Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is the kind of hearty, comforting meal that feels like home cooking at its best. The beef becomes incredibly tender as it cooks low and slow, soaking up the rich garlic butter flavors, while the potatoes turn soft and buttery without falling apart. I often rely on this recipe on busy days when I want a satisfying dinner without standing over the stove. Everything goes into the slow cooker, and a few hours later, the house smells amazing and dinner is ready. This dish is filling, family-friendly, and made with simple ingredients, yet it delivers deep, savory flavor. If you enjoy no-fuss meals that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, this recipe is a perfect choice.
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes (Tender, Comforting, and Effortless)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
A comforting slow cooker meal featuring tender beef simmered in a rich garlic butter sauce with baby potatoes, resulting in a flavorful and hearty one-pot dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Place the beef chunks and halved potatoes into the slow cooker.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat and add minced garlic; cook until fragrant.
- Stir in beef broth, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture over the beef and potatoes.
- Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until beef is tender.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, add an additional tablespoon of butter before serving.
- You can substitute baby carrots for part of the potatoes.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Beef Chuck Roast or Stew Beef
Beef chuck roast or stew beef is ideal for slow cooking, becoming tender and flavorful over time.
Baby Potatoes
Baby potatoes cook evenly and absorb the garlic butter sauce beautifully.
Butter
Butter creates the rich base of the sauce and adds indulgent flavor.
Garlic
Garlic is the star flavor, infusing the dish with savory depth.
Beef Broth
Beef broth adds moisture and enhances the overall beefy flavor.
Olive Oil
Olive oil helps sear the beef and adds richness.
Onion
Onion adds natural sweetness and balances the garlic butter.
Paprika
Paprika adds color and mild warmth.
Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning provides a blend of herbs that complements the beef.
Salt
Salt enhances all the flavors in the dish.
Black Pepper
Black pepper adds gentle heat and balance.
Fresh Parsley
Fresh parsley adds freshness and color before serving.
Directions
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt, black pepper, and paprika, then sear on all sides until browned. This step adds depth of flavor.
Transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add baby potatoes and sliced onion around the beef.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and stir in the minced garlic. Cook gently for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
Pour the garlic butter over the beef and potatoes. Add beef broth and sprinkle Italian seasoning over the top.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are soft.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment needed :
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 to 6 people.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 7–8 hours on low or 4–5 hours on high
Total time: approximately 8 hours
Storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. The flavors deepen after a day, making leftovers even better.
Variations and Customizations
This recipe is easy to adapt. You can add carrots or mushrooms for extra vegetables. I tested it with carrots, and they absorbed the garlic butter flavor beautifully.
For extra richness, stir in a splash of heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the final 30 minutes or mash a few potatoes into the liquid.
For a herb-forward version, add fresh thyme or rosemary along with the Italian seasoning.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
Approximate nutrition per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 540 kcal |
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbs | 28 g |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Saturated Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
Expert Tips & Customizations
Sear the Beef First
This builds deeper flavor.
Use Fresh Garlic
Fresh garlic provides the best aroma and taste.
Do Not Overcrowd
Allow space so potatoes cook evenly.
Low and Slow Is Best
Long cooking makes the beef tender.
Garnish at the End
Fresh herbs brighten the dish.
FAQs
What cut of beef works best?
Chuck roast or stew beef is ideal for slow cooking.
Can I skip searing the beef?
Yes, but searing adds more flavor.
Can I use large potatoes?
Yes, cut them into even-sized pieces.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it reheats very well.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it is naturally gluten-free.
What can I serve with this?
A green salad or crusty bread pairs well.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is a comforting, flavorful meal that delivers tender beef and buttery potatoes with minimal effort. Perfect for busy days or cozy family dinners, this recipe proves that simple ingredients and a slow cooker can create deeply satisfying results. It is a reliable, hearty dish you will want to make again and again.
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