Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites are your new go-to for an incredibly easy, flavorful, and satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering tender, juicy beef coated in a rich garlic butter sauce with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
- 1.5 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Whip up incredibly easy and delicious Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites in no time! This recipe is a true winner, offering tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce. With a quick prep time of just 15 minutes and a hands-off cooking time of 3-4 hours, you’ll have a satisfying meal ready with minimal fuss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the beef cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder until evenly coated.
- Sear the Beef (Optional but Recommended): For an extra layer of flavor and color, you can quickly sear the beef cubes in a hot skillet with a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. This step is not strictly necessary for the slow cooker, but it significantly enhances the final taste and texture.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned (and seared, if you chose to do so) beef cubes into your slow cooker insert.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Pour the sautéed garlic and butter into the slow cooker with the beef. Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, or until the beef is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens.
- Finish with Butter: Once the beef is tender and the sauce is to your liking, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter until fully melted and incorporated. This final addition of butter adds richness and a beautiful sheen to the sauce.
- Serve: Garnish the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with fresh chopped parsley before serving. These are delicious served over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or even in lettuce wraps.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
The absolute star of these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites is the unbelievably tender beef, swimming in a luxuriously rich and fragrant garlic butter sauce that’s simply irresistible. You’ll adore how this recipe transforms simple, budget-friendly cuts of beef into a gourmet-quality meal right in your own kitchen, saving you a bundle compared to dining out. The perfect balance of savory beef, aromatic garlic, and the subtle tang of Worcestershire sauce, finished with a touch of butter, makes every bite a delightful experience, far surpassing a dry, hastily prepared weeknight meal.
Forget the stress of complicated recipes; this slow cooker wonder is your secret weapon for busy weeks, delivering maximum flavor with minimum effort, much like a slow-braised pot roast but with the satisfying bite of delicious morsels. We highly encourage you to gather your ingredients and give these Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites a try – your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To Store: Allow the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
To Reheat:
- Stovetop: Gently reheat the beef bites in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce.
- Microwave: Place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish. Reheat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated thoroughly.
To Freeze: For longer storage, place cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Frozen Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites will retain their best quality for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
These Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites are a true testament to how simple ingredients and slow cooking can create extraordinary flavor. We encourage you to give this effortless yet incredibly delicious recipe a try for your next meal; it’s sure to become a family favorite!
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the beef cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder until evenly coated.1.5 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- For an extra layer of flavor and color, you can quickly sear the beef cubes in a hot skillet with a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. This step is not strictly necessary for the slow cooker, but it significantly enhances the final taste and texture.
- Place the seasoned (and seared, if you chose to do so) beef cubes into your slow cooker insert.1.5 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.2 tablespoons, divided unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Pour the sautéed garlic and butter into the slow cooker with the beef. Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker.0.5 cup beef broth, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, or until the beef is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens.1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons cold water
- Once the beef is tender and the sauce is to your liking, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter until fully melted and incorporated. This final addition of butter adds richness and a beautiful sheen to the sauce.2 tablespoons, divided unsalted butter
- Garnish the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with fresh chopped parsley before serving. These are delicious served over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or even in lettuce wraps.fresh parsley, chopped