Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
So you’re craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. Who wants to spend all day simmering sauces and sweating over a hot stove when you can whip up something delicious without losing your sanity? Enter our Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes. Perfectly tender, ridiculously flavorful, and best of all, they practically make themselves while you kick back and scroll your social media feeds. Let’s dive into this culinary adventure without breaking a sweat!
Why This Recipe is Awesome
What makes this dish a winner? It’s simple, quick, and delicious without being all fussy. You throw some beef and baby potatoes in a slow cooker, add a knockout garlic butter sauce, and voila! You’ve got a meal that even your grandma would be proud of. No culinary degree required—trust me, it’s idiot-proof, even I didn’t mess it up. Plus, it’s basically a one-pot wonder, so cleanup is a breeze. Who doesn’t love that?
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s your shopping list for success. Make sure to grab these items before you dive in:
- 1.5 pounds Beef stew meat (Cut into bite-sized pieces. Because who wants to chew for days?)
- 1 pound Baby potatoes (Halved for even cooking. Tiny but mighty)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (Melted for the garlic butter sauce. Yes, please)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced for flavor. Garlic loves you back)
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder (Adds depth to the flavor. Don’t be stingy)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (For a smoky flavor. We’re fancy)
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme (Enhances the aroma. It’s like a warm hug)
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried rosemary (Adds a fragrant touch. Your kitchen will smell like heaven)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste. Flavors deserve to shine)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (For seasoning. Welcome, spice)
- 0.25 cup Beef broth (To keep the dish moist. Nobody likes dry beef)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil (For searing the beef. A little heat goes a long way)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to get this party started? Here’s how to bring those garlic butter beef bites to life:
Gather all ingredients and cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and halve the baby potatoes. Make sure they’re nice and cute. Size matters, folks.
Optional: Parboil the baby potatoes for a few minutes to soften them slightly. This step isn’t strictly necessary but trust me, it makes the potatoes even more delightful.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef bites until browned on all sides. We’re talking about that beautiful, savory color. No one wants gray beef on their plate.
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. It’ll smell so good, you might be tempted to drink it (don’t do that, it’s not a smoothie).
In the slow cooker, place the halved baby potatoes and seared beef. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the top and add beef broth. Embrace the goodness.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is fork-tender. Take a nap or binge-watch your favorite show while the magic happens.
Let the dish rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This makes everything even more flavorful and gives you time to set the table (or just contemplate your life choices).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now that you’re a pro, let’s quickly run through some rookie mistakes to avoid:
Thinking you can skip browning the meat. Seriously, that’s like skipping the best part of a rollercoaster. Do NOT skip that step!
Not measuring those spices. Spice it up, but make sure it’s not a guessing game. Uneven spices lead to a sad dish.
Ignoring the resting time. Trust me, letting it chill for a bit makes a world of difference. No one wants a tough bite of meat.
Not tasting your sauce before pouring it on. Like, just dip a spoon and give it a shot. You need to know if it needs more salt, right?
Alternatives & Substitutions
Maybe you’re fresh out of thyme or the rosemary plant is looking a little wilted. That’s totally cool! Here are some easy swaps you can make:
Beef stew meat can be switched with chicken or pork. Just know that the cooking time will vary. Chicken can cook quicker than beef, so keep your eyes on it.
No baby potatoes? You can use regular potatoes, chopped into similar-sized chunks. Just prepare for an additional peeling adventure.
Smoked paprika not your jam? Regular paprika is a fine substitute; it’ll still be tasty. Just no smoky vibes, alright?
No fresh garlic? Not the end of the world; garlic powder works too. Use about 1 teaspoon for every clove you’re missing.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Got questions? I’ve got answers, my friend. Let’s break it down:
Can I use margarine instead of butter? Well, technically yes, but why hurt your soul like that? Butter is where the flavor is at!
Can I cook this recipe in the oven? Absolutely! Just toss everything in a Dutch oven at 325°F and cook for a few hours, stirring occasionally. Get it to fork-tender bliss.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, please do! Just save the garlic butter sauce for when you’re ready to heat it up. It’ll blow your mind.
What should I serve with beef bites? You could go classic with some crusty bread to mop up all that garlic butter goodness or get fancy with a salad. Really, anything goes.
How do I store leftovers? Pop any extras in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. They’ll be good for about 3-4 days if you can resist eating it all in one go.
Is it freezer-friendly? It totally is. Just make sure to cool everything down before you toss it in the freezer—you don’t want to create flavor ice cubes.
Can I add vegetables? Absolutely! Carrots, bell peppers, or any of your favorite veggies work great. Just make sure they don’t turn to mush.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re practically a pro at this whole Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes thing, what are you waiting for? Go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it. Trust me, no one will believe how easy this was to create. And hey, who knows, maybe this will become your new favorite go-to dish. See you in the kitchen for another edible adventure!
Print
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
Tender beef bites coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, slow-cooked with baby potatoes for a simple yet delicious one-pot meal.
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
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and halve the baby potatoes.
- Optionally, parboil the baby potatoes for a few minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef bites until browned on all sides.
- 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.
- In the slow cooker, place the halved baby potatoes and seared beef. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the top and add beef broth.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
- Let the dish rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Optional: Serve with crusty bread or a salad for a complete meal.