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Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites With Potatoes offers the kind of slow-cooked comfort that hugs you from the inside out—tender beef, silky garlic butter, and potatoes that soak up every savory drop. It’s an easy, nostalgia-tinged dinner that feels like a Sunday meal any night of the week; for a printable version and extra tips, check the full recipe at garlic butter beef bites with potatoes.

Why make this recipe
This recipe stands out because it delivers deep, comforting flavors with almost no hands-on time:

Effortless: throw everything into the crockpot and let it do the work.
Crowd-pleasing: beef and potatoes are universally loved and perfect for family meals.
Flavorful: garlic butter infuses the meat and potatoes, creating a rich, comforting sauce.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites With Potatoes
Ingredients:

2 pounds beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 tablespoons garlic butter
1 pound baby potatoes, halved
1 onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions:

In a crockpot, place the chopped onion and halved baby potatoes.
Add the beef chunks on top of the vegetables.
Melt the garlic butter and pour it over the beef and potatoes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the beef is tender.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!

Detailed step-by-step notes and timing

Prep the beef: Trim any excessive fat from the beef chuck and cut it into uniform bite-sized pieces (about 1 to 1.5 inches). Uniformity helps everything cook evenly so you don’t end up with dry edges or chewy centers.
Layer flavors: Place the chopped onion and halved baby potatoes on the bottom of the crockpot. This creates a bed that lifts the meat off the direct surface and lets the root vegetables roast-like in the steam and butter.
Garlic butter: Melt the 4 tablespoons of garlic butter gently (microwave or stovetop). Pouring melted garlic butter over the raw beef and potatoes ensures the fat and aromatics distribute evenly. If you prefer a stronger garlic punch, mince an extra clove or two and mix it into the butter before pouring.
Seasoning: Salt and pepper are listed simply—but don’t be timid. A good pinch of kosher salt (about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons, adjusted to taste) and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper is a good starting point. Remember you can always season more at the end.
Cooking time: Set the crockpot on low for 6–8 hours for melt-in-your-mouth beef, or on high for 3–4 hours if you need dinner sooner. The exact time depends on the size of your beef pieces and your crockpot’s heat profile. Check tenderness at the minimum time and extend if needed.
Finish and garnish: Taste for salt and pepper before serving. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley for color and a hint of bright freshness to cut through the richness.

Why these ingredients work together
Beef chuck is perfect for slow-cooking because its connective tissue breaks down into gelatin, enriching the cooking liquid and creating succulent, tender bites. Baby potatoes hold their shape but become creamy inside after slow cooking, absorbing the butter and beef juices. Onions add a sweet backbone while garlic butter creates a silky, aromatic coating that turns simple ingredients into an indulgent meal.

Best Way to Store Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites With Potatoes

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag at 0°F (-18°C) for up to 2–3 months.
Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in a 325°F (160°C) oven until warmed through; add a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites With Potatoes

For an easy weeknight dinner: Spoon beef and potatoes over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta to create an extra comforting plate.
For a lighter pairing: Serve with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
For company: Plate the beef and potatoes on a warmed platter, garnish with chopped parsley, and offer crusty bread so guests can mop up the garlic-butter sauce.
Family-style: Keep the crockpot on warm at the table for casual family-style serving—this keeps everything tender and cozy.

Tips to make Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites With Potatoes (Q&A style)
Q: How do I keep the beef moist and not overcooked?
A: Cook on low for the recommended time and check for fork-tenderness at the minimum. Overcooking can make smaller pieces dry; if using very small bites, reduce cook time slightly.

Q: Can I brown the beef first?
A: Yes. Browning adds flavor through the Maillard reaction. Sear the beef quickly in a hot skillet (2–3 minutes per side) before adding to the crockpot if you want a deeper crust and richer sauce.

Q: What if my sauce is too thin after cooking?
A: Remove a cup of the liquid, whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water), then stir back into the crockpot and cook on high for 15–30 minutes until thickened. Or finish on the stovetop in a saucepan to reduce.

Variations and substitutions

Swap the potatoes: Use Yukon golds for creamier texture or fingerlings for variety—both hold up well to slow cooking.
Add vegetables: Toss in baby carrots or parsnips at the start for extra root-vegetable goodness; for quicker-cooking veg like green beans, add them in the last 30–45 minutes.
Butter alternatives: If garlic butter isn’t available, use unsalted butter plus 1–2 teaspoons of garlic powder or 2 minced garlic cloves to mimic the garlic-butter flavor.
Make it saucier: Add 1/2 cup beef broth, 1/4 cup red wine, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to create a richer pan sauce.

Meal planning and timing
This recipe is ideal for busy households. Prep in the morning and come home to a fully cooked meal. If you’re prepping ahead:

Trim and cut the beef and store in the fridge in an airtight container the day before.
Chop potatoes and onions and refrigerate separately.
Combine everything in the crockpot insert shortly before leaving, or do a quick assembly the night before and refrigerate the crockpot insert covered (allow to sit at room temperature briefly before turning the crockpot on in the morning).

Serving sizes and nutrition notes

Serves: About 4–6 people depending on appetite and sides.
Portioning tip: Pair with a light vegetable and a grain or bread to stretch to more servings.
Nutrition: This dish is protein- and fat-forward thanks to beef and garlic butter. To lower calories and saturated fat, reduce the butter by half and add a splash of beef broth for moisture.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake: Overcrowding the crockpot with oversized beef chunks. Result: Uneven cooking. Solution: Cut beef into uniform bite-sized pieces and avoid mounding too high.
Mistake: Not seasoning enough. Result: Dull flavor. Solution: Taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end of cooking.
Mistake: Adding delicate veg too early. Result: Mushy green vegetables. Solution: Add quick-cooking vegetables later in the last 30–45 minutes.

FAQs
Q: Can I use a different cut of beef?
A: You can, but choose cuts suited for slow cooking (e.g., chuck, brisket, or short ribs). Lean cuts like sirloin can work but may not be as tender unless watched carefully.

Q: Is it safe to cook on low for more than 8 hours?
A: Most crockpots can handle 8–10 hours on low safely, but check manufacturer guidelines. Extended cooking can sometimes break down texture too much, especially for very small pieces.

Q: How do I thicken the sauce naturally?
A: After cooking, remove beef and potatoes, pour cooking liquid into a skillet, and simmer uncovered to reduce and concentrate flavor. You can also mash a few potatoes in the pot to naturally thicken the sauce.

What to serve with leftovers

Stir the leftovers into a simple pasta or egg noodles and top with grated Parmesan.
Use leftover beef and potatoes to make a hearty hash with sautéed onions and bell peppers; finish with a fried egg for breakfast-for-dinner.
Turn it into a pot pie filling—place under a sheet of puff pastry and bake until golden.

Make-ahead and batch-cooking notes

For gatherings, double the recipe and use two crockpots or a large roaster oven. Keep one on warm to serve and the other for replenishing.
The flavors develop even more after a day in the fridge, so consider making it a day ahead to deepen the garlic-butter infusion.

Finishing touches and presentation tips

Brighten with acidity: A small squeeze of lemon or a splash of apple cider vinegar added just before serving can cut through richness and elevate flavors.
Herb finish: Aside from parsley, try chives or a little thyme for a different aromatic lift.
Plating: Spoon some juices over the beef and potatoes and finish with a scattering of chopped parsley and freshly ground black pepper to make a simple meal look restaurant-ready.

Safety and kitchen hygiene

Keep raw beef refrigerated until ready to assemble.
Use separate cutting boards for beef and produce to avoid cross-contamination.
Ensure internal beef temperature reaches a safe level and that the crockpot has been kept on the correct setting during cooking.

Final notes
This recipe is an adaptable weeknight superstar—simple enough for busy nights and flexible enough to dress up for company. The garlic butter is the secret weapon that ties every ingredient together into something more than the sum of its parts.

Conclusion

If you want another slow-cooker take on garlic butter beef bites, this version from KJ and Company offers helpful visuals and tips to complement the method above: Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites – KJ and Company. For a variation that emphasizes potatoes and family-style serving ideas, see this rendition on Meatloaf and Melodrama: Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes.

Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites With Potatoes

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

Print Recipe

Description

Tender beef and silky garlic butter paired with potatoes that soak up savory flavors, perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 tablespoons garlic butter
1 pound baby potatoes, halved
1 onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

In a crockpot, place the chopped onion and halved baby potatoes.
Add the beef chunks on top of the vegetables.
Melt the garlic butter and pour it over the beef and potatoes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 360–480 minutes (6–8 hours) or on high for 180–240 minutes (3–4 hours) until the beef is tender.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For richer flavor, brown the beef before adding to the crockpot. Adjust seasonings according to taste.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 600
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: Crockpot, Beef, Garlic Butter, Comfort Food, Slow Cooking

Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites With Potatoes

Conclusion