You’ll love these Garlic Butter Beef Bites, a simple high-protein slow cooker meal loaded with juicy beef cubes, buttery garlic sauce, and tender potatoes. Perfect for busy nights when you crave comfort and bold flavor.
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What Makes These Garlic Butter Beef Bites So Good
These Garlic Butter Beef Bites are tender, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The slow cooking brings out deep flavors while the garlic butter adds a rich, comforting finish. Each bite bursts with smoky paprika, herbs, and juicy beef that soaks up the buttery sauce. Plus, it’s a high-protein meal that takes minimal effort — just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Whether it’s for meal prep or a cozy dinner, this recipe satisfies every craving for a hearty, balanced dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses basic, flavorful ingredients that come together beautifully in the slow cooker. You’ll need beef, baby potatoes, butter, garlic, spices, and a splash of broth to tie everything together. The herbs add aroma, the butter creates a silky sauce, and the beef gives it that rich, satisfying depth. Together, they form a comforting and balanced high-protein meal that’s both wholesome and indulgent.
Beef and Potatoes Breakdown
Use 1.5 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes, and about a pound of halved baby potatoes. The small, even cuts ensure even cooking. Potatoes absorb all the buttery garlic flavors, becoming tender and slightly crisp on the edges. You can also use other cuts like sirloin or chuck roast for variation.
Garlic Butter Sauce Components
Melted butter, garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, and rosemary make the sauce rich and aromatic. These spices blend perfectly with the seared beef. Add beef broth to keep everything juicy and flavorful as it slow cooks. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking before pouring it all over the meat and potatoes.
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker
Making these Garlic Butter Beef Bites is simple and satisfying. You’ll prep, sear, sauce, and slow cook until tender and golden.
Prep the Beef and Potatoes
Trim excess fat from the beef and cut into even cubes. Halve baby potatoes so they cook evenly. For faster results, parboil the potatoes for a few minutes to slightly soften them before adding them to the slow cooker.
Sear the Beef for Maximum Flavor
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes on all sides until browned. This locks in flavor and adds a delicious caramelized crust. Then, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth. The aroma alone is irresistible.
Slow Cook Until Tender and Juicy
Add halved potatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer the seared beef on top, pour over the garlic butter sauce, and add beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. Rest for 10 minutes before serving so the flavors settle beautifully.
Timing, Serving Size, and What to Expect
This recipe serves about four people, with each portion packing around 400 to 480 calories and 41 grams of protein. It takes roughly 15 minutes to prep and up to 8 hours to slow cook. Expect fork-tender beef, buttery potatoes, and a deeply flavorful sauce. The smell while it cooks is heavenly, and the taste is even better.
Pro Tips for Perfect Beef Bites Every Time
Brown your beef properly to seal in flavor. Always cut the cubes evenly for consistent texture. If your slow cooker runs hot, check tenderness at the 3-hour mark on high. For creamier sauce, stir in a tablespoon of heavy cream before serving. You can garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch. Also, parboiling the potatoes makes them perfectly soft without falling apart.
Customization and Variations
You can customize these Garlic Butter Beef Bites easily. Try adding mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers for extra veggies. Substitute the potatoes with cauliflower for a low-carb version. Use ghee instead of butter for a nutty flavor. Want more spice? Add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne. If you prefer oven baking, cover and roast at 325°F for 2½ hours instead.
Storage, Reheating, and Meal Prep Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short bursts with a splash of broth to keep it moist. This recipe is meal prep-friendly and keeps well, making it perfect for busy weeks. You can also freeze portions for up to two months and reheat when needed.
FAQs About Garlic Butter Beef Bites
How long can garlic butter sit out?
Garlic butter should not sit out for more than two hours at room temperature. Refrigerate promptly after use.
How to cook beef with butter and garlic?
Sear beef in a bit of oil, then add garlic and butter toward the end to infuse the flavor without burning the garlic.
How long to slow cook beef cubes?
Beef cubes cook best on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until fork tender.
What to have with butter beef?
Serve with roasted veggies, steamed greens, or rice for a balanced meal. It also pairs well with crusty bread.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- High Protein Chocolate Chia Pudding
- Protein Bars Recipe (No Bake, High Protein)
- Cucumber Snack Recipe – High Protein
- Peanut Butter Energy Bites – Healthy Protein Snack
- Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole (High Protein)
- Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls – Protein Dinner
Final Thoughts
These Garlic Butter Beef Bites are tender, flavorful, and perfect for any day of the week. They’re comforting yet simple enough for meal prep or a quick family dinner. With buttery garlic richness and slow-cooked tenderness, this recipe might just become your new favorite. Don’t forget to save it to your Pinterest board for later inspiration.
Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Equipment
- Slow cooker 6-quart recommended
- Skillet For searing beef before slow cooking
- Mixing bowl To mix garlic butter sauce
- Tongs For turning beef while searing
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 0.5 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Trim and cut the beef into even cubes and halve the baby potatoes for even cooking. Optionally, parboil potatoes for 5 minutes to slightly soften.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes on all sides until browned, then transfer to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to make the garlic butter sauce.
- Add halved potatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker, layer the seared beef on top, pour over the garlic butter sauce, and add beef broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the beef is tender and potatoes are soft. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
