Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites: Tender Potato Meal (Print Version)

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes deliver tender beef, creamy potatoes, and rich garlic butter. A comforting, easy meal for busy weeknights.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 4-6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Gluten-Free Option

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 2 lbs stew beef, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1.5 lbs baby potatoes, halved or quartered
03 - 1.5 cups beef broth

→ Flavor Boosters

04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 - 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
06 - 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
07 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Thickener & Garnish

09 - 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (for slurry)
10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that stew beef ready. Pat it dry with paper towels; this helps it brown better later, if you choose to sear it (which I sometimes do, but honestly, for this kind of dish, it's not strictly necessary). Then, halve or quarter those baby potatoes. I usually give them a good scrub under cold water to get rid of any dirt. You'll see the vibrant colors of the potatoes and the rich red of the beef, a pretty start to something delicious.
02 - Now for the easy part! Toss the beef and potatoes into your slow cooker. Sprinkle them generously with the dried Italian seasoning, a good pinch of salt (remember, taste as you go!), and fresh black pepper. I always give it a good stir right in the slow cooker to make sure everything gets coated. This is where the aromas start to build, even before cooking, a promise of delicious beef bites to come. I once forgot to season at this stage and had to adjust heavily at the end, which wasn't ideal!
03 - Pour in the beef broth. Then, melt your butter and stir in that glorious minced garlic. Oh, the smell! It's intoxicating. Pour this over the beef and potatoes. Give it another gentle stir. You'll see the liquid just barely covering everything, ready to infuse all those flavors. This step is key for incredible garlic butter beef. Don't skimp on the garlic here, seriously!
04 - Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. I usually go for the low and slow method because it makes the beef incredibly tender, practically melt-in-your-mouth. You'll start to smell it after a couple of hours, a deep, savory aroma that will make your kitchen feel so warm and inviting. I've definitely peeked too many times, but try not to – let it do its thing!
05 - About 30 minutes before serving, if you want a thicker sauce (and trust me, you do!), whisk together your cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker. Turn the heat up to high if it's not already there, and let it cook for another 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your liking. I always make sure there are no lumps in my slurry before adding it, learned that the hard way with a few clumpy sauces!
06 - Once the sauce is thick and glossy, and the beef is fork-tender, it's time to serve. Ladle generous portions into bowls. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for that bright pop of color and flavor. You'll see the steam rising, smell the rich garlic, and feel the warmth. These beef bites are best enjoyed immediately, perhaps with a side of crusty bread to sop up all that amazing sauce!

# Notes:

01 - Make sure to pat your beef dry before cooking, it really helps with the flavor.
02 - Leftovers are great, but for best potato texture, don't freeze the whole dish.
03 - Ran out of baby potatoes? Just chop larger ones into 1-inch pieces, works perfectly.
04 - Serve with crusty bread to soak up all that amazing garlic butter sauce!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Slow cooker
02 - large spoon/ladle
03 - whisk

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 30-40g
Total Carbohydrate: 25-35g
Protein: 30-40g

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