If you love steak but want a hands-off way to cook it, Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites are about to be your new best friend. Imagine perfectly tender chunks of steak, slow-cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce that’s infused with herbs, all cooked to perfection while you go about your day. It’s as simple as throwing everything into the slow cooker and letting it do all the work. The result? A flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What makes this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites recipe so amazing is that it combines the richness of garlic butter with the tenderness of slow-cooked steak. The slow cooker does the hard work, leaving you with perfectly cooked steak every time. It’s a super easy recipe that requires minimal prep, and it’s a great way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without any fuss. The garlic butter sauce is the real star here, making each bite full of savory goodness, and the best part is it’s so versatile—you can serve it over rice, pasta, or even with some crusty bread for dipping.
Ingredients
Here’s a sneak peek at the key ingredients (full list below):
- Sirloin steak or another cut of your choice
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Butter (because, well, everything is better with butter!)
- Fresh thyme and rosemary for that herb-infused flavor
- Soy sauce for a bit of savory depth
- Salt and pepper to taste
The full ingredient list and measurements are below. Let’s dive in!
Directions
Step 1: Prep the Steak
Start by cutting your steak into bite-sized cubes, making sure they’re all roughly the same size for even cooking. I love using sirloin for this, but you can use any tender cut of beef. Once your steak is cubed, season it generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Add to the Slow Cooker
Next, toss the steak cubes into your slow cooker. If you’re using fresh garlic, mince it finely and add it to the pot. Then, sprinkle in the fresh herbs—rosemary and thyme—either whole or chopped. These herbs really infuse the meat with flavor as it cooks.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add the soy sauce, stirring until everything is well combined. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, then pour the garlic butter sauce over the steak cubes in the slow cooker. It’ll smell amazing already!
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for about 4-5 hours. Check on it after 3 hours to see how it’s coming along—this is when the meat should be becoming nice and tender. You’ll know it’s done when the steak bites are soft and easily pierced with a fork, soaking up that rich garlic butter goodness.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once the steak is tender and ready, give everything a final stir. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed, adding more salt or pepper as you like. Serve your steak bites as a main dish with your favorite sides, or over rice, mashed potatoes, or even a salad for a lighter option. Don’t forget to spoon some of that garlic butter sauce over the top—it’s the best part!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Steak Tip: For extra tenderness, choose a cut like sirloin, ribeye, or tenderloin. If you’re using a tougher cut like chuck, just be sure to cook it long enough so it breaks down and becomes tender.
- Garlic Tip: Fresh garlic works best for that aromatic, flavorful kick. If you’re using pre-minced garlic, you can still add it, but the flavor might not be as pronounced.
- Herb Tip: Fresh herbs really make a difference in this dish, but if you only have dried herbs on hand, feel free to use those instead. Just reduce the amount by about half (1 tsp dried = 1 tbsp fresh).
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Steak Alternatives: While beef steak is the star of this recipe, you can easily swap it for chicken breast or pork tenderloin. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure they’re tender and cooked through.
- Butter Alternatives: If you’re looking to make this dish a bit lighter, you can swap the butter for olive oil or avocado oil. While it won’t have the same rich flavor, it’ll still work.
- Spicy Kick: If you like a bit of spice, toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely chopped jalapeño. It adds a nice zing to the dish without overpowering the garlic butter flavor.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites are delicious on their own, but they also pair beautifully with just about anything. Serve them over a bed of mashed potatoes for a cozy dinner, or spoon them over cooked rice to soak up all that flavorful sauce. For a lighter touch, you can pair them with a simple salad of mixed greens, or serve them alongside roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. If you’re feeling indulgent, serve with a side of garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This dish actually tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to meld together.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm the steak bites gently in a pan over low heat, adding a little splash of water or broth to keep it moist. You can also reheat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on the portion size.
FAQs
Can I use frozen steak? Yes! You can use frozen steak for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it first before cutting it into cubes. You can either thaw it overnight in the fridge or use the microwave to defrost it quickly.
Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot? Yes, you can make this in the Instant Pot! Use the sauté function to brown the steak cubes first, then add the garlic butter sauce and set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes. Quick release the pressure and serve!
Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! If you’re cooking for a crowd or want extra leftovers, you can easily double this recipe. Just be sure to use a larger slow cooker to accommodate the increased quantity.
Can I add vegetables? Yes! Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to the slow cooker. They’ll absorb the delicious garlic butter sauce and cook perfectly alongside the steak.
Conclusion
These Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites are a game-changer for anyone who loves juicy, tender steak but doesn’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without any fuss. Perfect for busy weeknights or even a casual dinner with friends, this dish is sure to become a go-to in your recipe collection. Serve it with your favorite sides, and get ready to dive into tender, garlicky goodness. Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites: The Easiest, Most Flavorful Steak Ever
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (on low)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
If you love steak but want a hands-off way to cook it, Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites are about to be your new best friend. This dish features tender chunks of steak slow-cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce infused with herbs. Minimal prep, maximum flavor—perfect for a hands-off dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Sirloin steak (or another tender cut of beef), cut into bite-sized cubes
- 4 cloves Garlic (fresh or minced)
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried rosemary)
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Steak: Cut steak into bite-sized cubes and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Add to the Slow Cooker: Place steak cubes in the slow cooker. Mince fresh garlic and add it to the pot. Add rosemary and thyme.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add soy sauce and simmer for 2 minutes, then pour over steak cubes in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until steak is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Serve and Enjoy: Stir the steak, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or a salad.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Fresh herbs (rosemary and thyme) are recommended, but dried herbs can be substituted (reduce by half).
- Optional to add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño for heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 of the recipe
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg