Get ready to make your new favorite weeknight comfort meal: Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes! This dish combines tender chunks of beef and buttery potatoes bathed in a perfectly garlicky, herby sauce that guarantees everyone will be asking for seconds. Whether you need a cozy family dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck main, these savory bites deliver rustic charm and rich flavor, all made effortlessly in the slow cooker for stress-free cooking. If you love recipes that promise simple prep with drool-worthy results, this is absolutely one to keep on repeat.

Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need is a handful of simple pantry staples and a few fresh touches to create Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes. Each ingredient adds its own magic, working together for a meal that’s rustic, hearty, and full of comfort. Here’s exactly what brings this dish to life:

Beef stew meat (1.5 pounds): Tender beef, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking and ultimate flavor absorption.
Baby potatoes (1 pound): Halved for even cooking; their creamy texture soaks up all the buttery juices.
Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons): The base for the rich garlic butter sauce that coats every bite.
Garlic (3 cloves, minced): The real flavor star, adding a punchy, aromatic kick.
Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Layers in subtle sweetness and depth.
Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Provides warmth and a gentle smoky undertone.
Dried thyme (0.5 teaspoon): Delivers an earthy, aromatic note that makes the whole dish feel cozy.
Dried rosemary (0.5 teaspoon): Adds classic, fragrant flavor that pairs beautifully with beef.
Salt (0.5 teaspoon, or to taste): Enhances every other flavor—don’t skip it!
Black pepper (0.25 teaspoon): Rounds out the seasoning with a gentle kick.
Beef broth (0.25 cup): Keeps things incredibly moist and helps create the luscious sauce.
Olive oil (1 tablespoon): The key to a perfectly browned sear on the beef bites.

How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes

Step 1: Prep the Beef and Potatoes

Start by gathering every ingredient and getting a little prep out of the way: chop your beef into uniform, bite-sized pieces and halve all the baby potatoes. This small bit of prep means everything cooks evenly, and you’ll enjoy fork-tender, flavor-packed bites in every serving.

Step 2: Parboil the Potatoes (Optional But Recommended!)

If you want extra-creamy potatoes that soak up every last drop of the garlic butter sauce, take a few minutes to parboil them. Just pop them in boiling water for three to four minutes, then drain. This quick step helps them cook perfectly in sync with your beef.

Step 3: Sear the Beef for Flavor

Heat your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then quickly sear the beef bites until they’re deeply browned on all sides. This isn’t just about color—it’s about locking in flavor and adding that irresistible caramelization you want in perfect Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes.

Step 4: Whisk Up the Garlic Butter Sauce

Let the magic begin! In a small bowl, combine your melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. This fragrant sauce will transform your slow cooker meal into something truly memorable.

Step 5: Layer Everything in the Slow Cooker

Add your halved potatoes to the slow cooker, top them with your browned beef, then drizzle everything with the garlic butter sauce. Pour in the beef broth to keep things extra juicy—this blend creates those luscious, spoon-coating juices you’ll want to mop up later.

Step 6: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6 to 8 hours, or high for 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the beef effortlessly falls apart and the potatoes are perfectly tender. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly!

Step 7: Rest, Then Serve

Let the Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes rest for about 10 minutes in the slow cooker before serving. This little pause allows the flavors to marry and the sauce to thicken up just right, so every single bite is as rich and satisfying as possible.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes

Garnishes

Finish your Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives; the brightness lifts the rich flavors and makes everything look extra inviting. A dash of extra cracked black pepper or a touch of flaky sea salt just before serving elevates it even more.

Side Dishes

This dish truly is a one-pot wonder but, if you’d like, serve it alongside a crisp green salad or some simple steamed green beans for extra color and crunch. Warm, crusty bread is another irresistible option—perfect for soaking up all of that incredible garlic butter sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a weeknight feel, just serve straight from the slow cooker for a cozy family-style dinner. However, if you’re entertaining, try plating the beef bites and potatoes on a serving platter and topping them with herbs for a beautiful rustic presentation. Or, serve in individual bowls for a dinner party touch—every portion feels special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let your Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. They’ll keep wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days, making them perfect for easy lunches or second-night dinners.

Freezing

This dish is surprisingly freezer-friendly! Freeze in single or family-size portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator to maintain the texture and flavors when you’re ready to reheat and enjoy all over again.

Reheating

Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered oven-safe dish at 300°F until hot throughout. To keep everything moist, splash in a spoonful of beef broth or water before reheating and cover to prevent dryness—the potatoes and beef will taste freshly made!

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes?

Absolutely! While stew meat is convenient and budget-friendly, you can also use chuck roast, sirloin, or even ribeye for extra tenderness. Just remember to cut them into even, bite-sized pieces for best results.

Do I have to parboil the potatoes?

Parboiling is optional, but it helps ensure the potatoes cook evenly and have an irresistibly creamy texture. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, especially if your potatoes are small—just check that they’re fork-tender at the end.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Certainly! Carrots, sliced onions, or even bell peppers make fantastic additions. Just keep in mind that veggies with high water content may slightly thin the sauce, so adjust the broth if needed.

What’s the best way to keep beef bites tender?

Low and slow is key for tender beef in Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes. Cooking on low in the slow cooker for 6–8 hours breaks down the fibers perfectly, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth texture without drying out the meat.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

You sure can! Simply use a plant-based butter substitute and ensure any broth you use is dairy-free as well. The end result will still carry all that wonderful garlicky flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving homey, easy comfort food, Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes will definitely hit the spot. The aroma alone is enough to bring everyone to the kitchen, and each bite is a savory, buttery, soul-warming treat. Give this recipe a try the next time you want something guaranteed to delight—your future self (and all your dinner guests) will thank you!

Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 30 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Tender beef bites and flavorful potatoes cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Instructions

Prepare the Beef: Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and black pepper.
Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the beef until browned on all sides.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Mix melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
Combine Ingredients: In a slow cooker, place potatoes and seared beef. Pour the garlic butter sauce over them and add beef broth.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until beef is tender.
Serve: Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American