If you’re craving something cozy, bursting with flavor, and downright satisfying, this Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Tender beef cubes swimming in rich garlic butter sauce, paired perfectly with golden baby potatoes—comfort food just got a major upgrade!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Slow Cooking: Just prep and let your slow cooker do the magic while you relax.
- Rich, Flavor-Packed Sauce: The garlic butter blend infuses every bite with deep, buttery goodness.
- Perfectly Tender Beef Bites: The slow cooking ensures the beef turns melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Easy One-Pot Meal: Combining beef and potatoes keeps it simple without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe, simplicity is key. Each ingredient plays a starring role—juicy beef, crispy baby potatoes, and a luscious garlic butter sauce that brings the whole dish together beautifully.
- Beef stew meat: Cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and soak up all that delicious sauce.
- Baby potatoes: Halved to ensure they roast through nicely, adding a lovely soft and tender texture.
- Unsalted butter: The base of the garlic butter sauce, giving richness without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Garlic: Freshly minced to add that unmistakable punch of flavor that makes this dish addictive.
- Onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary: These herbs and spices layer the taste with warmth and a touch of smokiness.
- Beef broth: Keeps everything juicy and tender during slow cooking.
- Olive oil: For searing the beef bites to lock in flavor and create that beautiful brown crust.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Variations
The best part about this Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you want to swap ingredients for dietary needs or jazz up the flavors, it’s totally adaptable.
- Use chicken instead of beef: For a lighter option, swap beef stew meat with boneless chicken thighs—they’ll soak up the sauce just as beautifully.
- Add veggies: Toss in some chopped carrots or green beans during the last hour in the slow cooker for a wholesome meal.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat with your garlic butter.
- Dairy-free version: Substitute butter with olive oil or a dairy-free spread to keep it vegan-friendly.
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Ingredients
Start by cutting your beef stew meat into bite-sized pieces and halving the baby potatoes for even cooking. You can parboil the potatoes for a few minutes if you want them extra tender—totally optional but a nice touch!
Step 2: Sear the Beef
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef bites until nice and browned on all sides. This caramelization adds tons of flavor and keeps the beef juicy after slow cooking.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. This fragrant sauce is the heart of the dish, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor.
Step 4: Assemble in Slow Cooker
Layer the halved baby potatoes and seared beef in the slow cooker. Pour that glorious garlic butter sauce over the top, then add the beef broth to keep it juicy while cooking.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is beautifully tender and the potatoes have soaked up all those savory flavors. Then, let it rest a bit before serving to lock in the juiciness.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
- Don’t Skip Searing: Browning the beef first builds flavor and keeps the meat tender and juicy after slow cooking.
- Adjust Garlic to Taste: Feel free to add a couple more cloves if you really love that bold garlic flavor.
- Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: Swapping dried thyme and rosemary for fresh will brighten the dish even more.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Slow Cooker: Give the beef and potatoes room to cook evenly for the best texture.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of chives adds a vibrant green pop and a fresh note that balances the richness of garlic butter beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal veggies to add color and a touch of crunch, rounding out your meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the beef bites and potatoes in rustic ceramic bowls with extra garlic butter sauce drizzled on top. Or pop everything onto wooden boards for a casual, family-style vibe that’s perfect for sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it perfect for meal prep lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked beef bites and potatoes for up to 2 months. Cool completely before freezing in portioned containers, so you can thaw exactly what you need.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth to keep everything moist and tender—avoid overheating to prevent drying out the beef.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While beef stew meat is ideal for slow cooking, chuck roast cut into chunks or even brisket can work well. Just make sure it’s a cut that becomes tender over low-and-slow cooking.
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Is it necessary to sear the beef before slow cooking?
Searing isn’t mandatory but highly recommended. It locks in juices and adds a fantastic depth of flavor that you just can’t get from throwing raw beef straight into the slow cooker.
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Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can! Use the sauté function to brown the beef first, then slow cook with the lid closed on low pressure for about 35-40 minutes. Make sure to quick-release before opening.
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What can I substitute for baby potatoes?
You can use small Yukon Gold potatoes or fingerling potatoes cut into similar bite-size pieces. Just adjust cooking time slightly if they’re larger to ensure they cook through.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is pure comfort in every bite—perfect for cozy nights when you want something easy yet impressive. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a staple in your kitchen favorites!
PrintGarlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is a comforting slow-cooked dish featuring tender seared beef stew meat and baby potatoes simmered in a flavorful garlic butter sauce infused with aromatic herbs and smoked paprika. Perfectly seasoned and easy to prepare, this hearty meal offers rich, savory flavors that melt in your mouth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 1.5 pounds Beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound Baby potatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil, for searing
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried rosemary
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt, or to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Beef broth
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients. Cut the beef stew meat into bite-sized pieces and halve the baby potatoes for even cooking. Optionally, parboil the baby potatoes for a few minutes to soften them slightly.
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef bites and sear until browned on all sides, which helps to lock in flavors and improve texture.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create the flavorful garlic butter sauce.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the halved baby potatoes and seared beef in the slow cooker. Pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the top, then add the beef broth to keep the dish moist during cooking.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for about 10 minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld and juices redistribute before serving.
Notes
- Parboiling the potatoes before slow cooking is optional but helps them cook evenly and prevents them from becoming too mushy.
- Use fresh garlic if possible for a more vibrant garlic flavor.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- This dish can be made on high in the slow cooker to reduce cooking time without compromising tenderness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
