There’s nothing better than walking into your kitchen after a long day and being greeted by the rich, savory aroma of garlic butter steak bites that have been tenderizing in your crockpot all afternoon. These crockpot steak bites are my go-to recipe for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings – just toss in a few simple ingredients before work and come home to fork-tender beef that melts in your mouth. Last winter, I made three batches for our neighborhood potluck, and let me tell you, those garlicky little morsels disappeared faster than I could refill the serving dish! The best part? With just five ingredients and minimal prep, this keto-friendly dish practically cooks itself while you go about your day.
- Why You'll Love These Crockpot Steak Bites
- Ingredients for Crockpot Steak Bites
- How to Make Crockpot Steak Bites
- Tips for Perfect Crockpot Steak Bites
- Serving Suggestions for Crockpot Steak Bites
- Storage and Reheating
- Nutritional Information for Crockpot Steak Bites
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Share Your Crockpot Steak Bites
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot Steak Bites
Let me count the ways these garlic butter steak bites will rock your world:
* Butter-knife tender: That low-and-slow cooking transforms even budget-friendly sirloin into juicy little morsels that practically dissolve on your tongue.
* Five ingredients: Just steak, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper – no fancy pantry raids required.
* Set it & forget it: Throw everything in before work and come home to a dinner that smells like a steakhouse.
* Keto magic: Zero carbs and all that glorious fat makes this perfect for low-carb lifestyles.
* Party MVP: Serve them straight from the crockpot with toothpicks – I’ve never brought leftovers home from a potluck!
Ingredients for Crockpot Steak Bites
Gather these simple staples – I bet you already have most in your kitchen! The magic happens when just a few quality ingredients come together:
- 1.5 lbs beef sirloin – Cut into 1-inch cubes (that perfect pop-in-your-mouth size)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter – Trust me, the good stuff makes all the difference
- 4 cloves garlic – Minced up nice and fine (I always sneak in an extra clove or two)
- 1 tsp kosher salt – That crunchier texture Seasons evenly
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper – None of that pre-ground dust!
Now for the fun part – my favorite optional add-ins when I’m feeling fancy:
- Sliced mushrooms – They soak up all that garlic butter like little sponges
- Thinly sliced onions – Caramelized to sweet perfection during the long cook
- A sprig of fresh thyme – For that “chef’s kiss” herbal note
See? Even with extras, everything still fits on one grocery list. No complicated ingredients here!
How to Make Crockpot Steak Bites
Picture this: tender beef cubes swimming in golden garlic butter, simmering away while you tackle your day. Here’s how we make magic happen with practically zero effort:
- Cube that beef – Get your sirloin ready for its butter bath
- Toast that garlic – Transform plain butter into liquid gold
- Bring it together – Let the crockpot work its low-and-slow alchemy
- Season simply – Just salt and pepper work wonders
- Walk away – 6-8 hours later? Pure beefy bliss
That irresistible smell hitting you at dinnertime? That’s your cue that these garlic butter steak bites are ready to disappear from the pot faster than you can say “seconds please!”
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Grab your sharpest knife – we want 1-inch cubes that’ll cook evenly. I leave just a bit of fat for flavor but trim off any big, chewy pieces. Uniform size means no overcooked bits hiding in the pot!
Step 2: Infuse the Garlic Butter
Here’s where the flavor fireworks start! Melt your butter in a skillet over medium heat until it’s foamy, then toss in the minced garlic. Stir just until it smells amazing – about 30 seconds. We want fragrant, not burnt! That quick toast makes all the difference.
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Steak Bites
After making these garlic butter steak bites more times than I can count, here are my hard-earned secrets for crockpot perfection:
- Thermometer trust: While fork-tender is usually ready after 6 hours, I always check with an instant-read thermometer – 145°F means perfect medium doneness without drying out.
- Give them space: Don’t pile the beef cubes too deep – spread them in a nice single layer if your crockpot’s small. Overcrowding = steamed instead of braised.
- Deglaze like a pro: After sautéing the garlic, pour a splash of beef broth into that buttery skillet and scrape up all the browned bits before adding to the crockpot. Flavor bomb!
- Butter check: If your sauce looks separated after cooking, just whisk in another tablespoon of cold butter at the end – transforms it into a glossy glaze.
- Low and slow: Resist cooking on high! The magic happens when those beef cubes have time to relax in the butter bath.
Serving Suggestions for Crockpot Steak Bites
Oh honey, these garlic butter steak bites are like the ultimate social butterflies of the food world – they play nice with practically anything! Here’s how our family loves to serve them:
* Keto dream: Piled high on creamy mashed cauliflower with extra garlic butter drizzled over top – my low-carb husband goes wild for this combo!
* Bread lover’s delight: Grab a crusty baguette to sop up every last drop of that glorious garlicky sauce. I’ve caught my kids “cleaning” the crockpot with bread when they think I’m not looking.
* Party perfect: Thread them onto skewers with cherry tomatoes for easy grabbing at gatherings. I always make double batches because these disappear faster than you can say “appetizer!”
* Light & fresh: Toss them over peppery arugula with shaved parmesan for a steak salad that feels fancy but takes zero effort.
Honestly? Sometimes I just grab a fork and stand by the crockpot eating them straight – no judgment here!
Storage and Reheating
Let me tell you – these crockpot steak bites might not last long, but if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (trust me, it’s rare in my house!), here’s how to keep them tasting amazing:
Pop them in an airtight container with all that glorious garlic butter sauce and they’ll keep happily in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating, go low and slow – either gently on the stovetop or at 50% power in the microwave. Oh! And if your butter sauce separates (it happens to the best of us), just whisk in a splash of hot water or broth to bring it back together beautifully.
Nutritional Information for Crockpot Steak Bites
Just a quick note – these garlic butter steak bites are naturally low-carb and packed with protein, but remember that nutritional values are always estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Now go enjoy that buttery, beefy goodness guilt-free!
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked these questions all the time when I bring my crockpot steak bites to gatherings – here’s everything I’ve learned from my trial-and-error adventures:
Can I use frozen beef?
Nope – frozen cubes will throw off your cooking time and give you uneven results. Thaw overnight in the fridge first. Those few minutes of planning make all the difference between tough icy chunks and melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Can I cook on high?
Absolutely! I’ll do 3-4 hours on high when I’m in a pinch, but low-and-slow is still my preferred magic. The high heat gets you there faster, but those extra hours on low make the beef impossibly tender. Pro tip: If cooking fast, cut your cubes slightly smaller for even cooking.
Best cuts besides sirloin?
Oh honey, ribeye makes these steak bites luxury-level amazing (hello, marbling!), but tenderloin works brilliantly too if you’re feeling fancy. Budget tip? Chuck roast works surprisingly well – just give it the full 8 hours to break down properly. My butcher swears by flat iron steak too!
Share Your Crockpot Steak Bites
I’d love to see how your garlic butter steak bites turn out! Snap a pic and share your masterpiece on Pinterest – you can find more of my favorite easy crockpot recipes there. Be sure to tag me so I can admire your handiwork!
PrintCrockpot Steak Bites
Fork-tender steak cubes simmered all day in garlic butter or gravy. Perfect for keto diets and party-friendly serving.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 6-8 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef sirloin, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Place beef cubes in the crockpot.
- Melt butter in a pan and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Pour garlic butter over the beef.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use tender cuts like sirloin for best results.
- Add mushrooms or onions for extra flavor.
- Find more recipes on our Pinterest account.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 110mg