sauce on the side for dipping. Alternatively, layering the beef and potatoes in a shallow serving dish and drizzling additional melted butter on top makes for a stunning centerpiece that invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover garlic butter beef bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making the leftovers just as delicious, if not better.
Freezing
If you want to save some for longer, this recipe freezes well. Portion the leftovers into freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible before freezing. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months and be perfect for a quick meal on a busy day.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to revive the sauce and prevent dryness. You can also reheat in the microwave, covered, stirring occasionally to heat evenly and maintain that tender texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! While stew meat works best for tenderness, chuck roast cut into cubes or other braising cuts will also produce delicious results when slow-cooked with the garlic butter.
Do I need to brown the beef before slow cooking?
Not necessarily. This recipe skips browning to keep it super simple, and the long slow cook time ensures the beef becomes tender and flavorful without that extra step.
What if I don’t have baby Yukon gold potatoes?
You can substitute with small red potatoes or fingerlings. Just try to use potatoes that hold their shape well during slow cooking to avoid mushiness.
Can I make this recipe in an instant pot?
Yes, you can adapt it for the instant pot by using the sauté function to briefly brown the meat if desired, then pressure cooking for about 35 minutes with a natural release.
Is this dish spicy?
No, this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Recipe is mild and savory, focusing on the rich garlic butter flavors without heat. You can always add red pepper flakes if you want a little kick!
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Recipe is my go-to when I want a flavorful, comforting meal that requires almost no hands-on time. The way the beef and potatoes soak up all that garlicky buttery goodness is just irresistible. I promise, once you try it, it will become one of your favorite slow cooker dishes to make again and again. Give it a whirl, and get ready for some seriously happy taste buds!
Print
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and tender Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites paired with baby Yukon gold potatoes, seasoned with a blend of onion and garlic powders, then slow-cooked to perfection in butter-infused juices. This easy 6-hour slow cooker recipe delivers a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 1/2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
Butter
- 5 tablespoons butter, cut into 1 tablespoon pads
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the beef stew meat evenly in one half of the slow cooker and the baby Yukon gold potatoes in the other half.
- Season the ingredients: Evenly sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt over both beef and potatoes. Carefully toss the beef side to coat all the meat while trying to keep it separate from the potatoes.
- Add garlic and butter: Evenly distribute the chopped garlic over the top, followed by the butter pads placed on top of the beef and potatoes.
- Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours until the beef is tender and fully cooked through.
- Serve: Spoon the flavorful sauce collected at the bottom of the slow cooker over the beef bites and potatoes before serving. Enjoy your hearty meal!
Notes
- For best results, use baby Yukon gold potatoes as they cook evenly and absorb flavors well.
- If you prefer spicier flavors, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
- This dish can be paired nicely with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Make sure not to lift the slow cooker lid during cooking as it prolongs cooking time.
