There’s something incredibly satisfying about tender, garlicky steak bites slow-cooked to perfection. This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe transforms simple ingredients into a melt-in-your-mouth comfort meal that’s a total crowd-pleaser — and honestly, so easy to pull off.

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a serving of dark brown beef stew pieces sitting on a creamy, light beige mashed potato base. To the side, there is a bright yellow corn on the cob covered with white sauce and sprinkled with seasoning. Small green parsley pieces are scattered on the beef and potatoes, with fresh parsley leaves placed beside the corn. The dish is set next to two silver forks and a floral cloth napkin with soft blue and orange patterns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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

I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this recipe because it’s one of those meals that feels fancy but really isn’t. It’s perfect for those busy days when you want to set it and forget it, but still serve something remarkable and full of flavor.

Set It and Forget It: You can toss everything in your slow cooker and go about your day without babysitting the stove.
Unbelievably Tender: Slow cooking makes even tougher cuts like chuck roast feel melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Buttery Garlic Goodness: The garlic butter sauce infused with sweet onions takes simple steak bites to a whole new level.
Versatile Meal: Serve this recipe over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice, making it ideal for different cravings or occasions.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty here is in how these ingredients blend to create a rich, comforting dish. I always suggest getting the freshest garlic you can find because that’s the flavor star, and choosing a good quality cut of beef—sirloin if you want a cleaner bite or chuck roast for extra tenderness and flavor depth.

Flat lay of fresh bite-sized cubes of raw sirloin steak arranged neatly, a small pile of coarse kosher salt crystals, a mound of whole black peppercorns, a small white bowl filled with golden olive oil, thinly sliced rings of a large sweet onion spread evenly, six peeled garlic cloves, several thin slices of creamy unsalted butter stacked carefully, a small bunch of chopped fresh parsley, small white bowls containing bright red paprika powder and a warm brown beef broth, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sirloin Steak or Chuck Roast: Sirloin is lean and quick-cooking, chuck roast offers rich marbling that becomes super tender in the slow cooker.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the beef’s natural flavor.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy kick without overpowering the garlic butter.
Garlic Powder: Boosts the garlic profile alongside the fresh cloves.
Paprika (not hot): Adds a gentle smoky warmth and color without heat.
Olive Oil: Helps sear the steak bites if you want extra flavor, plus it’s heart-healthy.
Sweet Onion: When slow-cooked, it gives a lovely natural sweetness balancing the garlicky sauce.
Low Sodium Beef Broth: Creates a flavorful base for the au jus and keeps everything moist.
Au Jus Gravy Mix: Conveniently packs in classic beefy richness and thickens the sauce slightly.
Garlic (fresh cloves): Pressed garlic releases a potent aroma that infuses the whole dish wonderfully.
Unsalted Butter: Sliced in, it melts slowly to coat the steak bites and onions in a luscious sauce.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbal finish that brightens every bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love is how forgiving this recipe is—you can tweak it to your liking with ease. Personally, I’ll sometimes add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick, but it’s great just as is.

Variation: Once, I swapped out half the butter for ghee, which gave it a nuttier flavor and held up well overnight. Totally worth trying if you want to experiment with richness.
Make It Low Sodium: Simply reduce broth and skip extra salt for a heart-healthier meal.
Add Mushrooms or Bell Peppers: They slow-cook beautifully alongside the steak for extra veggies and texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

On a white plate set on a white marbled surface, there is a serving with three main layers. The bottom layer is mashed potatoes, creamy and white with a soft, slightly chunky texture. On top of the mashed potatoes, there are chunks of dark brown beef covered in a thick, shiny brown gravy, sprinkled with small green herb pieces. Behind this, to one side of the plate, a piece of corn on the cob covered with white cheese and a dusting of red seasoning adds a bright yellow and white contrast. The dish is garnished with small green parsley leaves scattered over the beef and potatoes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Season the Beef

The first thing I do is cut the sirloin or chuck roast into bite-sized cubes, making sure they’re roughly the same size to cook evenly. Toss the cubes with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You want each piece seasoned well so the flavors soak deep during the slow cooking.

Step 2: Sear for Extra Flavor (Optional but Worth It!)

This is an optional step, but I highly recommend it. Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly brown the steak bites in batches. This caramelizes the outside and locks in juices, adding a delicious depth to the final dish.

Step 3: Layer Onions and Broth in the Slow Cooker

Place the thinly sliced sweet onion at the bottom of your slow cooker—it soaks up the juices and slowly caramelizes below the beef. Pour in the beef broth with the au jus gravy mix, stirring gently to blend. Then add the seared steak bites on top.

Step 4: Add Fresh Garlic and Butter

Press the garlic cloves and scatter them over the top, then distribute the sliced unsalted butter evenly. This garlic butter sauce will melt slowly, infusing the beef and onions with maximum flavor — the star of the show.

Step 5: Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on low for about 7 hours (or on high for around 4 hours if you're short on time). The slow cooking breaks down the tough fibers in the meat, resulting in a tender, flavor-packed bite every time.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a lovely pop of color and fresh flavor. Stir gently to coat everything in that beautiful garlic butter sauce.

Top Tip

I’ve learned that the key to nailing this recipe every time lies in *not* rushing the slow cooker. The low and slow method tenderizes the meat beautifully, but if you try to speed it up, you lose that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Searing the Meat First: Taking even 5 extra minutes to brown the steak bites beforehand adds incredible flavor—you’ll thank yourself later.
Don’t Skip Fresh Garlic: I’ve made this without fresh garlic, and it just doesn’t have that same punch. Press it fresh for the best aroma and flavor.
Butter Distribution: Slice the butter thinly so it melts evenly and coats every bite perfectly.
Keep the Lid Closed: Opening the slow cooker releases heat and can extend cooking times, so resist the urge to peek!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

garlic butter steak bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley because it brightens up the plate and adds a fresh herbal note that balances the richness. Sometimes I also add a tiny drizzle of good olive oil for shine right before serving.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes — the buttery garlic sauce is perfect for soaking in. You’ll also enjoy it served over buttered noodles, steamed rice, or even roasted vegetables for a lighter option.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I like to serve these steak bites on a bed of garlic herb polenta, topped with microgreens or edible flowers for an elegant look. Sometimes, I’ll offer crusty bread on the side so everyone can mop up every last bit of that irresistible sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I find that leftover steak bites store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making reheated portions just as delicious—sometimes even better!

Freezing

This recipe freezes well too. After cooling, I portion the steak bites with some sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers. When thawed and reheated gently, they maintain that same tender texture and garlic-butter richness.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm leftovers in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water to keep things moist. Microwaving also works—just cover it to trap steam and keep the meat from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?

Absolutely! Sirloin and chuck roast work best because they become tender in the slow cooker, but you can try brisket or even stew meat — just expect some variations in texture and cooking time.

Do I have to brown the steak bites first?

Nope, it’s optional. Browning adds flavor and texture but you can skip it for convenience. If you do skip it, expect slightly less rich flavor on the surface but still tender, tasty bites.

How do I make this recipe keto-friendly?

This recipe is naturally keto-friendly as it’s mostly meat and fat — just make sure to serve it with low-carb sides like cauliflower mash or sautéed greens instead of potatoes or noodles.

Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes! Slow cookers vary in size, so if yours fits, doubling the ingredients works well. Just keep in mind the cooking times might increase slightly due to the volume.

Final Thoughts

Making this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe always feels like treating yourself without any fuss. It’s the kind of meal I’m proud to pull together for family or friends because it tastes like I’ve spent hours, but it practically cooks itself. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy those tender, buttery bites just as much as I do every time!