Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is a delightful dish that combines tender beef with flavorful garlic butter sauce and hearty baby potatoes. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe not only provides robust flavors but also fills the room with a mouthwatering aroma as it cooks. It’s simple enough for a weeknight meal yet special enough to impress your guests.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker) or 3-4 hours (high setting)
- Total Time: 6-8 hours 15 minutes or 3-4 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
- Calories per serving: 360
- Protein: 27g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 650mg
Why Make This Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
This dish is a wonderful choice for anyone looking to create a satisfying and flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of garlic butter and tender beef creates a savory taste that perfectly complements the creamy texture of baby potatoes. Plus, it cooks beautifully in a slow cooker, allowing you to simulate the effect of a long simmer without the actual effort. Just set it and forget it until dinnertime!
How to Make Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds Beef stew meat (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 pound Baby potatoes (Halved for even cooking)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (Melted for the garlic butter sauce)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced for flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder (Adds depth to the flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika (For a smoky flavor)
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme (Enhances the aroma)
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried rosemary (Adds a fragrant touch)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (For seasoning)
- 0.25 cup Beef broth (To keep the dish moist)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil (For searing the beef)
Directions:
### Step 1: Preparation
Gather all ingredients, cutting the beef into bite-sized pieces and halving the baby potatoes for even cooking. If you want to soften the potatoes a bit, you can parboil them for a few minutes.
### Step 2: Searing
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef bites until they’re browned on all sides—this step adds great flavor and texture.
### Step 3: Mixing
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a rich and fragrant garlic butter sauce.
### Step 4: Cooking
In your slow cooker, place the halved baby potatoes, followed by the seared beef bites. Pour the garlic butter sauce over everything, then add the beef broth to keep the dish moist. 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.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
Serve these flavorful bites hot, straight from the slow cooker. They make a wonderful main course alongside a fresh salad or some steamed vegetables. Consider pairing with crusty bread to mop up the delicious garlic butter sauce. For a cozy dinner, add a glass of red wine for a delightful finish.
How to Store Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to store it longer, consider freezing it for up to 3 months; just make sure to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Expert Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- For extra flavor, marinate the beef in garlic and herbs for a few hours before cooking.
- You can add vegetables like carrots or peas for more color and nutrition.
- If you prefer crispy edges on the beef, sear it in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
- Experiment with different herbs according to your taste—oregano or parsley can be great substitutes.
Delicious Variations
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: Swap beef with chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Vegetarian Option: Use mixed veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers tossed in garlic butter for a tasty meatless dish.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for some heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use frozen beef or potatoes? Yes, you can use frozen beef; just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking. Frozen potatoes are not recommended as they may become mushy.
- What if I don’t have a slow cooker? You can make this recipe in an oven-safe pot on low heat. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure the beef becomes tender.
- Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker can accommodate the extra ingredients. You may need to increase the cooking time slightly.
- Is the garlic butter sauce adaptable? Yes, feel free to adjust the garlic and herbs to suit your taste or to use up any vegetables you have on hand.
- How do I know when the beef is done? The beef is done when it’s fork-tender and has easily pulled apart, which usually takes about 6-8 hours on low.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes is a comforting and flavorful dish that is easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. With its tender beef and aromatic garlic butter sauce, this recipe is perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions. The simplicity of the preparation makes it accessible for cooks of any level, encouraging you to bring this delightful recipe to your dinner table. Enjoy the process, savor the smells that fill your kitchen, and delight in the wonderful flavors of this dish!
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Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
- Total Time: 375 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delightful dish combining tender beef with flavorful garlic butter sauce and hearty baby potatoes, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
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, or to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients, cutting the beef into bite-sized pieces and halving the baby potatoes for even cooking. Optionally, parboil the potatoes for a few minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. 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. Stir to create a garlic butter sauce.
- In the slow cooker, place halved potatoes, followed by seared beef bites. Pour garlic butter sauce over, then add beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until beef is fork-tender. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the beef in garlic and herbs for a few hours before cooking. Consider adding vegetables like carrots or peas for more nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 360 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg