Name: Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes: Effortless Comfort in Every Bite
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-483841H54M42S
Total time: PT-483841H54M42S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Beef stew meat (or cubed sirloin): 1.5 pounds (680g); Baby potatoes (halved or quartered): 1.5 pounds (680g); Garlic (minced): 4-5 cloves; Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g); Olive oil: 1 tablespoon; Onion: 1 medium onion, chopped; Fresh thyme or rosemary: 3-4 sprigs (or 1 teaspoon dried); Salt: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste); Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon (adjust to taste); Beef broth: 1 cup (240ml); Worcestershire sauce: 1 tablespoon

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If you’re looking for a cozy, flavorful meal that practically cooks itself, you’ve got to try these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes. Tender chunks of beef, roasted to perfection with garlic butter, meld together with crispy potatoes for the ultimate comfort food. It’s the kind of meal you can toss in the slow cooker and forget about, only to return hours later to a warm, savory dinner ready to enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

This recipe is everything you need in a weeknight meal: simple, flavorful, and practically effortless. The beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender while the garlic butter infuses both the meat and potatoes with irresistible flavor. And the best part? The slow cooker does all the work! All you have to do is prep the ingredients, throw them in, and let the magic happen. Whether it’s a busy weekday or a lazy weekend, this dish will quickly become a go-to in your meal rotation.

Ingredients

(Full list of ingredients is available at the end of this post)

Beef stew meat (or cubed sirloin)
Baby potatoes (halved or quartered)
Garlic (minced)
Butter
Olive oil
Onion
Fresh thyme or rosemary
Salt and pepper
Beef broth
Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Prepare the Ingredients

Start by prepping your potatoes and beef. Wash and cut the baby potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size. You want them to cook evenly, so aim for similar sizes. Season the beef stew meat with salt, pepper, and any herbs you plan on using (fresh thyme or rosemary are great choices here).

2. Sear the Beef (Optional, but Worth It)

In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the beef for about 2-3 minutes on each side until it’s nicely browned. This step adds an extra depth of flavor, but if you’re in a rush, you can skip it and just add the raw beef to the slow cooker.

3. Assemble in the Slow Cooker

Add the seared (or raw) beef, halved potatoes, and chopped onion to the slow cooker. Sprinkle minced garlic over the top, and add a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary for that aromatic touch. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, then toss everything to combine.

4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add a bit more garlic (because why not?) and let it cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour the garlic butter over the ingredients in the slow cooker.

5. Slow Cook It

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for about 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are soft and infused with all the delicious garlic butter goodness.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Once your meal is ready, give everything a final stir. Serve the garlic butter beef bites and potatoes in bowls, and drizzle any extra sauce from the slow cooker over the top. It’s rich, savory, and absolutely mouthwatering.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Searing the Beef: While searing the beef is optional, it really enhances the flavor of the dish. The caramelization on the meat adds depth that makes this meal feel like it took a lot more effort than it actually did!
Add More Veggies: Feel free to throw in some other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or green beans to make the dish even more hearty.
Don’t Overcrowd the Slow Cooker: To ensure even cooking, make sure your slow cooker isn’t too packed. If needed, use a larger slow cooker or reduce the ingredients.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Different Cuts of Beef: If you can’t find stew meat, you can use cubed sirloin, chuck roast, or even ribeye. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the cut you choose.
Swap the Potatoes: If you prefer a different type of potato, feel free to use Yukon Gold or russet potatoes. Just make sure to cut them into chunks so they cook evenly.
Make it Spicy: For a little heat, you can add some red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce or include a sliced jalapeño to the slow cooker.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes is a hearty meal on its own, but it’s also great paired with a side salad to balance the richness. A fresh, tangy arugula salad with lemon dressing is perfect to cut through the buttery goodness. You could also serve it with some crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce or a simple green vegetable like sautéed spinach or steamed broccoli.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers (which, let’s face it, might be hard to come by), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will actually improve overnight as they meld together. To reheat, you can pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, or heat it up gently in a pan over medium-low heat, adding a little extra beef broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

4 FAQs

1. Can I cook this on low for longer?
Yes, you can! If you need to leave it cooking longer, you can safely cook this on low for up to 8 hours. The longer it cooks, the more tender the beef will become, so it’s hard to go wrong here.

2. Can I make this without beef broth?
You can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even water in place of beef broth. It won’t have the same depth of flavor, but it will still be delicious. For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

3. Can I cook this on high for a shorter time?
Yes! If you’re in a rush, you can cook this on high for about 3-4 hours. Just keep in mind that the beef may not be as tender as when it’s cooked on low for a longer period of time.

4. Can I use frozen beef for this recipe?
While you can use frozen beef, I recommend thawing it first for the best results. Frozen meat will release too much water, potentially affecting the texture of the final dish. Thawing it before cooking will allow the beef to sear and absorb the flavors better.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe is the definition of comfort food made easy. With minimal prep, you can have a rich, flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy days. Tender beef, buttery potatoes, and savory garlic come together to create a dish that’s sure to satisfy everyone around the table. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Ingredients

Directions

1. Prepare the Ingredients

2. Sear the Beef (Optional, but Worth It)

3. Assemble in the Slow Cooker

4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

5. Slow Cook It

6. Serve and Enjoy

Expert Tips and Tricks

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Storage and Reheating Tips

4 FAQs

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes: Effortless Comfort in Every Bite

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition