A simple, slow-cooked way to make tender, tasty steak with garlic butter. This dish is easy to make and full of flavor.
INTRODUCTION
Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites give you rich garlic flavor with very little work. You brown the steak, add a garlic butter mix, and let the slow cooker do the rest. The meat becomes soft and juicy. If you enjoy easy slow cooker meals with big garlic taste, try my best crockpot garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe for another simple weeknight dinner idea.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love this recipe because it is simple, fast to prep, and full of flavor. The garlic butter makes the meat rich and savory. The crockpot cooks the steak until it is very tender. You do not need many steps or fancy tools. This recipe also fits many diets: you can serve it with rice, potatoes, or vegetables. If you like recipes that taste like a restaurant but cook in your home slow cooker, this one is for you. For a handheld twist, you might also like the easy idea in this garlic butter cheeseburger rollups post.
HOW TO MAKE Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
This recipe uses a quick sear and then slow cooking. First, you sear the steak bites in butter to get a nice brown crust. Then you make a garlic herb butter in the same pan. Finally, you pour that mix over the meat and cook in the crockpot on low or high. The slow heat pulls the meat fibers apart and makes the steak very tender. You do not need to add water; the butter and steak juices create the sauce. If you want a side with a similar garlic butter theme, try this garlic butter creamed corn chicken for a hearty pairing.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Crockpot or slow cooker, 4-6 quart size
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Measuring spoons and cup
- Small spatula or wooden spoon
- Serving bowl or platter
Ingredients You’ll Need :
1.5 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1/4 cup (half) of the butter.
Add the steak bites in batches, searing for 2–3 minutes per batch until browned on all sides. Avoid overcrowding the pan so they sear instead of steam.
Transfer the seared steak bites and any juices to the crockpot.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1/4 cup butter, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring, just until the garlic is fragrant and the herbs bloom in the butter. Do not let the garlic burn.
Pour the garlic butter mixture over the steak bites in the crockpot, stirring gently to coat.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the steak is very tender.
Once cooked, stir the steak bites to coat them fully in the garlic butter sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
HOW TO SERVE Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Serve the steak bites hot from the crockpot. Spoon them with the garlic butter sauce over the top. They pair well with plain rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a green salad. For a low-carb meal, serve them on a bed of steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice. You can also put the steak bites into warmed rolls for a sandwich or slider style serving. For a lighter side, try a fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette to cut the richness.
STORAGE & FREEZING : Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Let them cool to room temperature before sealing. To reheat, warm them in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until hot. If you want to freeze, place cooled steak bites in a freezer-safe container or heavy freezer bag. Press out extra air and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. When reheating from frozen, warm slowly to keep the meat tender and avoid drying it out.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Serve over steamed white or brown rice for a simple meal.
- Spoon over mashed potatoes to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
- Add roasted or steamed vegetables like green beans, carrots, or asparagus.
- Put steak bites into toasted rolls for sliders.
- Make a bowl with rice, steak bites, and a side salad for a balanced plate.
- For dessert or snack after this savory meal, a light option like a banana energy bite fits well; try this no-bake peanut butter banana energy bites idea.
VARIATIONS
- Add mushrooms: Slice mushrooms and sauté them with the garlic butter before adding to the crockpot.
- Make it spicy: Mix in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the butter.
- Use different herbs: Swap rosemary and thyme for oregano or Italian herb blend.
- Swap the steak: Use chuck roast cut into small pieces for a more shredded style.
- Add red wine: Stir in 1/4 cup dry red wine to the butter mix when you cook the garlic for a deeper sauce.
- Seafood twist: If you love garlic herb butter with seafood, try pairing this menu with a shrimp main using a similar butter style like the sizzling grilled shrimp garlic herb butter idea for a surf-and-turf dinner.
FAQs
Q: Can I skip searing the steak bites?
A: You can skip searing, but searing gives a better flavor and color. If you skip it, cook time stays the same, but the meat will not have the browned crust.
Q: Will this work with frozen steak bites?
A: Do not put frozen meat straight into the crockpot. Thaw in the fridge first. Cooking frozen meat in a slow cooker can keep it in the danger zone for bacteria too long.
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: Yes, but reduce added salt. Taste at the end and add salt only if needed.
Q: How do I know when the steak bites are done?
A: The meat should be very tender and easy to pull apart. Use a fork to test. Cook longer on low if you want the meat more tender.
Q: Can I make this for a crowd?
A: Yes. Double the recipe and use a larger crockpot, or cook in two batches.
Q: Is this recipe keto friendly?
A: Yes, the steak and butter are low carb. Serve with low-carb sides like cauliflower rice or a green salad.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Prep the steak bites and store them in the fridge in a covered container up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Mix the garlic, herbs, and butter in a small container and keep it in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Sear the steak ahead of time, cool, and store in the fridge. When ready to cook, place seared steak in the crockpot and pour the warmed garlic butter over it. Heat on low for 2–3 hours to finish.
- If you will travel to a potluck, cook the steak in the crockpot, then keep it on the warm setting for transport. Store the sauce and garnish separately to keep the top fresh.
Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
A simple, slow-cooked way to make tender, tasty steak with garlic butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 270 minutes
- Total Time: 285 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1/4 cup (half) of the butter.
- Add the steak bites in batches, searing for 2–3 minutes per batch until browned on all sides. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Transfer the seared steak bites and any juices to the crockpot.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1/4 cup butter, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring until the garlic is fragrant and the herbs bloom in the butter. Do not let the garlic burn.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture over the steak bites in the crockpot, stirring gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the steak is very tender.
- Once cooked, stir the steak bites to coat them fully in the garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
This recipe fits many diets; you can serve it with rice, potatoes, or vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: crockpot, steak, garlic butter, easy dinner, slow cooker
