Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Potatoes
Juicy steak bites and tender baby potatoes cooked in garlic butter for a comforting, hands-off meal.
I first tried this slow cooker garlic butter steak bites and potatoes on a rainy weeknight when I wanted something comforting with almost zero babysitting. The result: juicy, garlicky steak morsels and tender baby potatoes that soak up a buttery sauce—effortless enough for a worknight, special enough for weekend company. If you want a faster take, I sometimes use a 15-minute garlic butter steak bites and potatoes version when time’s tight, but this slow-cooker method wins for hands-off tenderness.
Why you’ll love this dish
This recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The slow cooker lets the garlic butter perfume the steak and potatoes slowly, giving a deeper, melded flavor than quick skillet methods. It’s:
- Hands-off: toss, set, and forget for busy evenings.
- Budget-friendly: sirloin or flank give great results without steakhouse prices.
- Family-friendly: potatoes make it a complete meal kids usually like.
- Versatile: easily doubles, swaps herbs, or converts to a high-protein meal for meal prep.
How this recipe comes together
Step-by-step overview before you cook so you know what to expect:
- Trim and cube the steak; wash potatoes if needed.
- Toss potatoes in a touch of butter or oil and season.
- Layer potatoes in the slow cooker, add steak on top, and dot with garlic butter.
- Season with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
- Cook on low for 3–4 hours (or high 1.5–2.5 hours) until potatoes are tender and steak is cooked to preference.
- Finish with chopped parsley if desired and serve.
This flow keeps the potatoes from over-mushing beneath the steak and concentrates the garlic-butter flavor.
What you’ll need
- 1.5 pounds steak (sirloin or flank steak), trimmed and cut into 1–1.5 inch cubes
- Substitution: skirt or flat iron work, but adjust cook time—flank is leaner and benefits from shorter slow-cook times.
- 1 pound baby potatoes, whole or halved if larger
- Note: Yukon gold or small red potatoes are great alternatives.
- 4 tablespoons garlic butter (store-bought or compound butter)
- If you only have plain butter, stir in 2–3 minced garlic cloves.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning)
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Small substitutions: use olive oil instead of butter (different flavor), or add a splash of beef broth for extra sauce.
Directions to follow
Preparation
- Pat steak pieces dry and season with salt and pepper. This helps browning if you choose to sear.
- If potatoes are large, halve or quarter them so pieces are similar-sized to steak.
- Place a thin layer of potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Cooking
4. Arrange steak cubes over the potatoes. Dot the garlic butter evenly over steak and potatoes.
5. Sprinkle the dried herbs and a little extra salt and pepper over everything.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, or HIGH for 1.5–2.5 hours. Check at the lower end to avoid overcooking flank or sirloin.
7. Optional sear: for more crust, quickly sear steak cubes in a hot skillet for 30–60 seconds per side before adding to slow cooker.
8. When potatoes are fork-tender and steak reaches your desired doneness (see Tips), garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Short, active sentences and clear verbs help you move through the recipe efficiently.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Prep
- 15 MIN
- Cook
- 4 HRS
- Total
- 4 HRS 15 MIN
- Serves
- 4
01Ingredients
Main Ingredients
02Method
- Preparation
- Cooking
Tap a step when it's done. The next one lights up.
0 OF 8 DONE03Recipe notes
- 01Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated up to 3–4 days. For a heartier meal, serve alongside buttered egg noodles or mashed cauliflower.
04Nutrition
Per serving- Calories
- 445
- Protein
- 38G
- Net carbs
- 16G
- Fat
- 24G
- Fiber
- 2G
Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber. Numbers are estimates from the ingredients listed.
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Best ways to enjoy it
- Plate steak bites and potatoes with a spoonful of the buttery cooking juices.
- Pair with a crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, or garlic green beans to add freshness.
- For a heartier meal, serve alongside buttered egg noodles or mashed cauliflower.
- Drink pairing: a chilled hibiscus iced tea or a fruity black cherry soda complements the garlic-butter richness.
For weeknight family style, serve directly from the slow cooker with crusty bread to sop up sauce.
Storage and reheating tips
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated up to 3–4 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat gently to avoid drying the steak: warm in a covered skillet with a splash of broth over medium-low heat, or bake at 325°F (160°C) covered for 12–15 minutes if cold. Microwave short bursts, stirring, to retain moisture.
Food safety: ensure reheated pieces reach 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
Creative twists
- Lemon-Herb: add 1 tsp lemon zest and swap rosemary for thyme for a brighter finish.
- Mushroom & Onion: toss in sliced mushrooms and a halved onion for an all-in-one stew.
- Spicy Kick: add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño with the garlic butter.
- Keto: omit potatoes and double the mushrooms or add cauliflower florets.
- BBQ Variation: stir 2 tbsp of your favorite BBQ sauce into the butter before cooking for a tangy-sweet glaze.
These twists keep the core technique and change the final flavor profile.
Your questions answered
How long does this take start to finish?
A: Active prep is about 10–15 minutes. Cook time is 1.5–4 hours depending on LOW/HIGH and the cut—plan 2.5–3 hours on LOW as a safe average.
Should I sear the steak first?
A: Searing is optional. It adds flavor and texture but is not required for tenderness. If you sear, pat the meat dry, use high heat, and sear just 30–60 seconds per side.
What internal temperature should the steak reach?
A: For food safety and quality, aim for 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare to medium with a 3-minute rest. Remember slow cookers hold steady heat—check early to avoid overcooking lean cuts like flank.
Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes—use a larger slow cooker and avoid packing it too tightly. You may need to add 30–60 minutes more cooking time.
Can I use frozen steak?
A: It’s not recommended to start with frozen steak in a slow cooker; it prolongs time in the food safety danger zone. Thaw overnight in the fridge first.
Conclusion
This slow cooker garlic butter steak bites & potatoes recipe is perfect for when you want rich flavor without standing over the stove. For more ideas, check out Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes and my High Protein Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites.
Crockpot & Slow Cooker
Crockpot & Slow Cooker
Crockpot & Slow Cooker
