Introduction
Remember those cozy nights when the smell of a delicious home-cooked meal would fill the house, making everyone gather around the table with happy anticipation? That’s exactly the feeling this recipe brings! We’re talking about incredibly tender, flavorful beef bites that practically cook themselves in your slow cooker. It’s the kind of meal that makes busy weeknights feel like a breeze and leaves you with plenty of time to actually enjoy your family (or just put your feet up with a good book).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast (Prep Time): Seriously, you’ll be done prepping in under 15 minutes!
- Easy: Dump it in and forget it – the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
- Giftable: Imagine bringing this to a new parent or a friend recovering from surgery. Talk about a thoughtful gesture!
- Crowd-pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters will devour these savory, garlicky bites.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these magical beef bites:
- 1 1/2 lbs Beef stew meat: Look for good quality cuts for the best tenderness.
- 1 lb Baby potatoes: These little guys soak up all those amazing flavors.
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced: Because, well, garlic butter!
- 1 tsp Onion powder: Adds a subtle depth of flavor without the fuss of chopping.
- 1/2 tsp Rosemary, dried: A classic herb that pairs beautifully with beef.
- 1/2 tsp Thyme, dried: Another herb that just screams comforting meal.
- 1/4 cup Beef broth: Our flavor base and liquid to keep everything moist.
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper: A little kick to wake up your taste buds.
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika: For that lovely smoky note and beautiful color.
- 1/2 tsp Salt: To enhance all those wonderful savory flavors.
- 1 tbsp Olive oil: For searing that beef to perfection.
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter: The star of our garlic butter show!
How to Make It
Get ready to experience the easiest and most delicious beef dinner of your life. You’ve got this!
- Prep the Beef: Grab your beef stew meat and pat it dry with paper towels. This is a little trick I learned – drying it helps get a better sear! Then, give it a good sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and that gorgeous smoked paprika.
- Sear it Up: Heat your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmery, carefully add the seasoned beef. You want to get a nice brown crust on all sides. This step adds so much flavor, so don’t skip it!
- Into the Slow Cooker: Carefully transfer your beautifully seared beef into your slow cooker.
- Add the Goodies: Toss in your baby potatoes, the minced garlic (oh, the aroma already!), onion powder, dried rosemary, and dried thyme.
- Broth Bath: Pour the beef broth over everything. This is going to create a wonderfully savory sauce.
- Butter Bliss: Now for the magic! Dot the top of everything with those 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. It’s going to melt down and create that irresistible garlic butter goodness.
- Cook Away: Put the lid on your slow cooker. Set it to LOW for 6-8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, HIGH for 3-4 hours. The goal is fork-tender beef and perfectly cooked potatoes.
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling creative? Want to jazz things up? Here are a few ideas!
- Beef: If you can’t find stew meat, chuck roast cut into cubes works wonderfully.
- Potatoes: Quartered red potatoes or Yukon Golds are great alternatives.
- Veggies: Toss in some chopped carrots or bell peppers during the last hour of cooking for extra color and nutrients.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs are always lovely! If using fresh rosemary or thyme, add a little more.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings if you like a little heat.
- Garlic Lovers: Feel free to add an extra clove or two of garlic – you really can’t go wrong!
Tips for Success
A few little secrets to make your beef bites absolutely perfect every time.
- Don’t Skip the Sear: I know it adds an extra step, but searing the beef is crucial for developing deep flavor and texture.
- Pat it Dry: Seriously, patting the beef dry helps create that beautiful browned crust when searing.
- Check for Tenderness: All slow cookers run a little differently. Test a piece of beef with a fork towards the end of the cooking time to ensure it’s super tender.
- Prep Ahead: You can easily mince your garlic, measure out your spices, and even cut your potatoes the night before to save even more time in the morning.
How to Store It
Leftovers? Lucky you! This dish is just as delicious the next day.
Once cooled, store any leftover beef bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the microwave, or even in a low oven. The flavors actually deepen overnight!
FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use a different cut of beef?
A: Absolutely! Chuck roast, sirloin tip, or even round roast cut into bite-sized pieces will work. Just make sure it’s a cut that benefits from slow cooking.
Q: How do I make the sauce thicker?
A: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the beef and potatoes from the slow cooker, bring the liquid to a simmer in a saucepan, and whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) until thickened. Then, pour it back over the beef and potatoes.
Q: Can I add more vegetables?
A: Yes! Carrots, celery, or even chunks of sweet potato can be added. Just be mindful of their cooking times. Softer veggies like peas are best added in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
High-Protein Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Skillet For searing the beef
- paper towels
- Airtight container For leftovers
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 1.5 lbs Beef stew meat Look for good quality cuts for the best tenderness.
- 1 lb Baby potatoes These little guys soak up all those amazing flavors.
Seasonings and Aromatics
- 3 cloves Garlic minced, Because, well, garlic butter!
- 1 tsp Onion powder Adds a subtle depth of flavor without the fuss of chopping.
- 0.5 tsp Rosemary, dried A classic herb that pairs beautifully with beef.
- 0.5 tsp Thyme, dried Another herb that just screams comforting meal.
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper A little kick to wake up your taste buds.
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika For that lovely smoky note and beautiful color.
- 0.5 tsp Salt To enhance all those wonderful savory flavors.
Liquids and Fat
- 0.25 cup Beef broth Our flavor base and liquid to keep everything moist.
- 1 tbsp Olive oil For searing that beef to perfection.
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter The star of our garlic butter show!
Instructions
- Prep the Beef: Grab your beef stew meat and pat it dry with paper towels. This is a little trick I learned – drying it helps get a better sear! Then, give it a good sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and that gorgeous smoked paprika.1.5 lbs Beef stew meat
- Sear it Up: Heat your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's shimmery, carefully add the seasoned beef. You want to get a nice brown crust on all sides. This step adds so much flavor, so don't skip it!1.5 lbs Beef stew meat
- Into the Slow Cooker: Carefully transfer your beautifully seared beef into your slow cooker.1.5 lbs Beef stew meat
- Add the Goodies: Toss in your baby potatoes, the minced garlic (oh, the aroma already!), onion powder, dried rosemary, and dried thyme.1.5 lbs Beef stew meat
- Broth Bath: Pour the beef broth over everything. This is going to create a wonderfully savory sauce.1.5 lbs Beef stew meat
- Butter Bliss: Now for the magic! Dot the top of everything with those 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. It’s going to melt down and create that irresistible garlic butter goodness.1.5 lbs Beef stew meat
- Cook Away: Put the lid on your slow cooker. Set it to LOW for 6-8 hours, or if you're in a bit of a hurry, HIGH for 3-4 hours. The goal is fork-tender beef and perfectly cooked potatoes.