There is something so heartwarming and utterly satisfying about a dish that practically cooks itself while filling your home with mouthwatering aromas. The Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Recipe is exactly that kind of magic. Tender, flavorful beef mingles with perfectly cooked baby potatoes, all infused with rich garlic butter and savory seasonings for a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s an easy-to-love recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a comforting dinner everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on straightforward, wholesome ingredients that come together effortlessly yet deliver a magnificent burst of flavor in every bite. Each component plays a crucial role in balancing texture, aroma, and taste, creating an unforgettable slow cooker meal.
- Beef stew meat: Choose good-quality, well-marbled beef for tender, juicy bites that soak up all the flavors.
- Baby potatoes: Their creamy texture and thin skins make them perfect for slow cooking without falling apart.
- Onion soup mix: Adds a robust, savory flavor that acts like the backbone of the seasoning blend.
- Garlic powder: Boosts the garlicky notes throughout the dish, complementing the fresh garlic.
- Sea salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors without overpowering them.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and depth with every taste.
- Fresh garlic cloves (minced): Provides a bold, aromatic punch that melds into the rich butter sauce.
- Butter: The star ingredient that creates a luscious, silky coating for the beef and potatoes.
- Water or beef broth: Keeps everything moist while helping infuse the flavors deeply.
- Green beans: Added near the end for a fresh, crisp contrast to the tender meat and potatoes.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Slow Cooker and Ingredients
Begin by spraying the bottom of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. This simple step helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Then, rinse your baby potatoes if needed and trim your green beans. Get that minced garlic ready since it’s essential for building layers of flavor.
Step 2: Layer Beef and Potatoes
Add the beef stew meat and baby potatoes to the slow cooker. These two ingredients form the hearty base of the dish. Using stew meat ensures you’ll get tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites by the end of the cooking time.
Step 3: Season Generously
Sprinkle the onion soup mix, sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and minced garlic evenly over the meat and potatoes. Each seasoning is crucial: the soup mix delivers savory depth, while the garlic powders and fresh garlic infuse that iconic aroma you’re craving.
Step 4: Add Butter and Liquid
Drop the butter on top along with half a cup of water or beef broth. This creates a luscious garlic butter sauce and keeps everything tender. As the butter melts during cooking, it seeps into the beef and potatoes, enriching every bite.
Step 5: Let It Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Stir occasionally if you can. During this time, the beef becomes beautifully tender, and the potatoes soak up all that garlicky goodness.
Step 6: Add Green Beans and Finish Cooking
In the last hour or two of cooking, add the trimmed green beans along with a little extra butter if you like. This prevents the beans from getting soggy while allowing them to remain crisp and vibrant, offering a delightful textural contrast to the rest of the dish.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
To bring a final touch of freshness, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or a little chopped chive on top before serving. It not only brightens the dish visually but adds a subtle herbaceous note that complements the buttery richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
This dish is wonderfully complete on its own with the green beans included, but if you want to amp things up, a simple crisp salad or crusty garlic bread pairs beautifully. The bread is perfect for sopping up leftover garlicky butter sauce—trust me, you’ll want every drop!
Creative Ways to Present
For a rustic feel, serve everything right out of the slow cooker in a large, family-style bowl. Alternatively, plate individual portions with the beef, potatoes, and beans arranged neatly and drizzle some of the buttery sauce on top. Garnish with herbs for a restaurant-worthy presentation that’s surprisingly easy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors even deepen overnight, making the next day’s meal just as enjoyable. When storing, try to keep the green beans slightly separated if you want them to retain their crispness.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the beef and potatoes in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Be sure to blanch and freeze the green beans separately for best texture after thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Adding a small pat of butter during reheating can revive that silky garlic butter richness and keep the potatoes moist.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of beef in this recipe?
Absolutely! While stew meat works perfectly, you can substitute with chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces. Just keep in mind that cooking times might vary depending on the cut you choose.
Is it possible to make this recipe without butter?
You can try substituting butter with olive oil, but butter lends a unique richness and creamy texture that really defines the dish. For best results, stick to butter or a buttery substitute.
How do I prevent the potatoes from turning mushy?
Using baby potatoes helps because they hold their shape better during slow cooking. Also, resist overcooking by checking at the 3-4 hour mark on high or 6-7 hours on low and stirring occasionally to monitor texture.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Vegetables like carrots or mushrooms can be added at the beginning, while delicate ones like green beans and peas are best added near the end to avoid overcooking.
What if I don’t have an onion soup mix?
No worries! You can create a similar seasoning by mixing together dried onion flakes, beef bouillon powder, thyme, and a pinch of garlic powder to mimic the flavors of the mix.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the convenience and flavor packed into the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Recipe. This recipe turns humble ingredients into a soul-satisfying meal with minimal effort but maximum comfort. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend gathering, it’s sure to become a fast favorite worth making again and again. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy every buttery bite!
PrintSlow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Recipe
Tender slow cooker beef bites and baby potatoes cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce, complemented by fresh green beans. This easy one-pot meal is perfect for a comforting dinner with minimal effort, featuring rich flavors from onion soup mix, garlic, and butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup water (or beef broth)
Vegetables
- 1 pound green beans (trimmed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the bottom of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make clean-up easier.
- Add Main Ingredients: Place the beef stew meat and baby potatoes into the slow cooker, distributing them evenly.
- Season: Sprinkle the onion soup mix, sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and minced garlic over the beef and potatoes to infuse them with robust flavor.
- Add Butter and Liquid: Dot the butter over the top and pour in ½ cup of water or beef broth to help create a rich, flavorful sauce as it cooks.
- Slow Cook: Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the flavors meld and the beef becomes tender.
- Add Green Beans: In the last hour or two of cooking, add the trimmed green beans and extra butter if desired, so they stay crisp and vibrant without becoming soggy.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, substitute water with beef broth.
- Trim green beans just before adding to preserve their crunch.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
- Slow cooker times may vary depending on model; check beef tenderness to confirm doneness.
- Serve with crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.