Succulent Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes

The aroma of this slow cooker beef chunks and potatoes fills your house with mouth-watering smells that'll make everyone ask when dinner's ready. Your beef gets super soft while it bathes in garlicky buttery goodness, and those potatoes suck up every bit of flavor. Just toss everything in, walk away, and let your cooker handle the hard work.

The first time I whipped this up, my family wiped their plates clean. I haven't seen any leftovers since. It's always the first empty dish at our family get-togethers.

Ingredients

• Beef chuck roast or sirloin cubes: These cuts turn incredibly tender during slow cooking. Go for pieces with good fat running through them for the juiciest results
• Salt and black pepper: These basics wake up the meat's natural taste. Grab your pepper grinder for the strongest kick
• Garlic powder: Gives you that all-over garlic taste. Make sure your jar isn't sitting in the pantry for years
• Smoked paprika: Adds that hint of smokiness. The Spanish kind works wonders if you can grab some
• Olive oil: For browning the meat. Extra virgin tastes smoothest. The browning step isn't mandatory but man, does it pump up the flavor
• Baby potatoes or Yukon Golds: Pick the waxy kind that won't fall apart. Look for smooth skins without green spots
• Butter: Go for the real unsalted stuff. Fancy butter makes the sauce extra special
• Fresh garlic: The punch from fresh-chopped garlic can't be beat. All six cloves really make this dish sing
• Thyme and rosemary: These give that homey, earthy flavor. Fresh smells amazing but the dried stuff works in a pinch
• Beef broth: Makes everything moist and tasty. If you watch your salt, grab the low sodium kind
• Worcestershire sauce: Kicks up the flavor with tangy goodness. Stick with the classics like Lea & Perrins
• Fresh parsley: For that pop of color. Brightens up the whole dish at the end
• Grated Parmesan: For that final touch if you want. Grate it yourself instead of using the pre-shredded stuff

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Beef:

Grab some paper towels and dry those beef chunks completely. This helps them brown nicely and grab onto the seasonings better. Scatter salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika all over, making sure to coat every piece. If you've got time, warm up some olive oil in a pan until it's good and hot, then brown the meat in small batches until it looks golden. This step isn't mandatory if you're rushing, but it makes everything taste way better

Prepare the Potatoes:

Give your potatoes a good wash, then cut the bigger ones into chunks. Throw them in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss them around. This way every potato gets its fair share of flavor and cooks the same

Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:

Get that butter all melted and runny. Stir in your chopped garlic, thyme, rosemary, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Give it a good stir so all those herbs float throughout the mixture

Assemble in the Slow Cooker:

Put your seasoned potatoes down first to make a bed at the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the beef pieces on top, spreading them out evenly. Pour your buttery garlic mixture all over so it covers everything

Cook:

Pop the lid on and pick your setting. If you go with low, let it cook for six to eight hours. Choose high and you'll need about three to four hours instead. The beef should fall apart when you poke it with a fork, and the potatoes should be soft but still holding their shape. Take a taste and add more salt or pepper if needed

Garnish and Serve:

Throw some parsley on top for a fresh touch before serving. If you're feeling fancy, sprinkle some Parmesan over everything. Serve it while it's hot with a simple salad on the side or some bread for soaking up the sauce

Save Pin

I can't get enough of the fresh garlic in this. Whenever I chop it up, I think about cooking in Grandma's kitchen where she always said garlic brings food to life. My kids always sneak into the kitchen just to get a whiff of this cooking.

Storage Tips

Put any extras in a covered container in the fridge and eat within four days. When you want to warm it up, pop it in the microwave or heat it in a pan with a little extra broth to keep it juicy. You can also split it into containers and freeze for up to three months if you want quick meals later on.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can throw in regular stew meat or even boneless short ribs for a bit more richness. Red potatoes work great too if you don't have Yukons handy. Don't stress if you're out of fresh herbs, the dried ones work just fine, just cut back to about a third of what the recipe asks for.

Serving Suggestions

This tastes amazing spooned over creamy mashed potatoes or even a pile of fluffy rice for double the comfort food vibes. It goes great with some simple green beans or a handful of buttered peas on the side. When I have friends over, I just put a big bowl in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in.

Save Pin

Cultural and Historical Context

You'll find slow-cooked beef in kitchens from Paris to rural America's Sunday dinner tables. The garlic butter twist in this version borrows from both French and Italian cooking styles. It feels like those old-time stews your grandma might have made but with an extra buttery upgrade that takes it to another level.

Common Questions

→ How can I make the beef extra tender?

Pick cuts with good fat marbling like chuck roast and let everything cook on low for many hours until the meat falls apart when poked with a fork.

→ Should I sear the beef before slow cooking?

Browning creates tastier meat through that yummy crust, but don't worry if you're rushed—just season your beef and throw it in directly.

→ Can I use different potatoes?

Sure thing. Little potatoes or Yukons are great because they stay creamy, but red ones or even big russets cut into chunks work too.

→ What herbs can be substituted for thyme and rosemary?

Try fresh or dried oregano or grab some Italian seasoning for a different herby kick that matches what you like.

→ How do I serve these garlic butter beef bites and potatoes?

Just scoop it straight from your slow cooker. Scatter some chopped parsley and cheese on top, then add some crusty bread or a side salad to round things out.

→ Can the dish be prepped ahead?

You bet! Cut and season your meat, mix up the garlic butter stuff, and get your potatoes ready the day before. Then just throw it all together when you're ready to cook!