Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes Recipe
Introduction
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is a comforting and hearty meal perfect for busy days. Tender beef chunks are cooked low and slow with buttery garlic, herbs, and baby potatoes, creating rich flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing, optional)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or a mix of thyme, oregano, basil)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 2 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 medium onion, sliced (optional)
- 1 cup carrots, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Step 2: Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef chunks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned, working in batches if needed.
- Step 3: Place halved baby potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add seared beef chunks on top. Scatter sliced onion and chopped carrots in if using.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, melt the butter. Stir in minced garlic, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped parsley.
- Step 5: Pour beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Drizzle the garlic butter sauce over everything and gently toss to distribute.
- Step 6: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy.
- Step 7: Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thin, let it sit uncovered for 15 minutes or mash a couple of potatoes into the broth to thicken.
- Step 8: Transfer beef and potatoes to a serving platter. Spoon extra sauce over, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For deeper flavor, don’t skip the searing step—it helps develop rich browning on the beef.
- Feel free to swap Yukon Gold potatoes for red potatoes or fingerlings depending on availability.
- Add root vegetables like parsnips or turnips alongside the carrots for extra variety.
- Use fresh herbs if you have them on hand in place of dried for a brighter taste.
- If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, reduce the garlic cloves to 3 or roast them first.
Storage
Store leftover beef and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered skillet or microwave to avoid drying out the meat. You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes, other slow-cooking cuts like brisket or short ribs work well, but adjust the cooking time as needed for tenderness.
Is it necessary to add the vegetables?
The onion and carrots are optional but add sweetness and texture to the dish. You can omit them or substitute with your favorite vegetables.
Print
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes (LOW) or 4 hours 20 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with Potatoes is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for anytime you want a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth beef roast paired with tender baby Yukon Gold potatoes. The beef is slowly cooked to fork-tender perfection with garlic-infused butter, Italian herbs, and fresh parsley, creating a rich and savory sauce that envelops the potatoes and vegetables. Easy to prepare and requiring minimal hands-on cooking, this recipe is ideal for busy days or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Beef and Potatoes
- 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing, optional)
- 2 lbs baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 medium onion, sliced (optional)
- 1 cup carrots, chopped (optional)
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or a mix of thyme, oregano, basil)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Beef. Pat beef chunks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps with browning. Generously season all sides of the beef chunks with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor during cooking.
- Sear the Beef (Optional). Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until a brown crust forms. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Arrange Ingredients in Slow Cooker. Place the halved baby Yukon Gold potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker to ensure even cooking. Layer the seared beef chunks on top of the potatoes. If using, scatter sliced onion and chopped carrots around and on top of the beef for additional flavor and nutrition.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce. In a small bowl, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped fresh parsley until well combined.
- Add Broth and Sauce. Pour the low-sodium beef broth evenly over the beef and potatoes. Then drizzle the garlic butter mixture evenly over the entire contents in the slow cooker. Gently toss everything to ensure the sauce coats the beef, potatoes, and vegetables.
- Cook Low and Slow. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW setting for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The beef should become fork-tender and the potatoes soft but not breaking apart.
- Adjust Seasoning and Thicken Sauce. Once cooked, taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thin, leave the slow cooker uncovered for 15 minutes to reduce or gently mash a couple of potatoes in the broth to thicken it naturally.
- Serve. Transfer the beef and potatoes to a serving platter. Spoon remaining sauce over the top, garnish with additional fresh parsley, and serve warm for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Searing the beef is optional but adds depth of flavor through caramelization.
- You can add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels.
- Keep the potatoes halved or quartered so they cook evenly without turning mushy.
- If you prefer spicier, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours on LOW or 4 to 5 hours on HIGH
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker beef, garlic butter beef, beef chuck roast, slow cooker potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner recipe, one pot meal, slow cooked beef

