Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes recipe is a cozy, flavorful, and beginner-friendly dinner made with tender beef, buttery garlic, and hearty potatoes. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for busy nights or comforting weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef pieces until browned on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per side. This helps seal in juices and builds rich flavor.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Cut the baby potatoes in half, ensuring they are all roughly the same size so they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Layer the Slow Cooker: Place the halved potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by the seared beef on top. This allows the potatoes to cook evenly and absorb the flavorful juices.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the beef and potatoes to infuse them with flavor.
- Add the Broth and Cook: Pour beef broth into the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are fork-soft.
- Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with fresh parsley or herbs if desired, and serve warm as-is or with your favorite side dish.
Notes
- Searing the beef first is optional but enhances the flavor. You can substitute the beef with pork shoulder or chicken thighs if desired.
- For more color and nutrients, add chopped carrots or green beans. To make it creamier, add a splash of heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg