Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes recipe is one of those meals that makes busy weeknights feel like a total win.

Last Tuesday when Bradley had soccer practice and Amy had dance class, I threw everything for these Crockpot Garlic Butter Potatoes with beef into my slow cooker before the morning chaos started. By the time we got home that evening, dinner was ready and my kitchen smelled absolutely amazing. John walked in and asked if I'd been cooking all day (I hadn't, but I'll take the compliment).

What I love about this recipe is how the beef gets so tender it practically melts in your mouth, and those baby potatoes soak up all that garlicky butter goodness. The green beans add a pop of color and some veggies to round out the meal. It's basically a complete dinner that cooks itself while you're out living your life.

This slow cooker beef and potatoes recipe has become my go-to when I need something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. If you're looking for another easy beef recipe, my Mongolian Beef is another family favorite that's perfect for busy nights.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Crockpot Garlic Butter Potatoes Recipe
• Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Bites
• How To Make Crockpot Garlic Butter Potatoes with Beef
• Storage and Reheating Your Beef and Potatoes
• Creative Ways To Customize Your Garlic Butter Beef Bites
• Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Beef Bites
• Recipes You May Like
• Making Dinner Simple with Garlic Butter Beef Bites
• Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes

Why You'll Love This Crockpot Garlic Butter Potatoes Recipe

Here's what makes these beef bites and potatoes so good:

Minimal prep work - We're talking about 10 minutes of actual work. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and walk away. No browning meat, no complicated steps, just simple ingredients coming together.

Tender, flavorful beef - The stew meat becomes so tender after slow cooking that you can cut it with a fork. That long, gentle cooking time breaks down all the tough connective tissue and leaves you with incredibly juicy beef bites.

One pot comfort food - Everything cooks together, which means fewer dishes to wash later. Plus, the potatoes and green beans absorb all those wonderful flavors from the garlic butter and beef.

Budget-friendly ingredients - Stew meat is one of the more affordable cuts of beef, and the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples. This feeds six people without breaking the bank.

Perfect for meal prep - The leftovers actually taste even better the next day. I've been known to make this on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week.

Kid-approved - Even Bradley, who can be picky about his vegetables, will eat the green beans in this recipe. Amy loves helping me add the butter to the slow cooker (it's her favorite part).

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Bites

Here's what you'll need to make these tender beef bites with garlic butter potatoes:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized pieces if necessary)
• 1½ pounds baby potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes work great)
• 1 packet onion soup mix (this is the secret ingredient)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (fresh makes such a difference)
• 4 tablespoons butter (don't skimp on this)
• ½ cup water or beef broth (broth adds extra flavor)
• 1 pound green beans, trimmed

The onion soup mix is honestly a game-changer here. It adds so much depth of flavor without requiring you to chop a bunch of onions. My cooking school instructors would probably tell me to make everything from scratch, but sometimes convenience wins, and this definitely delivers on taste.

How To Make Crockpot Garlic Butter Potatoes with Beef

Making these slow cooker beef bites is ridiculously simple. Here's how it comes together:

1. Prepare your slow cooker by spraying the bottom with non-stick cooking spray. This makes cleanup so much easier later.
2. Add the beef and potatoes to your slow cooker. I like to nestle the beef between the potatoes so everything cooks evenly. If your potatoes are on the larger side, cut them in half so they'll be done at the same time as everything else.

3. Season everything generously with the onion soup mix, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Don't be shy here - you want all that flavor throughout.
4. Add the butter and liquid right on top. The butter will melt down and create this incredible garlic butter sauce that coats everything. You can use water, but beef broth really takes it up a notch.
5. Set your slow cooker to cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. I usually go with low because I'm gone most of the day. Give it a stir occasionally if you're home, but it's not absolutely necessary.

6. Add the green beans during the last hour or two of cooking. This is important - if you add them too early, they'll turn into mush. Amy learned this the hard way when she tried to "help" by adding them at the beginning.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sometimes I'll add an extra tablespoon of butter at the end because, well, butter makes everything better.

Tips for Perfect Beef Bites

The key to getting these beef bites just right is not rushing the cooking process. That low and slow method is what transforms tough stew meat into tender, flavorful bites.

I've found that checking your slow cooker about halfway through cooking helps you gauge if you need to adjust the time. Different slow cookers cook at slightly different temperatures, so yours might run a bit hotter or cooler than mine.

Storage and Reheating Your Beef and Potatoes

These crockpot beef bites store really well, which is why I love making them for meal prep.

Let the leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They'll keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually develop and get even better overnight - something about letting everything meld together.

To reheat, I usually use the microwave for individual portions. Just add a splash of beef broth or water to keep everything moist, and heat in 1-minute intervals until warmed through.

If you're reheating on the stovetop, use a covered pot over medium-low heat with a bit of extra liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

You can freeze these beef bites too, though the potatoes might get slightly softer when thawed. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

John likes to pack the leftovers for lunch the next day. He says his coworkers are always jealous of how good his lunch smells when he heats it up.

Creative Ways To Customize Your Garlic Butter Beef Bites

Once you've made this recipe a few times, you'll probably want to switch things up. Here are some variations I've tried:

Try different vegetables instead of or in addition to green beans. Carrots work wonderfully - just add them at the beginning with the potatoes since they take longer to cook. Mushrooms are another great option that Bradley actually enjoys.

Swap the proteins if you're not feeling beef. Chicken thighs work surprisingly well with this same method and cooking time. Pork shoulder cut into chunks is another tasty option.

Make it creamier by stirring in a few tablespoons of cream cheese or sour cream at the end. This creates more of a stroganoff-style sauce that's absolutely delicious.

Add heat with some red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño if your family likes spicy food. I usually skip this when Amy's eating, but John and Bradley appreciate the kick.

Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a slightly different flavor profile. They add a nice sweetness that pairs well with the savory beef.

Throw in some pearl onions for extra flavor. They cook down beautifully and add another layer of taste to the dish.

The thing I love about slow cooker recipes is how forgiving they are. You can really make them your own without worrying too much about messing them up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Beef Bites

Recipes You May Like

If you enjoyed these crockpot garlic butter potatoes with beef, you'll definitely want to try:

• Slow Cooker Beef Stew - Another comforting beef recipe that cooks all day
• The Best Meatloaf Recipe - Perfect for when you want hearty comfort food
• Mongolian Beef - A family favorite with tender beef in a sweet and savory sauce

Making Dinner Simple with Garlic Butter Beef Bites

These slow cooker garlic butter beef bites and potatoes have honestly saved me on so many busy weeknights. There's something really satisfying about coming home to a hot, ready-to-eat meal that actually tastes like you put effort into it.

The combination of tender beef, buttery potatoes, and perfectly cooked green beans makes everyone at my table happy. Even Bradley puts down his phone to eat this one, which is saying something these days.

I hope this recipe becomes a regular in your dinner rotation like it has in ours. Give it a try this week and let me know what you think!

Save this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again when you need an easy dinner solution. Trust me, you'll want to come back to this one.

Happy cooking, and here's to many more delicious meals with your loved ones!

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