Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes—maybe your mouth is already watering just from reading that (not gonna lie, mine is too). If you ever stare blankly at the fridge trying to “whip up something easy” but still want it delicious? Same here! Most days all I crave is that combo of juicy beef, loads of garlicky flavor, and crispy potatoes—without standing in the kitchen for two hours. I stumbled across a game-changer for busy nights: savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes. Bonus: it’s practically foolproof, and I always serve it up with simple sides, like a salad from my post on easy salad recipes or a quick dip from homemade saucy bites.
Why KJ Loves
Alright, confession time. I’ve tried a lot of beef recipes, but savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes just hit different. First of all, you don’t need fancy chef skills or ridiculous ingredients. I’m talking pantry basics and maybe a quick run to the meat aisle—done. What really gets me? The way the garlic butter soaks into those little cubes of beef and coats the crispy potato bits. Hard-cooked (but not dry) with golden edges… guys, it is freakin’ perfect. I promise, nobody will believe it didn’t come from a five-star steakhouse.
People always think it’ll be complicated, but this slow cooker recipe is even easier than you’d expect. No standing and watching forever—set it, chill out, and get ready for a crowd-pleasing meal. I served this at my cousin’s birthday (she texted me for the recipe the next day, not joking). Trust me, savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes just are that good.
“Okay, this recipe turned my regular Wednesday into a celebration. I wanted more before I’d even finished my first bowl. Do yourself a huge favor and double the batch. So, so good.” –Ava, my picky best friend
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Bites
You probably have most of this list chillin’ in your kitchen already. Here’s all I use when I make savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes:
- 1.5 lbs stew beef (bite-sized chunks)
- 4-5 medium potatoes (skin-on, cubed small)
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced (or, you know, more if garlic is your love language)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (this makes it pop)
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Fresh parsley or chives (for that sprinkled-on finish)
If you wanna get fancy, a splash of Worcestershire sauce is dang good here. Or toss in some red pepper flakes. It’s up to you—there are no garlic butter beef bite police.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Here’s how I get it done, drama-free. Make sure those potatoes are cut all roughly the same size, so they cook evenly. That’s my lazy trick for not overthinking.
First, heat the olive oil in a skillet on medium-high. Toss in those beef chunks and get a nice brown sear (couple minutes per side). You want nice color.
Meanwhile, toss your potatoes in the slow cooker with melted butter, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Dump the browned beef on top.
Now sprinkle the minced garlic all over—don’t skimp! Give it a gentle mix, slap the lid on, and cook low for 5-6 hours, or high for about 3. I sometimes sneak a peek at hour two, mainly for how good it smells.
When it’s done, give a taste. Adjust salt or pepper if it needs it. Top it off with chopped herbs and, trust me, it looks five-star.
Recipe Tips
Before you dive in, let me tell you a few hard-won cooking lessons! Number one: don’t crowd the pan when searing. My first time, things got weird and gray. Let the beef get that brown goodness. Number two—use a waxy potato like Yukon Gold. Russets get weird and mushy sometimes. Also, if you want a more crispy finish on your potatoes (and yes, you do), broil just the potatoes for 3-5 mins after slow cooking while the beef rests, then mix them back with the beef and garlic butter.
If you ever wonder about adding extra veggies, I love throwing in some bell peppers or carrots during the second half of cooking. They soak up that garlic butter—that’s always a win. And please, for your taste buds’ sake, use fresh garlic! The pre-minced jarred stuff just isn’t the same.
Oh—if you need more easy dinner ideas, head over to my fast weeknight beef recipes or get some inspo from quick potato sides for more spud action.
Ingredient | Quantity | Nutrition Fact |
---|---|---|
Stew Beef | 1.5 lbs | Protein-rich, approx. 22g protein per 3 oz |
Potatoes | 4-5 medium | High in potassium, approx. 620mg per medium potato |
Butter | 4 tbsp | Adds richness, approx. 100 calories per tbsp |
Olive Oil | 2 tbsp | Healthy fats, approx. 120 calories per tbsp |
Garlic | 4-5 cloves | Rich in antioxidants, supports immune function |
Storage and Reheating
Let’s talk leftovers. Savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes actually taste amazing the next day. Pop everything in an airtight container, and it’ll keep in the fridge for three days, no problem. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding just a splash of broth or water so it doesn’t dry out. Microwave works too—just toss a damp towel over the bowl so it stays moist.
You can even freeze these beef bites if you’ve made too much (who are we kidding—not likely, but still). Just thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as above. If you ask me, having this in the freezer is like finding buried treasure on a Monday.
Common Questions
Q: What cuts of beef can I use?
A: I usually stick to chuck or stew meat, but honestly you can use sirloin or round steak if it’s on sale. That’s the beauty of savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes—it’s flexible.
Q: Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular?
A: Yes, and it makes the recipe a bit sweeter. Totally good with the garlic butter, but the texture is a bit softer.
Q: How do I make it less garlicky?
A: Just cut back to two or three cloves. Or not. Garlicky is a way of life here, but to each their own!
Q: Is it spicy?
A: Nope, unless you add those red pepper flakes I suggested. It’s all comfort and no heat as written.
Q: What should I serve it with?
A: If you want to go all-out, add steamed green beans or try a fresh bread roll. Total comfort meal.
Let’s Get Cooking and Cozy
Alright, that’s the scoop on savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes! Seriously, if you want a dinner that tastes like you tried way harder than you did, make this tonight—your family will think you’ve been to cooking school or something. For even more inspiration, check out the tasty ideas from Bon Appetit or watch a quick how-to video on YouTube. So grab those simple ingredients and let the garlic butter magic begin! If you have a tip or twist on this recipe, I’m all ears—share your kitchen wins below.
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- Total Time: 315 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: None
Description
Savory garlic butter beef bites with crispy potatoes that come together with minimal effort, making it a perfect dish for busy nights.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs stew beef (bite-sized chunks)
- 4-5 medium potatoes (skin-on, cubed small)
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks until browned on all sides.
- In a slow cooker, combine the cubed potatoes with melted butter, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika.
- Layer the browned beef on top of the potatoes.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the beef and potatoes and mix gently.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for about 3 hours.
- Adjust seasoning as needed, then top with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
For extra crispy potatoes, broil them for 3-5 minutes after slow cooking. Garlic butter beef bites taste even better as leftovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 300 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American