If you’ve been craving a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, then you need to try this Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe. It’s a perfect marriage of tender, juicy beef bites and baby potatoes all cloaked in a rich, garlicky butter sauce that sings with aromatic herbs. The slow cooking process makes every bite melt-in-your-mouth, while the smoky paprika and garlic infuse incredible depth, turning a simple meal into something truly unforgettable. Whether for a cozy family dinner or impressing guests, this recipe makes comfort food feel gourmet without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting together the ingredients for this Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is refreshingly straightforward. Each item plays a vital role, from creating the deep flavors to ensuring a delightful texture and gorgeous appearance on your plate.
- 1.5 pounds beef stew meat: This cut becomes tender and flavorful during slow cooking, perfect for bite-sized morsels.
- 1 pound baby potatoes: Halved to absorb the buttery garlic sauce beautifully while adding a creamy texture.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: The rich base of the garlic butter sauce, giving the dish its luscious mouthfeel.
- 3 cloves garlic: Minced fresh for vibrant, aromatic impact that balances the beef’s richness.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Adds subtle sweetness and depth without overshadowing the garlic.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Imparts a gentle smoky warmth that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- 0.25 cup beef broth: Helps keep everything moist and infuses the sauce with savory goodness.
- Olive oil: Used for searing the beef to get that perfect brown crust locking in juices.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the natural flavors.
- Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and complexity.
- Dried thyme: Earthy herb notes that complement the meat and potatoes beautifully.
- Dried rosemary: Offers fragrant, piney hints that make each bite unforgettable.
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Beef and Potatoes
Start by cutting your beef stew meat into bite-size pieces—this ensures every mouthful is perfectly savory and tender. Then, halve the baby potatoes so they cook evenly and soak up all those delicious flavors. This prep sets the stage for an irresistibly hearty dish.
Step 2: Sear the Beef for Maximum Flavor
Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the beef bites. Sear them until they develop a gorgeous brown crust, about 5 to 7 minutes. This creates flavor layers and seals in the juices, so your meat stays succulent throughout the slow cooking process.
Step 3: Whip Up the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. This sauce is where the magic happens—it brings a rich, aromatic punch that permeates the beef and potatoes beautifully when slow cooked together.
Step 4: Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker
Place the halved potatoes and seared beef bites in your slow cooker. Pour the garlic butter sauce and beef broth over them. This ensures every piece is bathed in flavor and stays juicy. Slow cooking at low temperature will gently marry all the ingredients into a luscious dish.
Step 5: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Set your slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Patience is key here—the slow heat makes the beef incredibly tender and infuses the potatoes with the garlicky butter goodness.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Once cooked, let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving. This brief time allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is packed with moist, flavorful bliss.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives adds a burst of color and freshness, balancing the richness of the garlic butter. A light dusting of grated Parmesan can also add a savory, creamy touch that pairs beautifully.
Side Dishes
This Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe shines on its own but pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables like green beans or asparagus for a vibrant contrast. Crusty garlic bread can soak up every bit of buttery sauce left behind—always a winner!
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy family dinner, serve straight from the slow cooker to maintain warmth and aroma. If entertaining, consider plating individual portions on warmed dishes with a drizzle of extra garlic butter sauce on top for a restaurant-worthy look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen after a day, making it even tastier the next time you eat it!
Freezing
This dish freezes well—just transfer cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 2 months, allowing you to enjoy your Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe whenever you want without starting from scratch.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Adding a splash of beef broth or water helps maintain moisture and prevent the meat and potatoes from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While beef stew meat is ideal for slow cooking due to its tenderness and marbling, you can also try chuck roast cut into cubes or brisket. Avoid lean cuts, as they may become tough during long cooking.
Is it necessary to use a slow cooker?
The slow cooker method is recommended for the best tender texture and flavor melding, but you could adapt this recipe to a Dutch oven in the oven at low heat for a few hours, checking for tenderness.
Can I substitute baby potatoes with another type?
Yes, fingerling potatoes or small red potatoes work well. Just be sure to cut them into similar-sized halves to ensure even cooking and absorption of the garlic butter sauce.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of red chili flakes to the garlic butter sauce mixture for a subtle heat kick without overwhelming the other flavors.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients used are naturally gluten-free, making this Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe suitable for those avoiding gluten. Just double-check your beef broth to ensure it’s labeled gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe is one of those comforting dishes that feels like it was made just for you. Rich, flavorful, tender, and warming, it’s the kind of meal that turns simple ingredients into something magical. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how effortlessly delicious a slow-cooked meal can be. Happy cooking!
Print
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is a hearty, comforting slow-cooked dish featuring tender seared beef stew meat and baby potatoes simmered in a rich, flavorful garlic butter sauce infused with aromatic herbs and smoked paprika. Perfect for a satisfying family meal, this recipe combines simple ingredients with slow cooking to develop deep, savory flavors and melt-in-your-mouth textures.
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 1.5 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 0.25 cup beef broth
- Olive oil, for searing
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the beef stew meat into bite-sized pieces and halve the baby potatoes to ensure even cooking and easy serving.
- Sear Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef pieces and sear them for 5-7 minutes until they develop a browned crust, which enhances the flavor through caramelization.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful garlic butter sauce that will infuse the dish with rich aromas.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the halved potatoes and seared beef bites into the slow cooker. Pour the garlic butter sauce over them, then add the beef broth to provide moisture for slow cooking and to create a luscious gravy.
- Slow Cook: Cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef becomes fork-tender and the potatoes are cooked through, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Rest and Serve: After cooking, let the dish rest for 10 minutes in the slow cooker before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
Notes
- For a deeper smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked sea salt instead of regular salt.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, this dish can also be simmered gently on the stovetop in a covered pot for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Feel free to swap baby potatoes with small Yukon Gold or red potatoes if preferred.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried herbs; use thrice the amount when using fresh.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, verify that your beef broth is gluten-free.
