Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
These Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes are the kind of meal that makes everyone stop what they are doing and come to the table. Tender chunks of steak and buttery golden potatoes cook low and slow together in the most incredible garlic butter sauce, and by the time everything is done the whole house smells absolutely amazing. This is serious comfort food that feels indulgent but takes almost zero effort to put together.
I love this recipe because it is the perfect example of how a few simple ingredients can turn into something really special. Stew meat, mini potatoes, butter, garlic, and a handful of seasonings go into the slow cooker together, and what comes out four to five hours later is a rich, flavorful, fork-tender meal that tastes like you spent all day on it. The garlic butter coats every single piece of steak and potato and creates this incredible savory sauce that you will want to scoop up with a spoon.
This one is a regular in my dinner rotation because it is truly as easy as it gets. Dump everything in, set it, and come back to a meal that is ready to go. Whether you are feeding your family on a weeknight or meal prepping for the week, this recipe always delivers.
Why you’ll love Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Incredibly Tender Steak: The slow cooker breaks down the stew meat over several hours so it comes out fork-tender and full of flavor. No chewy bites, just melt-in-your-mouth steak every time.
- Rich Garlic Butter Flavor: Everything cooks together in garlic and butter, which means the steak and potatoes are completely coated in that rich, savory, buttery sauce by the time it is done.
- Only 10 Minutes of Prep: Add everything to the slow cooker and walk away. It truly does not get easier than this.
- Complete Meal in One Pot: Steak and potatoes together in the same pot means you have protein and a side dish all in one. Add a simple vegetable and dinner is done.
- Great for Meal Prep: This recipe makes 6 servings and reheats beautifully, making it a perfect option for prepping ahead and having meals ready throughout the week.
- Feeds the Whole Family: This is a crowd-pleasing meal that adults and kids both love. The flavors are bold but not spicy, making it a great option for the whole table.
- Budget Friendly: Stew meat is one of the more affordable cuts of beef, and the slow cooker transforms it into something that tastes like a much more expensive meal.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything goes into one pot and stays there. Less dishes means more time to enjoy the meal.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED
Full ingredients and amounts are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for notes on each ingredient and substitution ideas.
- Stew Meat: This is typically cubed chuck or round beef that is perfect for slow cooking. The tough connective tissue in stew meat breaks down beautifully over hours in the slow cooker, turning into incredibly tender, flavorful bites. Do not be tempted to use a more expensive cut here. The slow cooker does all the work and stew meat gives you the best result.
- Mini Golden Potatoes: These are the perfect potato for this recipe. Their thin skin means you do not need to peel them, they hold their shape during the long cook time, and they absorb all that garlic butter flavor like a sponge. The slightly buttery flavor of golden potatoes pairs perfectly with the sauce.
- Kinder’s The Blend Seasoning: This is the seasoning that ties everything together and gives the dish its signature savory depth. It is a blend of salt, pepper, and garlic that works perfectly here. If you cannot find it, a simple mix of equal parts salt, pepper, and garlic powder is a great substitute.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps season the meat and potatoes throughout. Season to taste at the end if needed.
- Black Pepper: Adds warmth and a little bite that balances the richness of the butter. Do not skip it.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle savory sweetness that rounds out the flavor of the whole dish without needing to chop or add actual onions.
- Butter: One full stick of butter creates the rich, glossy sauce that everything cooks in and coats every piece of steak and potato. Do not reduce this. The butter is what makes this dish so incredibly flavorful and indulgent.
- Minced Garlic: The backbone of the entire flavor profile. Two tablespoons of garlic might sound like a lot but it mellows and sweetens as it cooks low and slow and infuses the entire dish with that bold, savory garlic flavor.
- Optional
- broccoli
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GARLIC BUTTER STEAK BITES AND POTATOES
- Do Not Skip the Full Cook Time: Stew meat needs time to break down and become tender. Cutting the cook time short will leave you with tougher, chewier meat. Let it cook the full 4 to 5 hours on high for the best result.
- Keep the Potatoes Whole: Mini golden potatoes can go in whole and they will cook perfectly. Keeping them whole helps them hold their shape and gives you that satisfying bite alongside the steak.
- Cut Potatoes in Half If You Want Them Softer: If you prefer your potatoes to absorb even more of the garlic butter sauce and be a little softer, halve them before adding them in. They will soak up even more flavor.
- Use a Full Stick of Butter: Do not reduce the butter. It is what creates the rich, glossy sauce that makes this dish so incredible. As it melts and mixes with the garlic and seasonings, it becomes the coating for everything in the pot.
- Fresh Minced Garlic is Best: Pre-minced garlic from a jar works fine but fresh minced garlic gives you a stronger, more aromatic flavor. If you have a few extra minutes, mince it fresh.
- Stir Once Halfway Through If You Can: Giving everything a gentle stir about halfway through the cook time helps make sure the butter and garlic coat all the steak and potatoes evenly.
- Add Broccoli in the Last 30 Minutes: If you want to add broccoli directly to the slow cooker, add it in the last 30 minutes of cooking so it does not get overcooked and mushy. It will soak up the garlic butter flavor beautifully.
- Do Not Add Water or Broth: This recipe does not need any added liquid. The butter melts down and the meat releases its own juices, creating a rich sauce naturally. Adding water will thin it out and dilute the flavor.
- Check for Tenderness Before Serving: Before you declare it done, poke a piece of steak with a fork. It should pull apart easily and feel completely tender. If it still has some resistance, give it another 30 minutes.
- Season to Taste at the End: After cooking, taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed. The flavors concentrate as they cook so it will likely be perfectly seasoned but a little extra salt right at the end can make everything pop.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The garlic butter sauce will firm up slightly as it cools but melts right back down when reheated.
- Freezer: This recipe freezes well. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. The potatoes may be slightly softer in texture after freezing but the flavor will still be great.
- To Reheat from the Fridge: Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring gently so the butter sauce coats everything again. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 to 60 second intervals, stirring between each one.
- To Reheat from the Freezer: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave as above. Add a small pat of butter while reheating if the sauce needs a little extra richness.
- Meal Prep Tip: Portion leftovers into individual containers right after cooking. This makes it super easy to grab a ready-made meal throughout the week without any extra effort.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make the steak extra tender? Letting it cook the full time is the most important thing. The slow cooker works by breaking down the tough connective tissue in stew meat over several hours. The longer it goes, the more tender it becomes. Do not rush it. If you have extra time, cooking it on low for 7 to 8 hours will give you an even more tender result.
Can I use a different cut of beef? Stew meat is ideal for this recipe because it is designed for long, slow cooking. You can also use cubed chuck roast, which is essentially the same thing cut into larger pieces. Avoid leaner cuts like sirloin or tenderloin for this recipe as they can dry out over the long cook time.
Can I cut the potatoes smaller? Yes. Halving the mini potatoes will help them absorb more of the garlic butter sauce and cook a little faster. If you want them very soft and almost falling apart, cut them smaller. If you prefer them to hold their shape with a little bite, leave them whole.
What else can I add to this? Mushrooms and onions are both excellent additions that pair really well with the garlic butter flavor. Add them right at the beginning with everything else. Green beans also work great and hold up well during the cook time.
Can I cook this on low instead of high? Yes. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours for an even more tender result. This is a great option if you want to start it in the morning and have it ready by dinner.
What is Kinder’s The Blend seasoning and can I substitute it? Kinder’s The Blend is a popular all-purpose seasoning blend made with salt, pepper, and garlic. It is widely available at most grocery stores and warehouse clubs. If you cannot find it, a simple mix of equal parts salt, black pepper, and garlic powder makes a great substitute.
Do I need to add any liquid? No. This recipe does not need any added water or broth. The butter melts down and the meat releases its own juices as it cooks, which creates the sauce naturally. Adding liquid would thin it out and dilute all that great garlic butter flavor.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, this recipe doubles well as long as you have a large enough slow cooker. A 6 to 7 quart slow cooker should comfortably fit a doubled batch. The cook time should remain the same.
How do I know when it is done? The steak is done when it is fork-tender and pulls apart easily. The potatoes should be soft all the way through when pierced with a fork. If the meat still feels tough or the potatoes have resistance, give it another 30 minutes and check again.
About me
Hi! I’m Mercedes and I am the creator of “Life with Mercedes,” a food, recipe and lifestyle blog. I’m a huge foodie, proud mom and wife! I’m based in NY and grew up in an Italian/Hispanic family. Let’s just say I ate a lot of pasta and pizza growing up, so I love sharing Italian recipes!
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Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
Garlic butter steak bites and potatoes are one of those meals that just hit every time, and the crockpot makes it so easy to throw together. Everything cooks in that rich garlic butter and turns into a super flavorful and filling meal.
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
4 hours
Total Time:
4 hours 10 mins
Serving:
6
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs of stew meat
- 24 oz bag of mini golden potatoes
- ½ teaspoon of Kinder’s The Blend seasoning
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 stick of butter
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
Options
- broccoli
Instructions
- Add to the slow cooker:
- stew meat
- mini golden potatoes
- Kinder’s The Blend seasoning
- salt
- black pepper
- onion powder
- butter
- minced garlic
- Set the slow cooker on high for 4 to 5 hours
- Optional: serve with a side of broccoli
- Serve and enjoy
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