If you’re looking for a cozy, no-fuss dinner that feels like a warm hug, you’ll absolutely adore this Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe. I love how it practically cooks itself all day long, while filling the house with the most irresistible aroma. Whether you’re coming home from work or want a weekend meal that keeps everyone satisfied, this recipe is a total winner. Plus, the buttery garlic sauce? Oh man, it’s what dreams are made of.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Prep: Just toss everything in the crockpot and let it do the magic while you go about your day.
- Rich, Buttery Flavor: The garlic butter melds into the beef and potatoes for a deeply satisfying taste.
- Comfort Food Classic: It’s a family favorite that pleases both kids and adults alike.
- Versatile & Customizable: You can easily add veggies or spices to suit your style or what’s in your fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe comes from the few simple ingredients that play so well together, creating layers of flavor without requiring hours of hands-on work. When shopping, fresh garlic and good quality butter make a big difference, so don’t skimp there!
- Beef stew meat: Choose nicely marbled stew meat for tender, flavorful bites after slow cooking.
- Baby Yukon gold potatoes: These cook evenly and have creamy skins that taste great when slow-cooked in butter.
- Onion powder: Adds savory depth without needing fresh onions or chopping fuss.
- Garlic powder: In addition to fresh garlic, it boosts that garlic punch throughout the dish.
- Seasoned salt: A blend saves you time and layers in great seasoning quickly.
- Garlic, chopped: Fresh garlic on top gives a fresh burst of flavor and aroma as it cooks.
- Butter: Cut into pads, so it melts evenly and bastes the beef and potatoes beautifully.
Variations
I like to play around with this Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe depending on what’s in season or what my family is craving. It’s a flexible canvas that stays delicious no matter the tweaks.
- Smoky Twist: Adding a dash of smoked paprika before cooking gives the beef a subtle smoky undertone that’s become a household favorite in my kitchen.
- Veggie Boost: Toss in green beans or baby carrots during the last hour to sneak in extra veggies—my kids actually loved this addition!
- Herb Infusion: Fresh thyme or rosemary added with the garlic can freshen things up for a more aromatic profile.
- Low Carb: Swap out the potatoes for cauliflower florets and you’ve got a keto-friendly version everyone will enjoy.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Layer Your Ingredients
Start by placing the beef stew meat on one half of your crockpot and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other. I’ve found that keeping them separated helps everything cook more evenly and lets the potatoes soak in just the right amount of seasoning without becoming mushy. Then sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt evenly over both sides. Gently toss the beef to coat it without mixing it into the potatoes.
Step 2: Add Fresh Garlic and Butter
Sprinkle the chopped fresh garlic evenly over both the meat and potatoes—you want that fresh garlicky flavor to infuse the whole dish. Next, place pads of butter all over the crockpot, covering both the beef and potatoes. This butter melts down to create that signature garlic butter sauce that I absolutely love. It’s the secret to why this recipe tastes so indulgent with minimal effort.
Step 3: Slow Cook and Serve
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Patience pays off here: the beef turns melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the potatoes come out perfectly soft. When the timer goes off, carefully spoon the garlicky butter sauce from the bottom over the beef and potatoes—this extra step amps up the flavor in every bite. Serve immediately while warm, and get ready for all the compliments coming your way!
Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
- Keep Meat Separate From Potatoes: I’ve learned that layering the beef on one side and potatoes on the other helps them cook at just the right speed and texture.
- Butter Distribution Matters: Cutting butter into small pads ensures it melts evenly over the entire dish, creating that luscious sauce.
- Timing Your Cook: Check your slow cooker after 5½ hours the first time you make this, just in case your crockpot runs hot or the beef is on the smaller side.
- Garlic Freshness: Using fresh garlic on top (not just powder) adds a vital, vibrant flavor you don’t want to skip.
How to Serve Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling freshly chopped parsley or chives on top right before serving. It adds a pop of color and a subtle freshness that balances the richness of the butter. Sometimes a little sprinkle of cracked black pepper finishes it perfectly, especially if you like a bit more heat.
Side Dishes
This dish is hearty on its own, but I often pair it with a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal veggies. Steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon add a lovely bright contrast, or if I’m feeling indulgent, a slice of crusty bread to soak up every last drop of garlic butter sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I sometimes serve the beef bites on a wooden board with small bowls of dipping sauces—like horseradish cream or tangy mustard—to create a fun, interactive dining experience. Pair with rustic bread and a glass of red wine, and you’ve got a simple yet elegant meal that feels extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The beef stays tender, and the potatoes soak up even more of that delicious garlic butter flavor as they rest overnight—making for an even tastier next-day meal.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well, too. Just cool it completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to make sure the butter sauce re-melts evenly. If needed, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and keep things juicy.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While beef stew meat is ideal for its tenderness after slow cooking, you can also use chuck roast cut into cubes. Just make sure to adjust your cooking time slightly based on the size of the pieces.
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Do I have to keep the potatoes separate from the beef?
Keeping them separate isn’t mandatory, but I recommend it to ensure the potatoes don’t overcook or become mushy. It also helps the beef and potatoes soak up the right amount of seasoning independently.
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Can I add other vegetables to this crockpot recipe?
Yes! Green beans, carrots, or pearl onions work well. Add them during the last hour of cooking to avoid over-soft veggies.
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Is this recipe freezer friendly?
Definitely. Let the dish cool completely before freezing in portions for easy future meals that reheat well without sacrificing flavor.
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Can I cook this on high instead of low?
You can, but slow cooking on low for 6 hours yields the best tender texture. If you’re short on time, cook on high for 3-4 hours but check frequently to avoid drying out the beef.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want hearty comfort food without a lot of fuss. It’s the kind of meal you’ll look forward to all day, especially when your house starts smelling like garlic butter heaven. I hope you’ll try it out, make it your own with your favorite tweaks, and enjoy the cozy, satisfying flavors just like my family and I do. Trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want on repeat.
PrintCrockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes recipe combines tender beef stew meat and baby Yukon gold potatoes slow-cooked to perfection in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. Seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt, then topped with chopped garlic and butter pads, this hearty and comforting dish requires minimal prep and is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or meal prep.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1½ pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
Fats
- 5 tablespoons butter, cut into pads
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot: Place the beef stew meat into one half of the crockpot and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other half, keeping them separated.
- Season the ingredients: Evenly sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt over both the beef and potatoes to ensure full coverage of flavors.
- Toss the beef: Gently toss the beef pieces to coat them evenly in the seasoning, being careful to keep the beef and potatoes separated inside the crockpot.
- Add garlic and butter: Sprinkle the chopped garlic on top of both the beef and potatoes then place butter pads evenly over the entire dish to enhance richness and flavor.
- Cook low and slow: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on the low setting for 6 hours, allowing the beef and potatoes to become tender and infused with garlic butter goodness.
- Serve: Once cooking is complete, spoon the garlic butter sauce from the bottom of the crockpot over the beef and potatoes. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika to the beef before cooking.
- To add vegetables, mix in green beans or carrots during the last hour of cooking for a veggie twist.
- This recipe works well for meal prep, as the flavors develop further when refrigerated and reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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