There’s something incredibly cozy about tender steak bites swimming in a buttery, garlicky sauce that’s been slow-cooked to perfection. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe with you—it’s an effortless way to enjoy rich, melt-in-your-mouth steak without standing over the stove all evening.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it transforms simple steak into a luxurious dinner, no fancy skills required. I love how the slow cooker develops those deep, savory flavors while keeping every bite incredibly tender.
- Hands-Off Cooking: You toss everything in the slow cooker and forget it—perfect for busy days or when you want a stress-free dinner.
- Ultimate Tenderness: Slow cooking breaks down the meat beautifully, making each steak bite juicy and buttery soft.
- Garlic Butter Goodness: The rich sauce infused with fresh garlic and butter adds that crave-worthy depth of flavor.
- Versatile Serving: These steak bites pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice for a filling, comforting meal.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic in this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe comes from quality ingredients working together effortlessly. Each one plays a key role—from seasoning to sauce—that guarantees those mouthwatering steak bites.
- Sirloin Steak or Chuck Roast: Both are great for slow cooking; sirloin gives you leaner meat while chuck roast adds that melt-in-your-mouth fattiness.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning the beef well and helping it retain moisture during cooking.
- Black Pepper: Adds just enough heat and complexity without overpowering the garlic sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Boosts the garlicky flavor for those who want that punch in every bite.
- Paprika: Adds a sweet, smoky undertone without spiciness—perfect to balance the richness.
- Olive Oil: Used for searing the meat and onions, bringing out deeper flavors before slow cooking.
- Sweet Onion: Thinly sliced onions soften beautifully in the crockpot, adding subtle sweetness.
- Low Sodium Beef Broth: Provides a savory base and keeps the steak juicy as it cooks.
- Au Jus Gravy Mix: Adds a rich, beefy depth and helps thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Fresh Garlic: Pressed garlic gives the sauce a bright, fresh kick you’ll notice right away.
- Unsalted Butter: Sliced in and melted slowly, butter rounds out the sauce with luscious richness.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley: An easy garnish that adds color and a fresh contrast to the buttery sauce.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this recipe depending on what I’m in the mood for or what’s in my pantry. You can easily swap out ingredients or add extras to make it your own.
- Variation: One of my favorite twists is adding mushrooms along with the onions—they soak up the garlic butter sauce perfectly and add an earthy flavor.
- Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, sprinkle in some smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne for your own version of spicy steak bites.
- Herb Boost: Fresh thyme or rosemary stirred in during the last hour of cooking gives it an aromatic touch that feels really special.
- Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly version without losing any flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Steak Bites
Start by patting your steak cubes dry—this helps get a nice crust. Then, generously season with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, and sear the steak bites in batches. Don’t overcrowd the pan or they’ll steam instead of brown. You want that golden crust for extra flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions
Using the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and toss in the thinly sliced sweet onions. Cook until softened and slightly caramelized—about 5 minutes. Those sweet onions add a lovely balance to the garlicky richness later on.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Transfer the seared steak and onions to your slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and sprinkle the Au Jus gravy mix evenly over the top. Press in the fresh garlic cloves, then layer the sliced butter over everything. The butter melts slowly, infusing the sauce with incredible richness.
Step 4: Let It Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on LOW for about 7 hours or until the steak is fork-tender. The slow cooking process gives the garlic and butter time to fully integrate with the beef, creating an indulgent sauce.
Top Tip
From countless dinners making these steak bites, I’ve learned a few tips that really make the difference between good and spectacular.
- Sear in Batches: Never crowd the pan when browning the steak—it’s tempting to rush, but that sear adds essential flavor and texture.
- Don’t Skip the Butter: I used to skimp, but the butter is what turns this from just “good” to downright luxurious.
- Fresh Garlic Over Powder: Adding pressed fresh garlic at the end of prep really brightens the dish, while garlic powder is better early for seasoning.
- Check Your Slow Cooker Temperature: Slow cookers vary a lot, so if your beef isn’t as tender as you like after 7 hours, just add more time instead of bumping the heat.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I always top these steak bites with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley—it adds a pop of color and a clean, fresh note that cuts through the rich sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
Nothing beats serving this alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles, which soak up that garlic butter sauce perfectly. On lighter days, I’m all about garlic green beans or roasted asparagus to keep it fresh and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like serving these steak bites in individual mini cast iron skillets—it keeps everything warm and feels chef-worthy. Adding a dollop of horseradish cream on the side also adds a fun zing that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep amazingly well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the steak bites get even more flavorful after a day, though the butter sauce may firm up—just warm gently before serving.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully too. Just portion the steak bites and sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently in a skillet on low heat or in the microwave with a splash of beef broth to keep the sauce smooth. Take care not to overheat or the steak can become tough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While sirloin and chuck roast are ideal for tenderness and flavor, you can also use ribeye or even brisket, but adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure softness.
Make sure to sear the meat properly and cook low and slow in the crockpot. Avoid high heat as it can dry out the steak. Also, do not skip the butter since it helps keep the meat moist and tender.
Yes! Just be sure to choose a gluten-free Au Jus gravy mix or make your own gravy blend. Most other ingredients like beef, garlic, and butter are naturally gluten-free.
Serve the steak bites buffet style with sides like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and crusty bread. You can keep the slow cooker on the warm setting so guests can help themselves anytime.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe has found a permanent place in my dinner rotation—it’s a dish that feels like a big warm hug after a busy day. I hope you’ll try this recipe soon and enjoy both the easy process and the incredible flavor as much as I do. Trust me, sharing it with friends will have everyone asking for seconds!
Print
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites are tender, flavorful, and cooked low and slow in a rich garlic-butter sauce with sweet onions. Made with sirloin or chuck roast, this comforting crockpot dinner is perfect over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Ingredients
Meat
- 4 pounds Sirloin Steak or Chuck Roast, cut into bite-sized cubes
Seasonings
- 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher Salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika, not the hot one
Other Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, divided
- 1 large Sweet Onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Low Sodium Beef Broth
- 1-ounce packet Au Jus Gravy Mix
- 6 cloves Garlic, pressed
- 5 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, sliced
- Chopped Fresh Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Steak: Cut the sirloin steak or chuck roast into bite-sized cubes, then season with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to evenly coat the meat.
- Sear the Steak: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding and sear until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Transfer the seared steak to the slow cooker.
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the pressed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour the beef broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the au jus gravy mix until dissolved. Pour the mixture over the steak in the slow cooker.
- Cook Low and Slow: Place the sliced unsalted butter on top of the steak and onions in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, until the steak is tender and infused with garlic butter flavor.
- Finish and Serve: Stir the steak bites to combine with the garlic butter sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use sirloin or chuck roast for tender, flavorful steak bites.
- Do not skip the searing step; it adds important flavor through browning.
- You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter if preferred but adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, white or brown rice for a complete meal.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 413 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Leave a Reply