Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Recipe

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes recipe is the epitome of comfort food. Tender chunks of beef, crispy golden potatoes, and a rich, garlicky butter sauce meld together beautifully in a slow cooker. The dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. Let the slow cooker do all the hard work for you, infusing the beef with flavor while you go about your day. The garlic butter sauce will have you going back for seconds (or thirds).

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef Bites:

• Start by seasoning your beef stew meat (or chuck roast) with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and smoked paprika (if using). These spices will help enhance the flavor of the beef.

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• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef in batches. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will cause the beef to steam rather than sear.

• Sear the beef on all sides for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it is browned. You don’t need to cook it through, just get a nice sear on the outside to lock in the flavor. Once seared, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.

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2. Prepare the Potatoes:

• While the beef is searing, wash and halve or quarter the baby potatoes. You want them to be in uniform pieces so they cook evenly in the slow cooker.

• Toss the potatoes in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried rosemary (optional). This ensures that the potatoes are well-coated in oil and seasonings, which will help them crisp up a little in the slow cooker.

• Add the seasoned potatoes to the slow cooker along with the seared beef.

3. Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• In a small saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

• Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard (if using), and balsamic vinegar (if using) to the pan. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer for 2-3 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

• Pour the garlic butter sauce over the beef and potatoes in the slow cooker, making sure everything is well-coated.

4. Slow Cook the Dish:

• Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The beef should be tender and easily shred with a fork, and the potatoes should be cooked through and soft.

• During the last 30 minutes of cooking, if you prefer extra creamy sauce, you can stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream to make the garlic butter sauce even richer.

5. Finish and Serve:

• Once cooked, give the dish a quick stir to coat the beef and potatoes in the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

• Serve the beef bites and potatoes in bowls, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and sprigs of thyme or rosemary for a pop of color and fragrance.

• Optionally, serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.

Cooking Tips and Tricks:

1. Choosing the Right Beef:

   • While beef stew meat works well, using chuck roast is a great option if you want a richer, more tender cut. You can even use a cheaper cut of beef, but make sure to cut it into smaller pieces for more even cooking.

2. Searing the Beef:

   • Searing the beef adds depth of flavor to the dish. Don’t skip this step, as it caramelizes the meat and develops a delicious crust. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip searing and simply add the raw beef to the slow cooker, though the flavor won’t be quite as deep.

3. Potato Variations:

   • If you prefer, you can substitute the baby potatoes with Yukon gold potatoes, russet potatoes, or even sweet potatoes for a different flavor and texture. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time if you use larger potato chunks.

4. Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:

   • If you’re looking for a creamier sauce, the addition of heavy cream or half-and-half will give the dish a velvety texture. Alternatively, you could add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the sauce for richness.

5. Add Vegetables:

   • You can easily add vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the slow cooker for extra nutrition and flavor. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces and add them alongside the potatoes.

6. Customize the Seasoning:

   • Feel free to adjust the seasoning based on your taste preferences. Adding a little more garlic, fresh herbs, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes will give the dish a customized touch. You can also experiment with different herbs like oregano, basil, or sage.

7. Leftovers and Meal Prep:

   • This dish makes great leftovers! Store any extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, you might need to add a splash of broth or cream to restore the moisture and richness of the sauce.

Variations and Customizations:

1. Make It Spicy:

   • For a spicy kick, add a few red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce or toss in some diced fresh chilies with the beef. You can also use spicy paprika for a smoky heat.

2. Slow Cooker without Potatoes:

   • If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, simply omit the potatoes and add other low-carb vegetables like cauliflower florets or zucchini.

3. Vegetarian Version:

   • For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with plant-based protein, such as mushrooms or tofu. You can also use chickpeas for a hearty, protein-packed alternative.

4. Add Bacon:

   • Bacon adds an amazing smoky flavor to this dish. Consider frying up a few slices and crumbling them over the beef and potatoes just before serving for an added crunch and flavor.

5. Cheesy Garlic Butter Beef Bites:

   • For extra indulgence, sprinkle shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan) over the beef and potatoes during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Cover and cook until the cheese melts for a cheesy twist on this classic dish.

Serving Suggestions:

• Bread Pairing: Serve with a side of crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up the extra garlic butter sauce. It’s a perfect addition to this hearty dish.

• Side Salad: Pair this dish with a simple green salad, such as a Caesar or mixed greens salad, to balance out the richness of the beef and potatoes.

• Roasted Vegetables: For an even more hearty meal, serve with roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts for an additional layer of flavor and texture.

Freezing:

• • • This dish freezes very well! Allow the cooked beef and potatoes to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Conclusion:

The Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes recipe is an easy and satisfying meal that’s full of flavor. The slow cooker makes the beef tender and juicy, while the garlic butter sauce brings everything together in a rich, savory way. Whether you’re making this for a weeknight dinner or a special weekend meal, this recipe is sure to be a hit with your family or guests.

Take advantage of the flexibility of this recipe, and feel free to adjust the ingredients to fit your dietary preferences or pantry staples. Whether you like it spicy, cheesy, or with extra veggies, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this dish.

Yield: 4

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes Recipe

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This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes recipe is the epitome of comfort food. Tender chunks of beef, crispy golden potatoes, and a rich, garlicky butter sauce meld together beautifully in a slow cooker. The dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. Let the slow cooker do all the hard work for you, infusing the beef with flavor while you go about your day. The garlic butter sauce will have you going back for seconds (or thirds).

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs (680g) beef stew meat or beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb (450g) baby potatoes, halved (or quartered if large)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients:Place the beef stew meat, halved baby potatoes, and diced onion into the slow cooker.
2. Make the garlic butter mixture:In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, beef broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
3. Add to slow cooker:Pour the garlic butter mixture over the beef and potatoes in the slow cooker, making sure everything is evenly coated.
4. Cook:Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
5. Serve:Once the beef is tender and the potatoes are soft, give everything a gentle stir. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

• Substitutions:
  You can use Yukon gold potatoes, red potatoes, or russet potatoes in place of baby potatoes.
  For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the garlic butter mixture.
  If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) at the end of the cooking time and let it cook for an additional 10 minutes to thicken.
  
• Extra tips:
  For a crispy finish, you can broil the beef and potatoes under the oven’s broiler for 2-3 minutes before serving to give them a golden, crispy top.
  Feel free to add some vegetables like carrots or peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a more complete meal.