Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot
These steak bites with garlic butter crockpot style are tender cubes of sirloin coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. A quick sear first adds flavor, and the slow cooker keeps the meat soft and juicy.
4
servings15
minutes4
hoursSeared sirloin cubes cook briefly in garlic, butter and herbs with a splash of broth. The meat stays tender and the sauce is silky.
Ingredients
2 lb top sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp butter, divided
8 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
Directions
- Pat the steak cubes dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over high heat. Sear the steak in two batches for about 1 minute per side.
- Transfer the browned steak to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the garlic, broth, Worcestershire, thyme, dried parsley and paprika.
- Cut 3 tablespoons butter into pieces and scatter it over the steak.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The steak should be tender. Check early if you want it medium, around 145°F.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the juices and cook on HIGH for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the fresh parsley.
- Serve over rice, noodles or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Sirloin cooks quickly, so do not go longer than 4 hours on LOW or it gets chewy. Chuck needs 6 hours. Mushrooms and baby potatoes make good add-ins. Leftovers keep 3 days and reheat gently. Store the sauce with the meat so it stays moist.
Why garlic butter steak bites suit a slow cooker
Garlic butter steak bites are a skillet classic, but they need constant attention. In a slow cooker, the small sirloin cubes cook gently in broth, garlic and butter and stay tender, and the sauce builds on its own. You only stand at the stove for a quick sear.
The short cook is what matters here. At 3 to 4 hours on LOW, the sirloin turns tender without drying out. Longer would turn the small pieces stringy, so this is a recipe for a lazy afternoon, not an all-day pot. Because the cubes are small, they cook much faster than a roast, which makes this one of the quickest meals you can make in the slow cooker.
Ingredient notes
Top sirloin: Two pounds, cut into 1-inch cubes. Choose a steak with a bit of marbling, and cut even pieces so they finish together.
Butter: Six tablespoons in total, divided. Some goes in the skillet, some in the cooker, and the rest is stirred in at the end for a glossy sauce.
Garlic: Eight cloves is not a typo. Mince them fresh, since the long cook mellows the flavor into something sweet and hearty.
Beef broth: Half a cup is enough. The steak and butter add their own juices.
Worcestershire sauce: One tablespoon gives deep hearty flavor that rounds out the garlic and butter.
Thyme, parsley and paprika: These dried herbs season the sauce, and fresh parsley at the end adds color.
Tips for the best result
Sear in two batches: Crowding the pan steams the meat. One minute a side over high heat is enough since the cooker finishes the job.
Thicken at the end: Stir in a cornstarch slurry and cook on HIGH for 10 minutes. The butter and juices turn into a sauce that coats each bite.
The most common mistake is overcooking: Check the bites at 3 hours on LOW. For medium, they should be around 145°F. Past 4 hours, the cubes go dry. Finish with the last butter and parsley right before serving. Cut the cubes the same size, and if you have a few extra-large pieces, halve them so the whole batch is tender at the same time.
Swaps and variations
Use ribeye or tri-tip for a richer bite, or add sliced mushrooms and baby potatoes to make it a full meal. Swap the paprika for a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the sauce. Serve over rice, noodles or mashed potatoes.
Stew meat does not work. It is meant for long braising, and the short cook leaves it tough and chewy. A splash of cream stirred into the finished sauce makes it richer, and a pinch of smoked paprika adds a hint of smoke.
What to serve with it
Serve over buttery rice, egg noodles or mashed potatoes, so the garlic butter does not go to waste. Add steamed broccoli or green beans for color. Put crusty bread on the table for the sauce. A bowl of roasted potatoes or a simple Caesar salad also goes well, and a glass of red wine suits a special dinner. Finish with the last butter off the heat. It melts into the juices and makes the sauce glossy, and the parsley stays green when it goes in at the very end.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers with the sauce for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth. High heat makes the steak tough.
Freezing works for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and warm slowly. The butter sauce may separate, but a quick stir brings it back. Spoon the sauce over the meat before storing so it stays moist, and keep a splash of broth handy when you reheat.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot at a glance
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 4 hours
- Servings: 4 servings
- Ingredients: 13, led by top sirloin, salt, black pepper, olive oil
Tips for Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot
Sirloin cooks quickly, so do not go longer than 4 hours on LOW or it gets chewy. Chuck needs 6 hours. Mushrooms and baby potatoes make good add-ins. Leftovers keep 3 days and reheat gently. Store the sauce with the meat so it stays moist.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot FAQ
How long does Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot take?
Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot takes 4 hours of cooking after 15 minutes of prep.
How many people does Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot serve?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What do I need to make Garlic Butter Steak Bites in the Crockpot?
13 ingredients, led by top sirloin, salt, black pepper, olive oil. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
