This dish features tender beef bites cooked in rich garlic butter, paired with soft, fluffy potatoes. It’s a comforting meal that fills your home with yummy smells!
I love how easy this is! Just toss it all in the slow cooker and forget about it until dinner. It’s like your own magic cooking wizard that works while you relax. 🧙♂️
Ingredients & Substitutions
Beef stew meat: For this recipe, any tender cut of beef works well, like chuck or round. If you’re short on time, pre-packaged beef stew mixes can save you some effort!
Baby potatoes: I love using baby potatoes for their bite-sized beauty. If they aren’t available, feel free to use regular potatoes; just chop them up into smaller pieces for even cooking.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter gives you control over the saltiness of the dish. If you’re on a dairy-free diet, try using a plant-based butter or extra olive oil instead.
Garlic: Fresh garlic brings a great flavor, but if you happen to have garlic powder, you can use about 1 teaspoon instead. Just remember it’s not quite as strong!
Beef broth: If you don’t have beef broth, chicken broth works in a pinch. Even vegetable broth can be an option for a lighter flavor!
How Do You Make Sure The Beef is Tender?
Tender beef bites are the highlight of this dish, and there are a few tricks to ensure they’re super soft. First, the slow cooker does a wonderful job of breaking down the meat, but searing the beef before adding it to the slow cooker gives it an extra layer of flavor.
- Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Let the beef stew for the full low cooking time (6-7 hours) for best results.
- Add beef broth to keep moisture in and enhance tenderness.
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Beef and Potatoes:
- 2 lbs (900g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 lbs (700g) baby potatoes, halved or quartered if large
For the Garlic Butter Mixture:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Cooking:
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe requires about 15 minutes of prep time. After that, you’ll let it cook in the slow cooker for 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Perfect for a busy day where dinner is cooking itself while you take care of other things!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Make the Garlic Butter Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until it’s well combined and aromatic.
2. Coat the Beef Bites:
Add the beef stew meat to the garlic butter mixture and toss well to coat the beef evenly. This will ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
3. Sear the Beef Bites (Optional):
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the beef bites for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they are nicely browned. This step adds a delicious depth of flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
4. Place Beef in the Slow Cooker:
Transfer the seared beef bites into the slow cooker, spreading them out evenly at the bottom.
5. Prepare the Potatoes:
In the same bowl you used for the beef, toss the halved or quartered baby potatoes with the leftover garlic butter mixture until they’re evenly coated.
6. Add Potatoes to the Slow Cooker:
Layer the potatoes around and on top of the beef bites inside the slow cooker. This helps them soak up all that fantastic flavor!
7. Pour in the Broth:
Pour the beef broth over the mixture in the slow cooker. This will keep everything moist and add even more flavor.
8. Cook:
Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. By the end, the beef should be tender and the potatoes cooked through. You’ll love how good your kitchen smells!
9. Garnish and Serve:
When it’s time to serve, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a pop of color and freshness. It’s so simple, yet so satisfying!
10. Enjoy!
Serve warm and enjoy every bite of your savory, buttery garlic beef bites with tender potatoes. It’s comfort food at its best!
FAQ for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Can I Use Frozen Beef for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen beef, but it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight for even cooking. If you’re short on time, you can also thaw it in a sealed plastic bag submerged in cold water. Just remember to pat it dry before seasoning!
What Can I Substitute for Baby Potatoes?
While baby potatoes add great texture, you can substitute them with regular potatoes or even sweet potatoes. Just chop them into smaller pieces to ensure they cook through at the same rate as the beef.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if the mixture seems dry.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the beef and potatoes the night before and store them in the fridge in the garlic butter mixture. Cook them the next day in the slow cooker for a hassle-free dinner!
