Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Beef:
- 2 lbs Beef Chuck Roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Beef Broth
- 1 tbsp Dried Parsley
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water for slurry)
Optional Add-ins (for a more complete meal):
- 1 lb Baby Potatoes, quartered
- 1 cup Carrots, chopped
- 1 Onion, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
Getting Started: Searing the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper.
- Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or the beef will steam instead of sear. Searing adds incredible flavor, so don’t skip this step! It creates a beautiful crust that locks in juices.
- Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker.
Making the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet (don’t wash it – all those browned bits are flavor gold!), melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Burnt garlic is bitter, and nobody wants that.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the dried parsley and red pepper flakes (if using).
Combining Everything in the Slow Cooker
- Pour the garlic butter sauce over the beef in the slow cooker.
- If adding potatoes, carrots, and onion, add them now. They’ll cook alongside the beef and soak up all that delicious flavor. This turns your garlic butter steak bites into a complete Beef And Potatoes meal!
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is very tender. The longer it cooks, the more tender it becomes, so don’t be afraid to let it go a little longer if needed.
Thickening the Sauce (if needed)
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, if you want a thicker sauce, stir together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry.
- Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently.
- Cover and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Serving Your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
- Serve the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites hot over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
- Enjoy your incredibly tender and flavorful meal!
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Choosing the Right Beef
I highly recommend using a chuck roast for this recipe. Chuck roast is a tougher cut of beef that becomes incredibly tender and flavorful when slow-cooked. Other cuts, like sirloin, can be used, but they might not be as tender. Make sure you trim any excess fat from the roast before cutting it into cubes. This will prevent your sauce from becoming too greasy.
Don’t Skip the Searing!
Searing the beef is a crucial step that adds a ton of flavor to the final dish. The Maillard reaction (the browning of the beef) creates complex flavors that you just can’t get from simply putting the beef in the slow cooker raw. It also helps to lock in the juices, keeping the beef moist and tender.
Adjusting the Garlic Level
This recipe calls for 6 cloves of garlic, but feel free to adjust this to your liking. If you’re a garlic lover, you can add even more! Just be careful not to burn the garlic when you’re sautéing it. Burnt garlic is bitter and can ruin the flavor of the entire dish. If you want a milder garlic flavor, you can use roasted garlic instead.
Making it Ahead of Time
One of the best things about slow cooker recipes is that you can make them ahead of time. You can prepare the entire dish and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. This is perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. Just remember to add a little extra cooking time if the dish is cold when you put it in the slow cooker.
Spice it Up!
If you like a little heat, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce. You can also add a diced jalapeño pepper for even more heat. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can omit the red pepper flakes altogether.
Variations and Add-ins
Adding Vegetables
As mentioned earlier, you can easily add vegetables to this recipe to make it a complete meal. Potatoes, carrots, and onions are classic additions, but you can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or celery. Just make sure to cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Bites
For a creamier sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or sour cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will add richness and body to the sauce.
Wine Lovers
Adding a splash of red wine to the sauce while it simmers in the skillet can elevate the flavor profile. A dry red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon works best, about 1/4 cup should do the trick. Simmer until the alcohol cooks off before adding to the slow cooker.
Serving Suggestions
Over Mashed Potatoes
Serving these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites over mashed potatoes is a classic combination that’s always a crowd-pleaser. The creamy mashed potatoes perfectly complement the tender beef and flavorful sauce. Try adding some roasted garlic to your mashed potatoes for even more garlic flavor!
With Rice or Noodles
If you’re not a fan of mashed potatoes, you can also serve these beef bites over rice or noodles. White rice, brown rice, egg noodles, or even pasta all work well. Just make sure to cook the rice or noodles according to the package directions.
As an Appetizer
These Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites also make a great appetizer. Serve them on skewers with a toothpick and let your guests enjoy them. They’re perfect for parties or gatherings.
Other Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
If you’re looking for more easy and delicious slow cooker recipes, be sure to check out these:
- Crockpot Garlic Butter Perfection
- Slow Cooker Stew
- Slow Cooker Steak Casserole
- Garlic Butter Beef Bites!
- Garlic Butter Beef Bites
- Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles
These are just a few of my favorite slow cooker recipes, and I’m sure you’ll love them too! They’re all easy to make and packed with flavor.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites lies in the slow cooking process. It transforms a relatively inexpensive cut of beef (chuck roast) into something incredibly tender and flavorful. The low and slow cooking allows the beef to break down and become melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the garlic butter sauce infuses it with incredible flavor. The searing step is also crucial, as it adds a layer of flavor that you just can’t get from simply putting the beef in the slow cooker raw. This Slow Cooker Beef recipe truly is a winner.
The simplicity of the recipe is also a huge plus. With just a few basic ingredients and a little bit of prep work, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time. And because it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. The Garlic Butter element makes this recipe extra special.
Whether you’re looking for a comforting weeknight dinner or an easy appetizer for your next gathering, these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites are sure to be a hit. They’re so easy to make, and they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and give them a try! You won’t be disappointed! And don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and add-ins to make it your own. That’s the best part about cooking! Enjoy your slow cooker garlic butter beef bites, my friend!
What cut of beef is recommended for this recipe, and why?
The recipe recommends using chuck roast. This cut becomes incredibly tender and flavorful when slow-cooked.
Is searing the beef really necessary? What does it add to the dish?
Yes, searing the beef is crucial. It adds a ton of flavor through the Maillard reaction, creating complex flavors and locking in juices to keep the beef moist and tender.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the entire dish and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Add a little extra cooking time if the dish is cold when you put it in the slow cooker.
How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin after slow cooking?
In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently. Cover and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Ultimate
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spatula
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef Chuck Roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Beef Broth
- 1 tbsp Dried Parsley
- ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Cold Water
- 1 lb Baby Potatoes, quartered optional
- 1 cup Carrots, chopped optional
- 1 Onion, chopped optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper.
- Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the dried parsley and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pour the garlic butter sauce over the beef in the slow cooker.
- If adding potatoes, carrots, and onion, add them now.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, if you want a thicker sauce, stir together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry.
- Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently.
- Cover and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.