Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is the ultimate comfort meal for those cozy evenings when you want something satisfying, flavorful, and effortless. Tender chunks of beef and buttery-soft potatoes soak up a decadent garlic butter sauce, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. This all-in-one dish brings together rich, savory flavors and hearty textures you’ll crave year-round.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how a handful of straightforward, everyday ingredients can come together to create such a crave-worthy dinner. Each staple plays a starring role—whether it’s setting the foundational flavor or lending the perfect finishing touch—for Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes.
- Beef stew meat: Cut into bite-sized pieces for fast, even cooking and extra tenderness in every mouthful.
- Baby potatoes: Halved so they soak up all the luscious sauce while becoming fork-tender.
- Unsalted butter: Melted for that classic garlic butter flavor and a silky sauce.
- Garlic: Minced, so it infuses every bite with robust, aromatic flavor.
- Onion powder: Adds a subtle sweetness and deepens the overall taste profile.
- Smoked paprika: Brings a smoky, earthy note that perfectly complements the beef.
- Dried thyme: Provides herbal warmth and a hint of citrus.
- Dried rosemary: Sharpens the aroma and gives each bite a touch of fragrant magic.
- Salt: Essential for amplifying all the savory flavors—season to taste.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right amount of gentle heat and depth.
- Beef broth: Keeps everything moist and helps meld those mouthwatering flavors together.
- Olive oil: Ensures the beef browns beautifully for that irresistible crust.
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by gathering all your ingredients and grabbing a sharp knife. Chop the beef into bite-sized pieces and halve your baby potatoes—this simple prep sets you up for a dish where every forkful delivers balanced, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Step 2: Parboil the Potatoes (Optional for Ultra Tenderness)
If you’re after unbelievably soft potatoes, give them a quick parboil. Just a few minutes in boiling water is all it takes to get them started, ensuring they’ll be tender and infused with flavor by the end of cooking.
Step 3: Sear the Beef Bites
Heat a splash of olive oil in a hot skillet and sear the beef pieces until they’re beautifully browned on all sides. This step locks in the juices and builds incredible flavor—don’t skip it, your taste buds will thank you!
Step 4: Mix Up the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, blend that enticing melted butter with minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. This quick sauce is the secret weapon that sets Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes apart, adding layers of rich, herby, and garlicky flavor.
Step 5: Layer Everything in the Slow Cooker
Next, transfer the halved baby potatoes and seared beef into your slow cooker. Drizzle the glorious garlic butter sauce right over the top and finish with beef broth—it’s a flavor avalanche waiting to happen.
Step 6: Let the Slow Cooker Work its Magic
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or crank it up to high for a quicker 3-4 hour meal. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is fork-tender and those potatoes are buttery-soft. The anticipation is part of the fun!
Step 7: Rest Before Serving
Once it’s finished, turn off the slow cooker and let everything rest for about 10 minutes. This little pause allows the juices to settle, ensuring each serving of Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is luscious and never dry.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley or chives make a lovely finish for Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes, brightening up the dish with color and a delicate herby pop. A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a squeeze of lemon can also add the perfect final touch.
Side Dishes
This dish is an all-in-one meal, but it pairs wonderfully with crisp green salads, steamed broccoli, or roasted carrots. If you’re in a comfort food mood, serve alongside some warm, crusty bread to mop up all that extra garlic butter sauce—trust me, you’ll want every drop!
Creative Ways to Present
For an elevated dinner-party presentation, try serving Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes straight from a cast-iron skillet at the table. Or, skewer a few beef bites and potatoes onto cocktail picks for delicious, shareable appetizers. Even nestled inside a toasted bun, these buttery bites make for an unforgettable sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep beautifully! Once cooled, transfer your Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes to an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay tasty and moist for up to three days, making them a perfect meal prep option.
Freezing
For longer storage, portion the cooled dish into freezer-safe containers. Label and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready for a cozy dinner, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if needed to keep things extra saucy. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! While stew meat is classic for its tenderness, you can easily swap in sirloin, chuck, or even ribeye for super juicy results. Just be sure to cut your beef into evenly sized pieces for consistent cooking.
Can this recipe be made on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Allow it to simmer gently, covered, until the beef and potatoes are tender—about 1 to 1.5 hours should do the trick.
What if I don’t have smoked paprika?
No worries! Sweet paprika works in a pinch, though you’ll lose a bit of that smoky flavor. A pinch of chipotle powder or a few drops of liquid smoke can lend a similar smoky goodness if you want to experiment.
Can I add other veggies?
Definitely! Carrots, mushrooms, or even bell peppers would make delicious additions to Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes. Just chop them to a similar size as the potatoes so everything cooks evenly.
How do I make this dish dairy-free?
Swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and double-check your broth is dairy-free. The flavor will still be rich, garlicky, and totally satisfying.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a foolproof, heartwarming dinner, Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is the recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat. It’s cozy, deeply flavorful, and surprisingly simple—so grab your slow cooker and treat yourself to this unforgettable meal soon!
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Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes are a savory and comforting dish perfect for a cozy meal. Tender beef stew meat is coated in a flavorful garlic butter sauce and slow-cooked with baby potatoes until perfectly tender. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
For the Beef Bites:
- 1.5 pounds Beef stew meat (Cut into bite-sized pieces.)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil (For searing the beef.)
For the Potatoes:
- 1 pound Baby potatoes (Halved for even cooking.)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (Melted for the garlic butter sauce.)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced for flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder (Adds depth to the flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (For a smoky flavor.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme (Enhances the aroma.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried rosemary (Adds a fragrant touch.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste.)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (For seasoning.)
- 0.25 cup Beef broth (To keep the dish moist.)
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and halve the baby potatoes.
- Parboil Potatoes: Optional step to parboil the baby potatoes for a few minutes to soften them slightly.
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the beef bites until browned.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Combine melted butter, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place potatoes and beef in the slow cooker, pour the garlic butter sauce over them, and add beef broth.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until beef is tender.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can customize the seasoning to your preference by adjusting the salt and pepper quantities.
- For added freshness, sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Beef Bites, Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes, Comfort Food Recipe
