Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for busy days. Tender beef chuck roast simmers slowly in a buttery garlic sauce alongside baby potatoes, creating a hearty and satisfying meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing, optional)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or a mix of thyme, oregano, basil)
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 2 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 1 medium onion, sliced (optional)
• 1 cup carrots, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat beef chunks dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef chunks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Work in batches if needed.
3. Step 3: Place halved baby potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add seared beef chunks on top. Scatter sliced onion and chopped carrots in if using.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, melt butter. Stir in minced garlic, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped parsley.
5. Step 5: Pour beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Drizzle garlic butter sauce over everything and gently toss to distribute.
6. Step 6: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy.
7. Step 7: Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thin, let it sit uncovered for 15 minutes or mash a couple of potatoes into the broth for thickness.
8. Step 8: Transfer beef and potatoes to a serving platter. Spoon extra sauce over, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Searing the beef before slow cooking adds extra flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
• For firmer potatoes, add them halfway through cooking instead of at the beginning.
• Prep all ingredients the night before for an easy slow cooker start in the morning.
• For dairy-free or gluten-free versions, use plant-based butter and gluten-free beef broth.

Storage

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. The flavors deepen after a day, making it great for next-day meals.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I skip searing the beef?

Yes, searing is optional but recommended for added flavor and a better crust. If short on time, you can place the beef directly in the slow cooker without searing.

How do I prevent the potatoes from becoming mushy?

Use baby Yukon Gold potatoes and avoid overcooking by checking doneness early. For firmer texture, add the potatoes halfway through the cooking time rather than at the start.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 137 reviews

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is a comforting, hearty meal perfect for any day of the week. Tender beef chuck roast simmers slowly with baby Yukon Gold potatoes, infused with a rich garlic butter sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and fresh parsley. The dish is easy to prepare with minimal hands-on time, delivering robust flavors and melt-in-your-mouth textures that make for a satisfying family dinner.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (low) or 4.5 hours (high)
• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 45 minutes (high)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Vegetables

• 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
• 1 medium onion, sliced (optional)
• 1 cup carrots, chopped (optional)

Garlic Butter Sauce

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or a mix of thyme, oregano, basil)
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing, optional)

Instructions

1. Season the Beef: Pat the beef chunks dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture, then season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
2. Optional Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned to develop a richer flavor. Work in batches if necessary, then transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
3. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the halved baby Yukon Gold potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the seared beef chunks on top, then scatter sliced onions and chopped carrots if using, creating layers of flavor.
4. Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped parsley to form a fragrant sauce.
5. Combine Ingredients: Pour the low-sodium beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Drizzle the garlic butter sauce on top and gently toss everything together inside the slow cooker to distribute flavors evenly.
6. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily pulls apart, and the potatoes are soft but remain intact.
7. Adjust Flavor and Sauce Consistency: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. If the sauce is thinner than preferred, allow it to sit uncovered for 15 minutes or mash a few potatoes into the broth to thicken it slightly.
8. Serve: Transfer the beef and potatoes to a serving platter. Spoon extra sauce over the top, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm for a comforting meal.

Notes

• Searing the beef before slow cooking adds extra depth of flavor but can be skipped for convenience to save time.
• For firmer potatoes, add them halfway through the cooking time instead of at the beginning.
• Prep all ingredients the night before to save time on busy mornings or days.
• Use plant-based butter and gluten-free broth to make this recipe dairy-free and gluten-free suitable.
• Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator and taste even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.

Keywords: slow cooker beef, garlic butter beef, slow cooked potatoes, beef chuck roast recipe, easy slow cooker meal, comfort food, garlic herb beef