Hello there, I’m Callie! If you’re like me, constantly juggling between work and home, you’re going to love this one-pot wonder: Slow Cooker Garlic Beef Bites. It’s a simple recipe that demands little attention but delivers big, comforting flavors. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for leftovers that get better by the day, this beef and potato stew has got you covered.
The magic here lies in the slow cooker—let it do all the hard work while you tackle other tasks. Speaking of easy dinners, have you tried my Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe yet? It’s another one-pot wonder that’ll save you a ton of time.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Let’s chat about why this recipe is a weeknight hero:
Zero fuss: This recipe is simple; just a handful of ingredients and a bit of prep, then the slow cooker takes over.
Hearty and wholesome: Packed with protein from the beef and fiber from the baby potatoes, it’s a complete meal.
Flavor explosion: Thanks to the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika, every bite is bursting with rich taste.
Honestly, the hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to cook!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the beef
Start by combining the beef stew meat with Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Toss until every cube is fully coated with the seasoning mixture.
Assemble the slow cooker
Once your beef is seasoned, place the halved baby potatoes at the bottom of your slow cooker. Drizzle them with half the melted butter and olive oil, and sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the potatoes.
Layer the seasoned beef cubes on top of the potatoes. Finish by pouring the remaining melted butter and olive oil over the beef.
Cooking time
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or if you’re pressed for time, on high for 3 to 4 hours. The goal is to have beef that’s fork-tender and potatoes cooked through.
Finishing touches
Before serving, gently stir to combine the beef and potatoes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Recipe tips & variations
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want a bit of heat.
Veggie boost: Add carrots or peas during the last hour of cooking for extra nutrients.
Different proteins: Not feeling beef? Use chicken thighs instead, with a similar cook time.
Storage & reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. When reheating, a quick zap in the microwave or a gentle warm-up on the stove will work wonders. A splash of broth can help liven things up if the stew looks too thick.
FAQs
- Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
- Absolutely! Just cut them into smaller chunks to ensure they cook evenly.
- Can this be made with frozen beef?
- Ideally, thaw your beef first. Starting with frozen meat can result in uneven cooking.
- Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
- Just ensure your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free. Most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- Can I cook it in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
- You sure can. Use a covered Dutch oven set to 300°F for about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Recipes you may like
And there you have it! Let the slow cooker work its magic while you carry on with your day. I hope this beef and potato stew brings warmth and ease into your kitchen just as it has in mine. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Garlic Beef Bites
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A comforting one-pot beef and potato stew that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by combining the beef stew meat with Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Toss until every cube is fully coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Once your beef is seasoned, place the halved baby potatoes at the bottom of your slow cooker. Drizzle them with half the melted butter and olive oil, and sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the potatoes.
- Layer the seasoned beef cubes on top of the potatoes. Finish by pouring the remaining melted butter and olive oil over the beef.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or if you’re pressed for time, on high for 3 to 4 hours. The goal is to have beef that’s fork-tender and potatoes cooked through.
- Before serving, gently stir to combine the beef and potatoes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want a bit of heat.
- Feel free to add carrots or peas during the last hour of cooking for more nutrients.
- You can use chicken thighs instead of beef, keeping the cook time similar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg