Description
A hands-off, comforting slow cooker recipe featuring tender beef bites and baby potatoes cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy days and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast or stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes (red or Yukon gold), or regular potatoes chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 large garlic cloves, minced (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 cup beef broth (240 ml), low-sodium preferred
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
- Black pepper to taste (start with ½ teaspoon)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning beef, optional)
- Optional add-ins: 2 medium carrots, cut into chunks; fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef bites with salt and pepper. Brown beef in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until a crust forms. (Optional but recommended.)
- In the same skillet or a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and chopped thyme. Remove from heat.
- Place baby potatoes (and carrots if using) at the bottom of the crockpot. Add browned beef bites on top.
- Pour garlic butter sauce evenly over the beef and potatoes. Add beef broth. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until beef is tender and potatoes have absorbed the garlic butter flavor.
- Before serving, gently stir the mixture. Adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for garnish. Serve hot.
Notes
Browning the beef before slow cooking adds extra flavor but can be skipped for convenience. Use fresh garlic for best taste. Butter is key for richness. Cooking low and slow for 6 hours ensures tender beef. Baby potatoes or Yukon gold hold up best; russets may fall apart. Save leftover garlic butter sauce for mashed potatoes or bread. You can prep the night before and refrigerate the crockpot insert. For dairy-free, substitute butter with margarine or coconut oil and ensure broth is dairy-free. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce to keep recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, garlic butter beef, beef bites, potatoes, easy dinner, comfort food, hands-off cooking