Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Cozy Weeknight Dinner Beef.
Tender beef bites and potatoes slow-cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce. The perfect set-and-forget family dinner.
I remember my mom using her crockpot for everything when I was a kid. It was this magic pot that turned simple ingredients into something special by dinnertime. I wanted to capture that feeling, but with a flavor that felt a little more... indulgent. That’s where the garlic and butter came in. The first time I made this, the beef was so melt-in-your-mouth tender, I just knew it was a keeper. It's become our go-to for those busy days when I still want to put something truly nourishing and delicious on the table.
Why This Recipe Will Become a Favorite
- •It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it meal.
- •The garlic butter sauce is honestly so good.
- •Makes the whole house smell incredible while it cooks.
- •Perfectly tender beef and potatoes, every single time.
- •A complete meal in one pot, which means less cleanup. Yes!
- •It feels like a special Sunday dinner, even on a Tuesday.
Wow. Just... wow. My family devoured this. The beef was so tender you could cut it with a fork, and the potatoes soaked up all that amazing garlic butter sauce. This is officially in our weekly rotation. So easy and so, so good.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Beef Chuck Roast: This cut is perfect for slow cooking. It becomes incredibly tender and flavorful after hours in the crockpot. Look for a piece with good marbling.
- Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes: Their waxy, creamy texture holds up so well in the slow cooker. They absorb the garlic butter sauce beautifully without getting mushy. No need to peel them!
- Fresh Garlic: Please, use fresh garlic if you can. It makes all the difference. We use a lot in this recipe, and it creates a rich, savory base that's just wonderful.
Complete Cooking Process
- First, cut your beef chuck into bite-sized cubes. Pat them nice and dry.
- Give the beef a quick sear in a hot pan. This little step builds a beautiful, deep flavor.
- While the beef browns, chop your onion and halve the baby potatoes. Mince up the garlic.
- Toss the seared beef, potatoes, and onion into the slow cooker.
- Whisk together the broth, soy sauce, and seasonings. Pour this liquid gold over everything in the pot.
- Give it a gentle stir, pop the lid on, and walk away.
- Let it cook on low all day. The magic happens here, as everything gets so tender and flavorful.
- Right before you're ready to eat, melt some butter and stir in more fresh garlic and parsley.
- Drizzle this heavenly mixture over the beef and potatoes.
- Stir it all together one last time. The smell is just... wow.
- Serve it up warm in bowls and watch everyone's faces light up.
Frequently Asked Questions
→What other cut of beef can I use?
A beef brisket or bottom round roast would also work well. You want a tougher cut that benefits from long, slow cooking to become tender.
→Can I use russet potatoes?
You can, but they tend to fall apart more than waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds or red potatoes. If you use them, cut them into larger chunks.
→Is it necessary to sear the beef first?
It's not strictly necessary, and you can skip it if you're short on time. But honestly, searing creates a depth of flavor that you just can't get otherwise. I think it's worth the extra 10 minutes.
→Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! Carrots or celery would be lovely. Add them at the beginning with the potatoes. If you want to add something like green beans, I'd stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they don't get too soft.
Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Easy crockpot garlic butter beef bites with potatoes: a healthy, flavorful, family-friendly dinner! Tender beef in a savory garlic butter sauce. Try it!
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
7-8 hours (on low)
Total Time
8 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Beef and Potatoes
- 012 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 021.5 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
- 031 large yellow onion, chopped
- 048 cloves garlic, minced
- 051/2 cup beef broth, low sodium
- 061/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 072 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 081 teaspoon dried oregano
- 091/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 102 tablespoons olive oil, for searing
For the Garlic Butter Finish
- 014 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 022 additional cloves garlic, minced
- 032 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Pat the beef cubes dry with a paper towel. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes in batches until browned on all sides. This step is optional but adds so much flavor.
Place the browned beef, halved potatoes, and chopped onion into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce (or tamari), Worcestershire sauce, 8 minced garlic cloves, oregano, and black pepper.
Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and potatoes in the crockpot. Gently stir to combine everything.
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are soft.
About 10 minutes before serving, melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the remaining 2 minced garlic cloves and the fresh parsley.
Drizzle the garlic butter mixture over the beef and potatoes in the crockpot. Gently stir to coat everything.
Let it sit for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together, then serve warm.
Notes & Tips
- 1Every slow cooker is a little different, so your cooking time might vary slightly. The beef is done when it's fork-tender.
- 2If you find the sauce is a bit thin at the end, you can make a slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch and two tablespoons of cold water, then stir it in and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
Tools You'll Need
- •Don't skip searing the beef. It creates a rich, caramelized flavor that makes a huge difference.
- •Use low-sodium beef broth to control the saltiness, since soy sauce also adds a lot of salt.
- •Cut the potatoes and beef into uniform sizes so they cook evenly.
- •For the best flavor, use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder. It really shines here.