Tender beef bites, baby potatoes, and a rich garlic butter sauce all cook together in the slow cooker, creating a savory, melt-in-your-mouth dish. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners without the hassle of constant monitoring.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours (low) or 2–3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4–5 hours 15 minutes
🧰 Equipment
- Slow cooker (4–6 quart)
- Skillet (optional for browning beef)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 ½ lbs beef sirloin or chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 ½ lbs baby potatoes, halved or quartered if large
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Beef: Sirloin is tender and cooks well; chuck is flavorful but slightly firmer.
- Potatoes: Baby potatoes cook evenly; larger potatoes should be quartered.
- Butter & Garlic: Creates a rich, aromatic sauce that coats the beef and potatoes.
👩🍳 Instructions
- Optional Sear for Flavor
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Quickly sear beef cubes 1–2 minutes per side until browned (optional but adds depth).
- Prepare Slow Cooker
- Place halved potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add beef on top.
- Add Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour over beef and potatoes.
- Pour beef broth around the sides (not over) to keep sauce on top.
- Cook
- Cover and cook 4–5 hours on low or 2–3 hours on high, until beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
- Finish & Serve
- Stir gently to coat everything in garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot as a main dish with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
💡 Tips
- Searing beef first enhances flavor but isn’t mandatory.
- Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
- Check potatoes midway; if they cook faster than beef, remove or mash some for a thicker sauce.
🔄 Variations
- Spicy Garlic Butter: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne or hot paprika.
- Cheesy Version: Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top 10 minutes before serving.
- Vegetable Boost: Add carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Herb Variation: Swap thyme for rosemary or Italian seasoning for a different aroma.
