Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites – Ultimate Slow Cooker Meal

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Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites (Slow Cooker Version) is one of those recipes that instantly feels like home. Whenever the weather turns crisp, or life just feels a bit too fast, I find myself reaching for my slow cooker — and more often than not, it’s to make this exact dish.

The first time I made it, I tossed stew meat, baby Yukon golds, and a generous helping of garlic and butter into the pot, set it on low, and hoped for the best. Six hours later, my kitchen smelled like heaven — buttery, garlicky, and deeply savory.

It’s an easy recipe with big payoff. Just season, layer, and slow cook your way to fall-apart beef perfection. And if you’re a garlic lover, don’t miss my Garlic Scapes Butter Recipe for another flavor-packed favorite.

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If you’re a fan of easy comfort food recipes, this one feels like a cousin to the Southern Squash Casserole I shared last fall — both slow-baked, heartwarming, and ideal for cozy nights in. And just like the Stuffed Zucchini with Spinach and Ricotta, these beef bites offer that satisfying balance of hearty and wholesome.

Why This Recipe Works So Well

So, what makes Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites such a winner?

• Effortless prep: You don’t need to brown the beef beforehand. Just season and go.

• Comfort food flavor: The garlic butter sauce slowly infuses every bite of meat and potato.

• Customizable: Prefer leaner meat? Sub with sirloin steak and adjust the cooking time.

• Perfectly portioned: This recipe feeds a family of six without needing sides, though you can always add a salad or warm bread.

Plus, since it’s made with just a few pantry staples, you likely have everything on hand already. This is one of those dishes that feels fancy, but doesn’t ask much of you — my kind of cooking.

Ingredients & Preparation

The Simple Ingredients That Bring Big Flavor

This recipe keeps things beautifully simple. Every ingredient plays a role in building that savory, buttery base that makes these Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites shine. You’ll only need six key items, most of which are probably already in your kitchen.

Here’s everything you’ll need:

Ingredient	Amount
Beef stew meat	2 pounds
Baby Yukon gold potatoes	1 1/2 pounds
Onion powder	1 tablespoon
Garlic powder	1 teaspoon
Seasoned salt	2 teaspoons
Chopped garlic	1 tablespoon
Butter (unsalted)	5 tablespoons, cut into pads

 

This no-fuss combo creates a rich, buttery broth while the beef and potatoes slowly tenderize in their flavorful bath. If you’re looking for a similar creamy garlic vibe with pasta, you’ll love my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Twisted Pasta. It uses pantry ingredients to whip up a hearty one-pot meal.

Tools & Easy Ingredient Swaps

You don’t need anything fancy to make this dish come to life. Here’s what I use:

• 6-quart slow cooker (manual or digital)

• Wooden spoon or spatula

• Slotted spoon for serving

Prefer leaner cuts? Swap stew meat for cubed sirloin steak — just reduce the cook time and monitor tenderness. For a deeper garlic punch, stir in a tablespoon of roasted garlic paste or compound butter (like the one in my Garlic Scapes Butter Recipe) at the end.

Cooking Instructions & Tips

Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Making these Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites couldn’t be easier. You don’t need to brown the meat or pre-cook anything — just layer and let the slow cooker do its thing.

Here’s how to make them:

1. Arrange the Ingredients: Place the beef stew meat on one half of your slow cooker, and the baby Yukon gold potatoes on the other. Try to keep them as separate as possible. This keeps the potatoes from turning mushy too early.

2. Season Generously: Sprinkle the onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt evenly over both the beef and the potatoes. Use a wooden spoon to carefully toss the beef side so it’s fully coated in seasoning.

3. Add Garlic & Butter: Sprinkle the chopped garlic over everything, then place the pads of butter across the top. The butter will melt down and create a luscious, garlicky sauce.

4. Set & Forget: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is tender enough to shred with a spoon, and the potatoes are fork-soft.

5. Serve It Up: Spoon the beef and potatoes onto plates, then drizzle some of the garlicky butter sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over each serving.

Want it faster? Use cubed sirloin steak instead of stew meat and cook on high for 4 hours. It’s a great option for weeknights.

Tips to Perfect It Every Time

• Keep the lid on! Resist opening the slow cooker while cooking — each time you do, heat escapes and slows the process.

• Use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness more easily.

• Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme during the last hour of cooking for a subtle herbal note.

• Want to repurpose leftovers? Dice up the beef bites and toss them into these Sticky Beef Noodles for an easy stir-fry twist the next day.

And if you’re a garlic lover like me, you’ll appreciate my 15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites — it’s the stovetop cousin of this recipe, and just as crave-worthy.

Serving, Storing & Pairing

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Beef Bites

These Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites are hearty enough to shine as a main dish all on their own, thanks to the buttery baby potatoes and rich beefy flavor. But if you want to round out the meal, there are so many cozy and colorful sides that complement them beautifully.

A crisp salad, like this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the beef. Its bright lemony dressing and crunchy veggies help balance the warm, savory bites.

For a more indulgent option, I love serving it alongside a simple vegetable roast — like the Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes, Carrots and Zucchini. It keeps the garlicky theme going while adding a nice variety of texture and color.

Want to get fancy? Serve the beef and potatoes over a bed of creamy mashed cauliflower or buttery rice. Either way, you’ll be spooning that garlic butter sauce over everything — and trust me, no one’s complaining.

How to Store and Reheat

These beef bites store beautifully, which makes them ideal for meal prep or next-day leftovers.

To store:
Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Make sure to spoon some of the buttery sauce into the container — it keeps the beef moist and flavorful.

To reheat:
Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat in the microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring between rounds.

For freezer storage, portion the beef and potatoes (with sauce) into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes! While stew meat is convenient and budget-friendly, cubed sirloin steak or chuck roast also work well. Just adjust the cook time slightly — sirloin cooks faster and stays juicy.

Can I cook it on high instead of low?
Absolutely. If you’re short on time, cook the beef bites on high for 4 hours. Just make sure the meat is tender before serving.

What kind of potatoes work best?
Baby Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape and have a buttery texture. If using red potatoes or fingerlings, leave the skin on and cut them into equal sizes for even cooking.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely! It tastes even better the next day. Store in the fridge for up to four days and reheat with a splash of broth or water.

Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
Yes, but timing matters. Root vegetables like carrots or parsnips work well when added at the beginning. For softer veggies like green beans or mushrooms, add them during the last hour to prevent overcooking.

Is it okay to double the recipe?
You can double it if your slow cooker is large enough (at least 8 quarts). Just make sure everything is spread evenly and not too tightly packed so the heat circulates properly. The cook time may increase slightly, so check for tenderness before serving.

Conclusion

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dish that requires so little effort and delivers so much flavor. These Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites (Slow Cooker Version) are one of those meals you’ll come back to again and again — especially on busy weeknights or chilly weekends when you want the comfort of a home-cooked dinner without the work.

From the fall-apart beef to the garlicky golden potatoes, every bite feels like a warm hug. Whether you serve it straight from the slow cooker or plate it with your favorite sides, this is one recipe that always satisfies.

If you loved this dish, I highly recommend trying my Slow Cooker Chicken with Mushroom Gravy for another cozy dinner, or the rich and comforting Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole as a side for your next roast.

Don’t forget to save this recipe and follow me on Pinterest for more easy, flavorful meals your family will love.

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