Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker Recipe

If you’re craving a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner with minimal effort, Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker are pure magic! Tender beef, creamy Yukon potatoes, and a rich, garlicky butter sauce—all slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Trust me: after one bite, you’ll want to add this to your regular comfort food rotation!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker so irresistible? It’s the simple, no-frills ingredient list! Each staple brings its own magic—adding tenderness to the beef, heartiness to the potatoes, and a buttery richness that ties everything together.

• Beef Stew Meat (2 lbs): Choose well-marbled, bite-sized beef chunks—they become ultra-tender as they cook low and slow.
• Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes (1½ lbs): Their creamy texture and buttery undertones soak up all that glorious garlic butter sauce.
• Onion Powder (1 Tbsp): Adds savory depth and a gentle sweetness that enhances the entire dish.
• Garlic Powder (1 tsp): Doubles up on that warm, aromatic garlic flavor along with the fresh garlic—never too much garlic!
• Seasoned Salt (2 tsp): Provides balanced saltiness and subtle herbal notes; it’s the unsung seasoning hero.
• Chopped Garlic (1 Tbsp): Nothing beats real chopped garlic for those crave-able garlicky pops in every bite.
• Butter (5 Tbsp, cut in pads): The creamy base for your sauce, ensuring everything turns out rich, luscious, and full of flavor.

Variations

This dish is super flexible—so don’t be shy about switching things up to match your mood, what’s in your fridge, or any dietary needs. It’s unbelievably easy to personalize Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker, and every tweak puts your own delicious stamp on it!

• Use Chicken or Pork: Swap out the beef for cubed chicken thighs or pork loin for a lighter (but equally tasty) twist.
• Vegetable Add-Ins: Toss in halved mushrooms, carrots, or pearl onions to add color, nutrition, and flavor.
• Make it Dairy-Free: Sub the butter with a plant-based alternative for a creamy finish that fits vegan or dairy-free diets.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for a hint of warmth and complexity.

How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Arrange Beef and Potatoes

Add your beef stew meat to one half of your slow cooker insert and line up those baby Yukon gold potatoes along the other side. This method helps keep the textures distinct as they cook, so you get perfectly silky potatoes and bite-sized beef with every scoop.

Step 2: Generously Season Everything

Evenly sprinkle the onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt all over the beef and potatoes, then gently toss just the beef side to ensure every piece is coated. Take care to keep the potatoes and beef somewhat separate—they’ll mingle enough as they cook!

Step 3: Add Garlic and Butter

Sprinkle the chopped garlic evenly across the beef and potatoes. Dot pads of butter over the top—these will melt into a heavenly garlic butter sauce, infusing every bite with rich flavor.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours (or until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are creamy). When it’s done, spoon some of that buttery sauce from the bottom of the cooker over the beef and potatoes for the ultimate finishing touch!

How to Serve Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker

Garnishes

Finish your Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives. That little hit of green livens up each bite and makes the whole dish look restaurant-worthy. A dusting of cracked black pepper or a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top can make all the flavors pop, too!

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans to balance all that rich, garlicky goodness. Crusty bread (for swiping up every last drop of butter sauce) or buttered noodles are also fantastic choices. For extra comfort, try serving alongside roasted carrots or buttered peas.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker at a party? Thread beef and potatoes onto skewers for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. For a cozy family meal, pile everything into a large serving bowl, drizzle with the sauce, and let everyone dig in family-style. You can also portion into meal-prep containers for effortless, satisfying lunches throughout the week.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker and potatoes (with plenty of sauce) to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Keeping them together ensures the potatoes stay flavorful and moist.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze portions! Cool completely, then pack into freezer-safe containers or zip bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. For best texture, freeze the sauce separately if possible. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

For best results, gently reheat Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker on the stovetop over low heat (add a splash of broth or water if the sauce seems thick). You can also microwave individual portions in 60-second bursts, stirring between each until piping hot.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you give these Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker a try—there’s just something so satisfying about making a meal that’s effortless, comforting, and absolutely packed with flavor. Whether it’s a cozy Sunday or a hectic weeknight, it’ll bring smiles (and plenty of requests for seconds) to your table every time!

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