Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes Recipe
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender beef chuck roast cooked low and slow with garlic butter, herbs, and baby potatoes. Perfect for an easy family dinner or potluck, this recipe offers a rich, savory sauce and soft vegetables achieved effortlessly in a slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (LOW) or 4-5 hours (HIGH)
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (LOW) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Prepare and Season Beef: Pat the beef chunks dry using paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the Beef (Optional): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef chunks for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a rich brown crust. This step adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for convenience. Work in batches if necessary.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the halved baby potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the seared (or raw) beef chunks on top. Scatter sliced onions and chopped carrots if using, to infuse additional sweetness and texture.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, melt the butter. Stir in minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped fresh parsley to create a fragrant herb butter sauce.
- Add Liquids: Pour the beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Drizzle the prepared garlic butter sauce over the entire mixture. Gently toss the ingredients to evenly distribute flavors.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are soft but still hold their shape.
- Adjust Sauce: Taste the cooking liquid and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thin, leave the slow cooker uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken or mash a couple of potatoes into the broth for body.
- Serve: Transfer the beef and potatoes to a serving platter. Spoon extra sauce over the top, garnish with additional fresh parsley, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Searing the beef before slow cooking enhances the flavor but is optional for quicker prep.
- For firmer potatoes, add them halfway through the cooking time instead of at the start.
- Prepare all ingredients the night before for an easy morning assembly.
- Use plant-based butter and gluten-free beef broth to modify the recipe for dairy-free and gluten-free diets.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator and often taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
Keywords: slow cooker beef, garlic butter beef, beef and potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner, crockpot recipe, family meal, potluck, gluten-free, one-pot meal
