Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely! Sirloin is great for tenderness and budget-friendliness, but ribeye makes this luxuriously rich. Chuck roast or stew meat work, but they’ll need the full low-and-slow cook time to get tender.

Do I really have to brown the steak first?

You’ll get so much more flavor by searing first—the caramelization creates a deeper, beefier taste. If you’re short on time, you can skip it, but if you can spare 10 extra minutes, your taste buds will thank you.

What if I don’t have au jus gravy mix?

No worries—use a tablespoon of beef bouillon granules or a concentrated beef stock paste. You can also mix a spoonful of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.

Can I make this without a slow cooker?

Yes! Brown the steak as directed, then simmer everything in a Dutch oven on your stovetop, covered, over very low heat for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Description

These slow cooker garlic butter steak bites are incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with rich garlic butter flavor. Perfect for a hands-off main course that’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious with minimal prep. Browned sirloin steak pieces are slow-cooked with sliced onions, garlic, beef stock, and au jus gravy mix, then finished with butter for a savory, satisfying meal. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Steak Bites

3 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (plus more as needed)

For the Flavor Base

1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

For the Sauce

1 cup unsalted beef stock
1 ounce packet au jus gravy mix
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced

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Instructions

Season the Steak: Place the bite-sized sirloin steak pieces into a large bowl. Add the kosher salt and black pepper, then toss well to evenly coat all the pieces with seasoning.
Sear the Steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and let it get very hot. Working in batches, sear the steak pieces, just until browned on the outside. Do not cook them through. Add more oil if needed between batches.
Layer in the Slow Cooker: Once all steak pieces are seared, transfer them to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the thinly sliced onion and garlic, and gently stir to combine all the ingredients.
Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour the unsalted beef stock evenly over the meat mixture. Sprinkle the au jus gravy mix over the top, then lay the slices of unsalted butter evenly across everything.
Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 6–8 hours. Stir once per hour if possible to keep everything coated and juicy.
Serve: Once the steak bites are tender and flavorful, serve hot with your choice of mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

Browning the steak in batches is important for flavor and prevents overcrowding the pan.
Use unsalted beef stock and butter to better control the salt content.
Stirring during cooking helps distribute the butter and seasonings.
This dish reheats well and is great for meal prep.
Add a pinch of fresh herbs before serving for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: about 6 oz (based on 8 servings)
Calories: 340
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 830mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 31g
Cholesterol: 105mg