If you’re anything like me, you love a recipe that’s both ridiculously easy and packed with rich, soulful flavor. That’s exactly why I adore this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe—it turns humble steak bites into a tender, buttery feast with zero hassle. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without standing over the stove all evening, it’s a real game-changer in my kitchen.
What makes this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe so special is how the garlic butter melts into every bite while the slow cooker does all the work, creating melt-in-your-mouth steak with a savory au jus sauce. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll quickly become one of your go-tos for cozy dinners or casual get-togethers where everyone wants hearty, comforting food.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Pop everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you relax or prep sides.
- Ultimate Flavor: Garlic butter and au jus gravy combine to make the steak bites rich and full of deep, savory notes.
- Versatile Pairings: It pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles to soak up that glorious sauce.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner, this recipe delivers reliably delicious results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe plays a key role in making the finished dish full-bodied and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Investing in quality sirloin and fresh garlic really elevates the flavor, so grab the best you can find.
- Sirloin steak: Choose a tender cut like sirloin for juicy bites that slow cook beautifully.
- Kosher salt: Enhances natural flavors without overpowering.
- Black pepper: Adds mild heat and depth.
- Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil to get a good sear on the steak pieces without burning.
- Sweet onion: Thinly sliced for sweetness and softness during cooking.
- Garlic cloves: Thin slices infuse the butter and beef with robust flavor.
- Unsalted beef stock: Adds rich moisture and helps create the savory sauce.
- Au jus gravy mix: Sprinkled on top to intensify the beefy goodness without extra fuss.
- Unsalted butter: Thin slices melt to create that luscious garlic butter coating.
Variations
I love that this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is a fantastic canvas for personal tweaks. I’ve played around with swapping in different herbs or adjusting cooking times to suit my family’s taste, and you’ll find it forgiving to any tweaks you dream up.
- Herb Boost: I sometimes toss in fresh rosemary or thyme to add an earthy layer that pairs wonderfully with the garlic butter.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during the slow cooking stage for a subtle heat that wakes up the dish.
- Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium beef stock and reduced-salt seasoning if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Mushroom Upgrade: Sauté sliced mushrooms before adding to the slow cooker for added umami and texture.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear for Flavor
Start by tossing your bite-sized sirloin steak pieces with kosher salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Getting a hot skillet ready with vegetable oil is key here because searing the steak quickly on medium-high heat before adding it to the slow cooker seals in all those juices and builds a rich, savory crust. Don’t worry—you’re not cooking the steak through, just giving it that golden brown color that makes the final dish so flavorful. Remember to do it in batches so the pieces don’t steam each other.
Step 2: Layer Onions, Garlic, and Stock
Once all the steak pieces are seared, place them in your slow cooker. Scatter the thinly sliced sweet onions and garlic evenly over the top—these aromatics slowly soften and infuse their sweetness and pungency into the beef as it cooks. Pour in the unsalted beef stock, followed by sprinkling the au jus gravy mix evenly over everything. This mix is a secret weapon that amps up the meaty richness without any extra effort.
Step 3: Butter It Up and Set to Cook
Lay thin slices of unsalted butter right on top of the mixture. As it melts during slow cooking, it turns this dish into a velvety garlic butter dream. Cover the slow cooker and set it to high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours, depending on your schedule. If you remember, stir the pot once an hour to distribute flavors evenly and keep the sauce luscious. That’s it—the slow cooker does the rest of the magic!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Searing Matters: Don’t skip the sear—it adds depth and prevents the steak from drying out in the slow cooker.
- Butter Slices: Thin butter slices melt faster and mix evenly throughout, ensuring every bite is buttery goodness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Brown steak pieces in small batches so they get that perfect crust rather than steaming.
- Stir Occasionally: If you can, give the slow cooker a gentle stir once or twice to keep the meat coated in sauce and cooking evenly.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping the finished steak bites with fresh chopped parsley—it adds a pop of color and a little herbal brightness that balances the richness. Sometimes a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving adds a lovely zing that wakes up the flavors even more.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe shines with creamy mashed potatoes to sop up the garlicky au jus. I also enjoy serving it over buttered egg noodles or even a simple bowl of steamed white rice for a soul-warming meal that comforts everyone at the table.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist when guests come over, I’ve served these steak bites atop toasted baguette slices as little steak crostinis. It’s an easy appetizer version that always disappears fast! You could also skewer large bites with garlic butter drizzle for attractive party finger food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I cool leftover Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, they keep beautifully for up to 3 days without losing any flavor or tenderness.
Freezing
Though fresh is always best, this recipe freezes well. Just portion into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently over low heat in a skillet or microwave in short bursts to avoid drying out the steak bites. Adding a splash of beef stock or water helps restore moisture and keeps the sauce silky.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of steak for this recipe?
Absolutely! Sirloin works great because it’s tender and not too fatty, but you can also use ribeye, filet mignon, or even flank steak cut into bite-sized pieces. Just make sure to adjust slow cooking time slightly if your cut is leaner or tougher.
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Do I have to sear the steak before slow cooking?
While you technically could skip searing, I highly recommend it. Searing caramelizes the beef surface, locking in flavor and giving the final dish a richer taste and better texture.
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Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?
Yes! You can adapt this by using the sauté function to brown the steak, then pressure cook for about 25-30 minutes. Just be sure to do a quick release and adjust liquids accordingly to prevent burning.
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What should I serve with these garlic butter steak bites?
Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed rice are my top picks. They soak up the garlicky, buttery sauce and round out the meal perfectly.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe takes good old steak and transforms it into something outrageously delicious with just a few simple steps. It’s become a family favorite and a stress-free way to serve hearty, comforting meat that everyone devours. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised how easy it is to create such a satisfying meal, and you might just find it becoming part of your weekly dinner rotation like it is in mine!
PrintSlow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Tender and flavorful Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites made with seared sirloin steak, sweet onions, garlic, and a rich au jus gravy sauce. Perfectly cooked in a slow cooker for a melt-in-your-mouth experience, served best with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
Ingredients
Steak and Seasoning
- 3 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking and Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (more if needed for searing)
- 1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 cup unsalted beef stock
- 1 ounce packet au jus gravy mix
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Season the steak: Place the sirloin steak pieces in a large bowl. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper, then toss to coat all pieces evenly.
- Sear the steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil. Once very hot, sear the steak pieces in batches, browning them well on all sides but not cooking through. Add more oil if necessary.
- Prepare slow cooker: Transfer all seared steak pieces into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add thinly sliced sweet onion and garlic, gently stirring to combine.
- Add liquids and butter: Pour in beef stock and sprinkle the au jus gravy mix evenly over the steak and onions. Lay thin slices of unsalted butter on top for richness.
- Cook slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Stir gently once every hour if possible to ensure even cooking and sauce distribution.
- Serve: Once tender and cooked through, serve the garlic butter steak bites hot with sides like mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
Notes
- Searing the steak is essential for flavor; don’t skip this step.
- Use a 6-quart slow cooker or similar size to avoid overcrowding the meat.
- Stirring during cooking helps flavor infuse evenly but is optional.
- Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker’s heat settings.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 5.3 oz cooked steak with sauce)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Sodium: 500 milligrams
- Fat: 22 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 4 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 32 grams
- Cholesterol: 95 milligrams