This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef recipe creates incredibly tender and flavorful beef, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. The slow cooking process allows the beef to become incredibly tender, infused with rich garlic butter flavor that will have you coming back for seconds. It’s a simple, yet satisfying dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Imagine tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef bathed in a savory garlic butter sauce, ready to be served over your favorite sides.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, and umami with a prominent garlic butter flavor.
- Texture: Extremely tender, juicy beef in a luscious sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on High, or 6-8 hours on Low (in the slow cooker).
- Difficulty: Easy. This recipe is very straightforward.
What You’ll Need
You only need a few basic ingredients to make this incredibly delicious slow cooker beef. The recipe focuses on sirloin steak, seasoned with salt and pepper, aromatics like onions and garlic, beef stock for moisture and flavor, au jus gravy mix for richness, and butter for that perfect finish. You’ll also need a skillet for searing the beef before slow cooking.
Ingredient Notes
- Sirloin Steak – Cut into bite-sized pieces for optimal tenderness and even cooking. Sirloin offers a great balance of flavor and tenderness.
- Kosher Salt – Essential for seasoning the beef and enhancing its natural flavors. Kosher salt has a coarser grain, which is great for adhering to the meat.
- Black Pepper – Adds a subtle touch of heat and depth. Freshly ground black pepper is best for a more intense flavor.
- Vegetable Oil – Used for searing the beef, creating a flavorful crust. Canola oil or avocado oil can also be used.
- Sweet Onion – Sliced thinly to caramelize in the slow cooker and impart a sweet, savory flavor. Yellow onion is a good substitute.
- Garlic – Thinly sliced to infuse its pungent flavor throughout the dish. Fresh garlic is key for the best flavor.
- Unsalted Beef Stock – Adds moisture and depth of flavor as the beef cooks. Low-sodium beef stock can also be used.
- Au Jus Gravy Mix – Contributes a rich, savory flavor that complements the beef. Other gravy mixes can be used as needed.
- Unsalted Butter – Thinly sliced and placed on top for a decadent finish and to enrich the sauce. The butter melts into the sauce.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef
This recipe is easy to make and the hands-on time is minimal. The slow cooker will do most of the work for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Prepare the Beef: Cut 3 pounds of sirloin steak into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Season generously with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper, tossing to coat evenly.
- Sear the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Working in batches, sear the steak pieces until browned on the outside. Add more oil as needed between batches. The goal is caramelization and color, not fully cooking the meat through.
- Combine in the Slow Cooker: Transfer all seared steak to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 small, thinly sliced sweet onion and 3 thinly sliced cloves of garlic. Gently stir to distribute the aromatics.
- Add Liquids and Flavor: Pour in 1 cup of unsalted beef stock, sprinkle the contents of a 1-ounce packet of au jus gravy mix evenly over the top, and finish by laying 4 tablespoons of thinly sliced unsalted butter over everything.
- Cook: Cover and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours. If possible, give it a gentle stir about once an hour to help the flavors meld.
- Serve: Once the beef is tender, serve it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the beef. Working in batches ensures a good sear and prevents the beef from steaming.
Recipe Tips
- For extra flavor, consider browning the beef in batches.
- If you like, adjust the garlic amount based on your preference.
- Don’t overcook the beef; it should be tender and easily shredded with a fork at the end of the cooking time on the slow cooker.
- Check the beef for doneness by giving it a stir periodically.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove some of the liquid toward the end of the cooking process, simmer it in a saucepan on the stovetop until reduced, and then add it back to the slow cooker.
FAQs
- Can I use a different cut of beef? Yes, you can substitute other cuts like chuck roast, or round steak, but adjust the cooking time as necessary based on the cut.
- Can I make this dish spicier? Yes, you can add red pepper flakes, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- How do I know when the beef is done? The beef is done when it’s easily shredded with a fork, and tender to the bite.
- Can I freeze the leftovers? Yes, allow the beef to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing for this dish, soaking up the delicious sauce.
- Egg Noodles: Enjoy over egg noodles to get every drop of the garlic butter sauce.
- Rice: Serve over cooked rice to soak up the juices.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and asparagus make a colorful and healthy side dish.
- Green Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the rich beef.
- Crusty Bread: Offer crusty bread for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the beef and onions a day in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. The searing step can also be done ahead of time. Simply sear the beef, and slice the onions and garlic, and store them in separate containers. Then, when ready to cook, add everything to the slow cooker and proceed with the remaining steps. You can also make a large batch of the beef and freeze it. This is a very freezer-friendly recipe.
Print
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef
- Total Time: 260
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef infused with rich garlic butter and savory au jus gravy, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles for a hearty dish.
Ingredients
2 lbs sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 cup minced fresh garlic
1 cup unsalted beef stock
1/2 cup au jus gravy mix
4 tbsp unsalted butter, thinly sliced
Instructions
Pat beef dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, sear beef until browned (2-3 minutes per side). Set aside.
In a slow cooker, layer onions and garlic, then add seared beef, beef stock, and au jus mix.
Top with remaining 1 tbsp oil and sliced butter.
Cover and cook on High (3-4 hours) or Low (6-8 hours).
Stir sauce before serving.
Notes
Sweet onions caramelize better than yellow onions.
Adjust seasoning if using lower-sodium stock.
Add butter to the sauce post-cooking for a velvety texture.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 240
- Category: dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
