Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5–6 hours on Low or 3–4 hours on High
Servings: 5–6

Ingredients

• 2 lb beef chuck roast or sirloin, cut into large bite-size chunks
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

1. Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the beef for about 1–2 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Transfer the browned beef directly to the slow cooker.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley.
4. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the beef in the slow cooker. Gently stir so the pieces are coated in the flavorful sauce.
5. Cover and cook on Low for 5–6 hours or on High for 3–4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and juicy.
6. About 20 minutes before serving, combine the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Stir until completely smooth to make a slurry.
7. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker and gently stir it into the cooking liquid.
8. Cover again and cook for another 15–20 minutes, or until the garlic butter sauce has slightly thickened and coats the beef beautifully.
9. Gently toss the tender beef bites in the sauce before serving. Finish with extra chopped parsley and freshly ground black pepper.

Tips

Beef chuck is one of the best choices for this recipe because its marbling breaks down during slow cooking, creating incredibly tender and juicy beef.

Cut the beef into fairly large, evenly sized chunks. Pieces that are too small may become dry or fall apart before the cooking time is finished.

Searing the beef is optional, but it adds extra flavor and gives the meat a richer, more appetizing exterior.

For an even more buttery sauce, stir in an additional tablespoon of butter just before serving.

If you prefer a thinner sauce, skip the cornstarch slurry. For a thicker gravy-style sauce, add a little more cornstarch slurry and cook until your desired consistency is reached.

Serving Suggestions

These garlic butter beef bites pair perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes because the potatoes soak up the rich buttery sauce.

They are also delicious served over fluffy white rice, buttered egg noodles, roasted potatoes, or creamy polenta.

For a lighter meal, serve them alongside steamed broccoli, green beans, roasted carrots, asparagus, or a fresh garden salad.

Storage

Allow leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with some of the remaining garlic butter sauce to help keep the beef tender and moist.

For longer storage, freeze the cooled beef and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.