Garlic Butter Beef Bites in the Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites transform tough chuck roast into the most tender, flavorful dinner with just 15 minutes of prep time. As someone who’s been perfecting comfort food recipes for over 30 years, I can confidently say this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results every single time.

There’s something magical about walking into your home after a long day and being greeted by the rich aroma of garlic and butter mingling with perfectly seasoned beef. I discovered this recipe during one of those hectic weeks when I needed something foolproof yet impressive for my family. My husband took one bite and declared it better than any steakhouse dinner we’d ever had. The secret lies in the slow cooking process, which breaks down the tough fibers in the beef while infusing every bite with that irresistible garlic butter flavor. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites Recipe

After decades of cooking for my family and experimenting with countless slow cooker recipes, I’ve learned what truly makes a dish special – and these beef bites check every box.This recipe originated from my need to transform affordable cuts of meat into something extraordinary, and it’s become one of our most requested family dinners, just like our Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Mushrooms.

• Easy to make with everyday ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
• Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal without the fuss
• Consistently delicious results every time, even for beginner cooks
• Incredibly versatile -Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread
• Budget-friendly way to enjoy tender, restaurant-quality beef at home
• Freezer-friendly for easy meal prep and future dinners

This garlic butter beef is more than just a convenient dinner – it’s pure comfort in a bowl that brings the whole family to the table.

Ingredient Note List

Beef stew meat or chuck roast: I always recommend using chuck roast cut into cubes because it has the perfect amount of marbling to stay juicy and tender during the long cooking process.

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the salt level in your dish, and it creates that rich, luxurious sauce we all crave.

Fresh garlic: Fresh minced garlic delivers a much more vibrant flavor than garlic powder, and I’ve found that 4 cloves creates the perfect garlicky punch without being overwhelming.

Olive oil: A good quality olive oil helps sear the beef beautifully and adds a subtle depth of flavor that complements the butter perfectly.

Salt and black pepper: These fundamental seasonings enhance the natural beef flavor and help create that savory base we’re looking for.

Onion powder: I prefer onion powder over fresh onions in this slow cooker recipe because it distributes more evenly and won’t become mushy during the long cooking time.

Paprika: This adds a gentle warmth and beautiful color to your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites without making them spicy.

Italian seasoning: The blend of oregano, thyme, and basil brings an aromatic herb complexity that makes this dish feel gourmet.

Fresh parsley: Always use fresh parsley for garnish because it adds a bright pop of color and fresh flavor that balances the rich, buttery sauce.

Cornstarch: This optional thickening agent helps create a silky sauce that coats the beef perfectly when mixed with a little water.

How to Cook Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites

Step 1. I usually start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat because searing the beef first creates those delicious caramelized flavors that make all the difference.

Step 2. Add beef cubes in small batches and sear until browned on all sides – my grandmother always said never to overcrowd the pan, and she was absolutely right about achieving that perfect golden crust.

Step 3. Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the skillet because those add incredible flavor to the final dish.

Step 4. In a small bowl, I mix the melted butter with minced garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning until everything is well combined and fragrant.

Step 5. Pour this garlic butter mixture over the beef in the slow cooker and toss everything together until each piece is beautifully coated – I’ve found this ensures even flavor distribution.

Step 6. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and practically falling apart.

Step 7. If you prefer a thicker sauce like I do, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking and stir it into the slow cooker.

Step 8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately over your favorite sides while the beef is hot and the sauce is at its most flavorful.

How to Store & Reheat

I usually store any leftover beef bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. Make sure the dish cools completely before sealing to prevent condensation from making the sauce watery.

For longer storage, I recommend freezing individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. In my experience, freezing works well with this recipe because the rich sauce protects the beef from freezer burn and maintains its tender texture.

For best results, I like to reheat these beef bites gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also use the microwave – just cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals to prevent the beef from drying out.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites

Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The fluffy texture of mashed potatoes soaks up that incredible garlic butter sauce perfectly, creating the ultimate comfort food combination that my family requests week after week.

Steamed White Rice: Plain white rice provides a neutral base that lets the rich, savory flavors of the beef really shine while making the meal more filling and satisfying.

Buttered Egg Noodles: Wide egg noodles complement the tender beef beautifully and create a hearty, pasta-style dinner that feels both elegant and comforting.

Roasted Green Beans: The crisp-tender texture and fresh flavor of roasted green beans provide a perfect contrast to the rich, buttery beef while adding important nutrients to your plate.

Crusty French Bread: A warm loaf of crusty bread is essential for sopping up every last drop of that amazing garlic butter sauce – trust me, you won’t want to waste a single bit.

Simple Garden Salad: A light salad with vinaigrette dressing adds freshness and helps balance the richness of the beef, making the overall meal feel more complete and satisfying.

FAQs

How do I prevent the beef from becoming tough in the slow cooker?

I recommend using chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling, and always cook on low heat for the full 5-6 hours to ensure the connective tissues break down properly for maximum tenderness.

Can I skip searing the beef before slow cooking?

While you can skip this step for convenience, I always sear the beef first because it creates deeper, more complex flavors through caramelization that really make this dish special.

What’s the best way to thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?

Mix one tablespoon each of cornstarch and cold water, then stir this slurry into the slow cooker during the last 15 minutes of cooking – it creates a silky, restaurant-quality sauce.

Can I use frozen beef for this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites recipe?

I recommend thawing the beef completely first for even cooking and better texture, though you can add an extra hour to the cooking time if using frozen beef in a pinch.

How do I know when the beef bites are done cooking?

The beef is ready when it easily falls apart with a fork and has absorbed most of the garlic butter flavors – typically after 5-6 hours on low heat for the most tender results.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites

Tender beef bites slow-cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect over mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 6 portions

Calories 425 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker
• skillet
• mixing bowl
• Tongs

Ingredients

  

• 2 pounds beef stew meat or chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or a mix of oregano, thyme, and basil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, for thickening
• 1 tablespoon water optional, for thickening
• fresh parsley optional, for garnish

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer to the slow cooker.
• In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
• Pour the garlic butter mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Toss to coat evenly.
• Cook on low for 5–6 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until beef is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
• To thicken the sauce (optional), mix cornstarch and water in a bowl. Stir into the slow cooker during the last 15–20 minutes of cooking.
• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or with crusty bread.

Notes

Use chuck roast or stew meat for best tenderness. Avoid lean cuts. Optional add-ins like mushrooms or pearl onions can boost flavor and texture. Searing adds a rich caramelized layer to the beef.

Keyword garlic butter beef, slow cooker beef, Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites