Garlic butter beef and potatoes is a hands-off slow-cooker meal built around tender stew beef, potatoes, a small amount of broth, and seasoned butter. The quantities below use 1 1/2 pounds of beef and 2 pounds of potatoes for four servings.
Ingredients
For four servings, use 1 1/2 pounds stew beef, 2 pounds potatoes cut into similar-size pieces, 1 to 2 tablespoons oil for searing, and 1/4 cup beef broth. The garlic butter combines 4 tablespoons unsalted butter with 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon each onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme, plus salt and black pepper to taste. The printable recipe card is below.
Method
- Pat the beef dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Browning adds flavor; the slow cooker finishes cooking it.
- Place the beef in the slow cooker. Wash and cut the potatoes into roughly even pieces, then arrange them around the beef. Pour in the beef broth.
- Soften the butter and stir in the garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, and a little more salt and pepper. Spoon the seasoned butter over the beef and potatoes.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Slow cookers vary, so check tenderness before serving and allow more time if needed.
Helpful notes
Keep the lid closed during cooking; lifting it repeatedly loses heat and extends the cooking time. Cut russet potatoes into larger chunks so they hold their shape. Small yellow potatoes can be halved instead. If the liquid tastes too concentrated at the end, stir in a splash of warm broth. For another slow-cooker beef option, see crock pot beef tips and gravy.
Serving
Serve the beef and potatoes together with their cooking juices and a green vegetable or crisp salad. Since this is already a substantial one-pot dinner, rice or noodles are optional rather than necessary. If you want a quicker beef-and-potato meal, try garlic butter steak bites.
Easy Garlic Butter Beef and Potatoes Crock Pot Meal
An incredibly easy and delicious crock pot meal featuring tender stew beef and flavorful potatoes, all infused with a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy days, this recipe allows you to use up ingredients from your freezer and enjoy a hearty, comforting dinner with minimal effort. The meat becomes fall-apart tender, and the potatoes cook perfectly, making it a household favorite.
- 1 1/2 lb beef stew meat
- 2 lb russet potatoes (cut into even chunks)
- 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a cast iron skillet or other heavy pan over medium-high heat until hot.
- Add the stew beef bites to the hot oil and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. Do this in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Carefully transfer the seared beef to the bottom of your crock pot.
- Wash and chop the potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces. You can peel them if desired, but leaving the skins on is also an option.
- Arrange the chopped potatoes around and over the beef in the crock pot. Try to pile some of the potatoes towards the middle to ensure even cooking and prevent scorching on the sides.
- Pour the beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes in the crock pot.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until a paste forms.
- Spoon the garlic butter mixture over the beef and potatoes in the crock pot, trying to distribute it evenly. It will melt and run down as it cooks.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Slow cookers vary; continue cooking if needed.
- Serve hot and enjoy your tender garlic butter beef and potatoes.
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