Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes

Short, Catchy Intro

So you want dinner that tastes like you actually tried but only took a little effort? I hear you. This Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes recipe is basically the dinner version of a high five. It gives you tender, savory beef, crispy little potatoes, and a garlicky butter sauce that makes everyone at the table shut up and eat.
If you are into protein-packed meals, check out this high protein version for more ideas and tweaks.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

• It looks fancy without being fancy. Guests will gasp. You will shrug.
• It is slow cooker friendly. Toss stuff in, go do something mildly important, then come back and win dinner.
• It is basically foolproof. I say that with confidence because I have messed up far worse in the kitchen and this still turned out awesome.
• The garlic butter sauce makes things addictive in a good way. Like you will lick the pan if no one is watching. Pro tip: do not actually lick the pan unless you enjoy shame.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1.5 pounds Beef stew meat (Cut into bite-sized pieces.) — the chunkier the better for texture.
• 1 pound Baby potatoes (Halved for even cooking.) — yes, halve them unless you like one side raw.
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (Melted for the garlic butter sauce.) — unsalted so you control the salt level.
• 3 cloves Garlic (Minced for flavor.) — do not skip this unless you hate joy.
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder (Adds depth to the flavor.) — pantry hero.
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (For a smoky flavor.) — optional but recommended.
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme (Enhances the aroma.) — tiny herb, big vibes.
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried rosemary (Adds a fragrant touch.) — crush it a bit so it does not feel like chewing twigs.
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste.) — start with this and adjust later.
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (For seasoning.) — freshly cracked if you want to feel fancy.
• 0.25 cup Beef broth (To keep the dish moist.) — if you only have stock, that works fine.
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil (For searing the beef.) — hot pan, quick sear, job done.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients and cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and halve the baby potatoes. Get your slow cooker ready. Short prep saves time and stress.
2. Optional parboil the baby potatoes for a few minutes to soften them slightly. This helps them cook evenly and stay tender. Skip it if you are impatient.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef bites until browned on all sides. Work in batches if the pan gets crowded. Browning gives lots of flavor so do not rush this.
4. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper to create the garlic butter sauce. Stir until it looks like a delicious mess.
5. In the slow cooker, place the halved baby potatoes and seared beef. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the top and add beef broth. Make sure everything gets some sauce love.
6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the beef is fork-tender. Resist opening the lid every five minutes. It will be tempting, but trust me.
7. Let the dish rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Scoop, serve, and watch people fight over the last potato.

If you want to experiment with different sides or sauces later, you might enjoy this creative ramen twist from the site with a spicy garlic butter sauce spicy egg ramen with garlic butter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Going light on the sear. If you skip browning the beef you miss out on deep flavor. Do not be that person who skips the browning.
• Overcrowding the pan when searing. Crowd the pan and the beef stews instead of browns. That equals bland sadness.
• Forgetting to adjust salt. Slow cooking can mute flavors so taste before serving and add a pinch if needed.
• Not letting it rest. Cutting into it right away steals juices and makes everything drier. Give it those 10 minutes.
• Adding too much liquid because you are afraid. You only need a quarter cup of broth to keep things moist. More makes it soup, not roast dinner.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No beef stew meat available? Use chuck roast cut into cubes or even sirloin tips if you want something leaner. I like chuck for its melt-in-your-mouth vibes.
• Out of baby potatoes? Use regular potatoes cut into similar sized chunks so they cook evenly. Sweet potatoes make a sweet twist.
• Butter shortage? Use ghee or a neutral oil plus an extra pat of butter if you can grab it. Margarine works but IMO it steals flavor.
• No beef broth? Use chicken broth or even a splash of water plus a teaspoon of soy sauce for umami. Not ideal, but still tasty.
• Want a quicker stove top version? Brown everything, then simmer in a covered pan until tender. Works great for weeknight cheats.

For another garlic parmesan pasta and beef idea that pairs well with this vibe, try this twist on beef and rotini in a garlic parmesan sauce beef and rotini in garlic parmesan sauce.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. Can I use frozen beef stew meat?
A. Sure, but thaw it first. Frozen beef releases water and will steam instead of sear. Searing matters here.

Q. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A. Well technically yes, but why hurt your soul like that? Butter gives the sauce richness you want.

Q. Do I need to soak the garlic first to mellow it?
A. Nope. Minced fresh garlic tossed in with butter during cooking mellows nicely. You do you though.

Q. Is parboiling potatoes necessary?
A. Not necessary but helpful. It gives evenly tender potatoes and shortens slow cooker time a bit.

Q. Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
A. Yes. Sear on sauté, then pressure cook for about 30 to 40 minutes depending on cut size. Quick release carefully.

Q. How do I store leftovers?
A. Cool, cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently on low in a pan to keep beef tender.

Q. Can I double this for a crowd?
A. Yes. Use a larger slow cooker or make two batches. You can scale ingredients but avoid overfilling your slow cooker.

Final Thoughts

There you go. A simple, tasty recipe that feels like love on a plate but does not demand a kitchen degree. This Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is perfect for cozy nights, impressing people with minimal effort, or just treating yourself after a long day. Remember to sear for flavor and to taste before serving so your seasoning is on point. FYI you will probably want to make this again next week.

Conclusion

If you want another take on garlic butter steak bites and potatoes for inspiration or comparison, check out this classic version from a trusted source: Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes – The Country Cook. Now go impress someone or just eat the whole pot yourself. You earned it.

Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 255 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: None

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Description

A savory and tender slow-cooked beef dish with crispy potatoes and a rich garlic butter sauce that will impress your dinner guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 pounds Beef stew meat (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 pound Baby potatoes (Halved for even cooking)
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (Melted for the garlic butter sauce)
• 3 cloves Garlic (Minced for flavor)
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried rosemary (crushed)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil (for searing the beef)

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Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients, cut the beef into bite-sized pieces, and halve the baby potatoes. Prepare your slow cooker.
2. Optionally parboil the baby potatoes for a few minutes to soften them slightly.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef bites until browned on all sides.
4. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper to create the garlic butter sauce.
5. In the slow cooker, place the halved baby potatoes and seared beef. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the top and add beef broth.
6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
7. Let the dish rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Searing the beef is essential for depth of flavor. Make sure to taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 240 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: beef, garlic, slow cooker, easy dinner, comfort food