I still remember the first time I tried this slow cooker garlic butter beef bites and potatoes recipe. I had only three ingredients prepped before dashing out the door, and when I came home, the house smelled like a hug. This wasn’t just any steak and potato dish; it was comfort turned up to eleven. And if you love hearty holiday-worthy meals, you’ll also enjoy my Prime Rib Christmas Dinner Recipe for special occasions.
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Why This Slow Cooker Recipe Works
What makes this recipe stand out (and why it has been tagged on Pinterest, TikTok, and JustWorthy) is the garlic-butter infusion and the set-and-forget ease. It is part “easy crockpot steak bites” convenience and part soul-satisfying dinner. The potatoes cook right alongside the beef with no extra effort and no extra dishes. Because the flavors meld slowly, you get tender, flavorful bites that taste gourmet even though they are effortless. If you like simple, hearty dinners like this, check out my Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe for another family favorite.
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1½ lb beef sirloin or chuck roast cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 lb baby potatoes or Yukon Gold halved or quartered
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves minced (or 2 tsp garlic paste)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep your slow cooker: Lightly grease the crock or use a non-stick liner.
- Combine garlic butter: In a bowl, whisk melted butter, garlic, Worcestershire, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Layer the slow cooker: Spread the potato pieces on the bottom. This echoes how many “slow cooker garlic butter beef bites and potatoes all” recipes build flavors from the base up.
- Add beef: Nestle the beef bites over the potatoes.
- Pour sauce: Drizzle the garlic butter mixture evenly over beef and potatoes—this ensures every nugget soaks up that rich garlic butter.
- Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours until beef is tender and potatoes are soft.
- Finish & garnish: Before serving, sprinkle chopped parsley. Stir gently so potatoes don’t fall apart.
Notes
- Use well marbled beef for the best tenderness.
- Yukon Gold potatoes hold shape and absorb flavor nicely.
- For extra garlic flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder in the last 30 minutes.
- If you like light crisp edges, place cooked beef and potatoes under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen once cooled.
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Total Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Ingredients You’ll Need for Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes
- Beef sirloin or chuck roast – choose well-marbled cuts for tenderness and flavor.
- Baby potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes – hold their shape well and soak up the garlic butter beautifully.
- Unsalted butter – creates that rich, velvety garlic-butter sauce without overpowering salt.
- Fresh garlic cloves or garlic paste – fresh gives a punchy bite, while paste blends in smoothly.
- Worcestershire sauce – adds depth and a subtle umami boost.
- Dried thyme or fresh thyme – earthy, aromatic, and balances the richness of the butter.
- Salt and black pepper – essential for seasoning and enhancing every bite.
- Fresh parsley – for a pop of color and freshness at the end.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes
Step 1: Prep your slow cooker
Lightly grease the crock with a touch of oil or cooking spray, or line it with a slow cooker liner if you want a fuss-free cleanup later. This step makes washing up so much easier after dinner.
Step 2: Make the garlic butter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and black pepper. This golden mixture is the heart of the recipe. It infuses both the beef and potatoes with rich, savory garlic-butter flavor.
Step 3: Layer the potatoes
Spread your halved or quartered potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. Potatoes act like little sponges, soaking up the flavors as everything cooks. Starting with them at the base also prevents them from floating up and overcooking.
Step 4: Add the beef bites
Place the beef pieces gently on top of the potatoes. Nestling them in ensures they will cook evenly and stay juicy. Use well-marbled cuts if you can since those ribbons of fat melt down and give you melt-in-your-mouth bites.
Step 5: Pour the garlic butter sauce
Take your bowl of garlicky butter sauce and drizzle it evenly over the beef and potatoes. Make sure every corner gets covered so each bite carries that buttery, herby flavor. A spatula helps scrape out every last drop so nothing is wasted.
Step 6: Slow cook to perfection
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook:
- On Low for 6 to 7 hours if you are out for the day and want everything tender by dinnertime.
- On High for 3 to 4 hours if you are short on time but still want those rich flavors.
Step 7: Finish with fresh parsley
Right before serving, sprinkle in some chopped parsley. It adds a pop of color and freshness that balances all the rich, slow-cooked flavors. Stir gently with a wooden spoon, being careful not to mash the potatoes.
Pro Tips and Easy Variations for slow cooker beef bites and potatoes
- Meat choices : roast is my go-to because it gives the most tenderness and great value. If you want something a little fancier, sirloin or ribeye cut into bite-sized pieces will work beautifully too.
- Potato options : Baby golds hold their shape best and come out buttery soft. Russets may break down more, but that can be a bonus since they naturally thicken the sauce and make it extra rich.
- Herb swaps : Thyme is classic, but don’t be afraid to play around. Rosemary, oregano, or even a little fresh tarragon can change the aroma in delicious ways.
- Garlic punch : If you are a garlic lover like me, go ahead and toss in another clove. You can also stir in a teaspoon of garlic powder toward the end for an extra kick of flavor.
- Crisp finish : Once everything is done, try sliding the slow cooker insert under the broiler for just a couple of minutes. It gives the beef a golden edge and the potatoes a little crisp, almost like turning it into “garlic butter steak bites and potatoes in the oven.”
FAQs About Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Recipes
Q: Can I prepare this recipe the night before?
A: Yes! Assemble everything in the slow cooker, cover, and refrigerate. Letting it sit overnight deepens the flavors. In the morning, pop it on low and dinner’s ready by evening.
Q: Is “slow cooker garlic butter beef bites and potatoes recipe” freezer-friendly?
A: Absolutely. Once cooled, transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and heat in the oven (350 °F for about 20 min) or back in the slow cooker on low until heated through.
Q: How do I avoid soggy potatoes?
A: Use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or baby reds—they hold their shape. Also, avoid cutting them into too-tiny pieces, quartered or halved is just right.
Q: Can I make this on the stovetop or oven instead of a slow cooker?
A: Sure! It becomes a stovetop-friendly skillet meal: sauté garlic in butter, add browned beef bites, then potatoes and a splash of broth. Cover and simmer 25–30 min. Or roast in a 400 °F oven: mix everything in a baking dish and bake 30–35 min until golden and tender—hello, “garlic butter steak bites and potatoes in oven”!
Q: Why is it trending as “justworthi”?
A: The “justworthi” tag (you might’ve seen “slow cooker garlic butter beef bites and potatoes justworthi”) refers to the idea that this meal is simply just worth it: fuss-free, family-pleasing, and utterly delicious.