Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food experience featuring tender, juicy beef and perfectly cooked potatoes in a rich, garlicky butter sauce. The Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is a deliciously simple dish that transforms humble ingredients into a mouthwatering meal you’ll want to make again and again. Slow-cooked to perfection, this recipe melds hearty flavors with a silky, buttery sauce that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things straightforward with ingredients that are easy to find yet essential for creating layers of flavor and pleasing textures. Each ingredient brings something special to the table, whether it’s the succulent beef, aromatic herbs, or creamy butter that creates that irresistible sauce.
- Beef stew meat (2 lbs): Choosing well-trimmed beef stew cubes ensures tender bites after slow cooking.
- Baby potatoes (1.5 lbs): Halved for quick, even cooking and a lovely balance of softness and bite.
- Butter (4 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps create that luscious garlic butter sauce.
- Garlic (5 cloves, minced): Provides a fragrant, savory base that pairs beautifully with beef.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Perfect for searing the beef and locking in flavor before slow cooking.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the natural flavors of beef and potatoes.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds gentle spicy warmth without overpowering.
- Dried thyme (1 teaspoon): Lends an earthy, herbal aroma that complements the meat.
- Dried rosemary (1 teaspoon): Brings a piney fragrance that elevates the overall flavor.
- Smoked paprika (1/2 teaspoon): Adds subtle smokiness and color.
- Beef broth (1/4 cup): Keeps everything moist and infuses a deep meaty taste as it cooks.
- Fresh parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped): For garnish, providing a fresh pop of color and herbaceous finishing touch.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Sear the Beef
Start by patting your beef stew meat cubes dry with paper towels. This simple step is key because dry meat browns better, which means more flavor. Next, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes in batches, allowing each side to develop a beautiful brown crust. This process takes about 3-4 minutes per batch and adds a depth of flavor you won’t want to skip. Once browned, transfer the beef directly into your crockpot.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic in Butter
Using the same skillet, toss in the butter slices and minced garlic. Sauté them together for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the garlic becomes aromatic and golden but not burnt. This garlic butter mix is what ties the entire dish together with its rich, savory notes. Pour this fragrant mixture straight over the beef in your crockpot for an immediate flavor boost.
Step 3: Season the Beef
Sprinkle salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and smoked paprika evenly over the beef and garlic butter. Toss gently to coat every bite of beef with the vibrant seasoning blend. These herbs and spices balance the richness of the butter and beef perfectly, creating a warmly spiced yet fresh flavor profile.
Step 4: Add Potatoes and Broth
Nestle the halved baby potatoes among the beef cubes in the crockpot. Then, pour in the quarter cup of beef broth. The broth helps distribute heat uniformly and keeps the potatoes and beef tender and juicy during the long cooking process. It also ensures the flavors marry beautifully while the dish simmers away.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Seal your crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Slow cooking allows the beef to become melt-in-your-mouth tender and the potatoes to absorb all those wonderful garlicky, buttery flavors. It’s the perfect way to go hands-off while still ending up with a dish that feels lovingly prepared.
Step 6: Final Touch and Serve
Once your Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is done cooking, give everything a gentle stir to combine all the juices and seasonings. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley to add a burst of fresh color and herbaceous brightness that complements the richness beautifully.
How to Serve Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a classic garnish that brightens the dish while adding a lively green contrast against the rich beef and potatoes. You could also try a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan or a few red chili flakes for a bit of kick if you’re feeling adventurous.
Side Dishes
This dish is hearty enough to stand on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, consider pairing it with a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal vegetables. A crusty slice of bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce is always a winner, too.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe over buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta. You could also plate it in mini cast iron skillets for an elegant yet rustic presentation that’s perfect for dinner parties or cozy family meals.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain the moist texture of the beef and freshness of the potatoes.
Freezing
If you want to save your leftovers for longer, freeze them in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty bag. This dish freezes well for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to retain the tender texture and flavors.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to warm everything evenly. Adding a splash of beef broth or water while reheating helps to keep the beef tender and prevents the potatoes from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute beef stew meat with chuck roast cut into cubes, as it’s similarly tender when slow-cooked. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin, which can dry out in the crockpot.
Do I have to sear the beef first?
Searing adds a depth of flavor and a lovely brown crust, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step. The beef will still turn out tender but the flavor may not be as rich.
Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Absolutely! Just cut regular potatoes into 1 to 2-inch chunks so they cook evenly alongside the beef.
Is it okay to cook this recipe on high for fewer hours?
Yes, cooking on high for 4 to 5 hours works well if you’re in a hurry, but low and slow will give you the most tender, flavorful results.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Feel free to add carrots, mushrooms, or green beans in the last two hours of cooking for extra nutrition and flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a fuss-free meal that feels like a homemade hug, the Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is your new best friend. Its ease, flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth texture make it a fantastic dinner for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Give this recipe a try—you might just find it becoming a staple in your meal rotation!
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Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 8h 0m
- Total Time: 8h 20m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes recipe offers a hearty and comforting meal featuring tender beef cubes cooked slowly with baby potatoes in a rich garlic butter sauce. Infused with aromatic herbs and spices, this dish is perfect for a hands-off dinner that results in flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth beef and perfectly cooked potatoes.
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes, halved
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter, sliced into pieces
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Pat the beef stew meat cubes dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure good browning during searing.
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in batches, searing each side for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned. Transfer the seared beef to the crockpot.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter: In the same skillet, add sliced butter and minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Add Garlic Butter to Crockpot: Pour the garlic butter mixture over the browned beef cubes in the crockpot.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and smoked paprika over the beef. Toss gently to coat the meat evenly with the seasonings.
- Add Potatoes and Broth: Place the halved baby potatoes into the crockpot along with the beef. Pour in the beef broth to add moisture and flavor.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
- Finish and Garnish: Stir the mixture gently to combine all flavors. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a fresh, colorful touch.
Notes
- Drying the beef before searing helps achieve better browning and deeper flavor.
- Searing the beef in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures even cooking.
- Do not burn the garlic when sautéing to avoid bitterness; cook just until fragrant.
- Use baby potatoes for even cooking and tenderness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This recipe is slow cooker friendly and requires minimal hands-on time once ingredients are prepared.
