There’s something irresistibly comforting about tender steak bites cooked low and slow, bathed in garlic butter and sweet onions. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe with you—its cozy flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture make it a true weeknight winner.

The dish shows a white plate with three main layers: the bottom layer is creamy, white mashed potatoes with a soft and smooth texture; on top of it sits a thick layer of dark brown beef stew chunks covered in rich, glossy brown gravy with visible herbs sprinkled over; next to this is a bright yellow corn on the cob with specks of green herbs and white sauce drizzled over it; the plate is garnished with a few green leafy herbs, and the setting includes a white marbled surface with a floral cloth on the side; a woman's hand is holding the plate from the bottom left corner. 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

This recipe is a go-to in my house when I want something hearty but hands-off. I love how the slow cooker does all the work, and you end up with steak bites that are bursting with flavor and wonderfully tender.

Effortless Cooking: Throw everything in the slow cooker and come back to perfectly cooked steak bites.
Rich Garlic Butter Flavor: The combination of garlic, butter, and sweet onions creates a sauce that’s downright addictive.
Versatile Serving Options: Pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, noodles, or even rice—you choose your comfort base.
Family Friendly: The simple seasoning and tender texture make it a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic in Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe comes from a few well-chosen ingredients working together. Each one plays a role—from tenderizing the meat to infusing deep, savory flavors.

Flat lay of fresh bite-sized cubes of raw sirloin steak, a small mound of coarse kosher salt crystals, a small pile of whole black peppercorns, a small heap of golden garlic powder, a small heap of bright red paprika powder, a few tablespoons of rich golden olive oil in a small white ceramic bowl, a whole large sweet onion thinly sliced into rings, a small white bowl filled with dark low sodium beef broth, six plump peeled whole garlic cloves, several thin slices of creamy unsalted butter stacked neatly, and a small bunch of chopped fresh bright green parsley arranged evenly — 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: I recommend sirloin for leaner bites or chuck roast if you want something with a bit more marbling and richness; both work beautifully when cut into cubes.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the steak’s natural flavor.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat without overpowering the garlic.
Garlic Powder: Reinforces that deep garlic flavor, layering nicely with fresh garlic.
Paprika: Provides a gentle smokiness and color; I stick with sweet paprika to keep it balanced.
Olive Oil: Helps sear the meat initially, locking in juices before slow cooking.
Sweet Onion: When slow-cooked, it softens and sweetens, giving the sauce a wonderful mellow backdrop.
Low Sodium Beef Broth: Adds moistness and depth without too much saltiness.
Au Jus Gravy Mix: A shortcut to wrap everything in rich, savory gravy flavor. It dissolves easily and complements the beef perfectly.
Fresh Garlic Cloves: They infuse the butter sauce with bright, aromatic garlic notes that fresh powder alone can’t match.
Unsalted Butter: The star of the sauce, melting into the broth and garlic to create a luscious, silky coating.
Fresh Parsley: Added at the end for a pop of color and a fresh, herbal balance.

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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 of my favorite things about this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe is how easy it is to tailor. I often swap in different herbs or add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth—feel free to make it yours!

Variation: Sometimes I toss in mushrooms with the onions for an earthy touch—it changes the game entirely without extra fuss.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne if you want a little heat, but keep it mild to let the garlic shine.
Diet Modifications: For a dairy-free version, swap butter with a vegan alternative and use coconut oil for sautéing.
Make it Quick: If short on time, sear the meat well and cook on high for 4 hours instead of low and slow—but the flavor deepens best the longer it simmers.

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

This image shows a white plate with three main layers of food. The bottom layer is creamy mashed potatoes, white in color with a soft and smooth texture. On top of the mashed potatoes is a thick layer of dark brown beef stew pieces covered in a rich sauce that looks shiny and moist, with small bits of green herbs sprinkled over them. On the side, there is a bright yellow corn on the cob, coated with white cheese and orange spices, giving it a textured look. The plate rests on a background with a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Season Your Steak Bites

Start by cutting your sirloin steak or chuck roast into evenly sized bite-sized cubes. This ensures they cook uniformly. Then season with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika—massaging the spices into the meat helps develop the flavor deeply.

Step 2: Sear the Steak Bites

Heat about two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the steak cubes in batches. I like a nice brown crust—it locks in the juices and adds beautiful flavor. Don’t overcrowd the pan to prevent steaming.

Step 3: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Place the thinly sliced sweet onion at the bottom of your slow cooker. Then add the seared steak bites on top. Pour in the beef broth and sprinkle the packet of au jus gravy mix evenly over everything for that rich savory base.

Step 4: Add Garlic and Butter

Press the fresh garlic cloves and scatter them over the meat. Place the sliced unsalted butter on top, distributing it evenly. This trick lets the garlic-infused butter slowly melt and infuse throughout the cooking process.

Step 5: Cook Low and Slow

Set your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for about 7 hours. This slow cooking turns the steak tender and allows all the flavors to meld beautifully—trust me, the wait is worth it!

Step 6: Finish and Garnish

Before serving, stir the steak bites gently to coat them in the now-garlicky buttery sauce. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Top Tip

From cooking this recipe multiple times, I’ve learned that a good sear on your steak bites before slow cooking is a game-changer. It creates layers of flavor and prevents the meat from becoming mushy. Also, be patient with the low-and-slow method — rushing it just won’t give you that perfect tender bite.

Don’t Skip the Sear: Browning the steak cubes adds the essential caramelized flavor and seals in juices.
Use Fresh Garlic: Pressing fresh garlic cloves into the slow cooker infuses a depth that garlic powder alone can’t achieve.
Layer Thoughtfully: Putting the onions beneath the meat lets their sweetness steep into the sauce as everything cooks.
Patience Pays Off: Slow cooking on low for several hours gives the best texture and flavor development — don’t rush!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

garlic butter steak bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always add freshly chopped parsley right before serving—it brightens the whole plate and contrasts the rich garlic butter sauce beautifully. Sometimes a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a nice savory kick, too.

Side Dishes

I like serving these steak bites over creamy mashed potatoes, which soak up all that luscious garlic butter sauce. Alternatively, buttered egg noodles or fluffy steamed rice make excellent bases, so you can scoop up every last bit of flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I’ve served these steak bites over polenta or alongside roasted vegetables, garnished with microgreens for an elegant touch. You can also turn them into hearty sliders for game day, using the garlic butter sauce as a delicious spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I typically store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days and reheat fabulously without drying out, thanks to that buttery sauce.

Freezing

If I want to meal prep, I portion the steak bites and sauce into freezer-safe containers. They freeze well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat—stirring occasionally to recoat the meat in sauce. This method keeps the bites tender and the sauce silky, just like fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?

Absolutely! While sirloin and chuck roast are my go-tos for tenderness and flavor, you can experiment with other stewing cuts like round or brisket. Just be mindful cooking times might vary.

Do I need to sear the steak bites before slow cooking?

Searing isn’t mandatory, but I highly recommend it. It adds beautiful caramelized flavor and seals in juices, which you can’t achieve by slow cooking alone. It’s a simple step that takes your dish from good to great.

How long should I cook the steak bites in the slow cooker?

Cooking low and slow for about 7 hours on the low setting gives the best tender texture and flavor. If you’re short on time, you can cook on high for 4 hours, but the texture might not be as melt-in-your-mouth.

What should I serve with Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites?

These steak bites shine over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or even rice to soak up the garlic butter sauce. Roasted or steamed vegetables complement the richness, balancing the plate perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Sharing this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe feels like passing along a little kitchen treasure. It’s cozy, satisfying, and somehow simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to impress. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it part of your go-to slow cooker lineup!