These Slow Cooker Garlic Steak and Potatoes are a cozy, one-pot dinner made with tender steak, baby potatoes, and a buttery garlic herb sauce. Everything cooks together low and slow in the crockpot for a hands-off meal that's perfect for weeknights or Sunday supper.
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Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Steak and Potato Bites
- Hands-off comfort food. Chop, season, and let the slow cooker do the rest. Minimal prep, maximum payoff.
- Steakhouse vibes at home. You get juicy steak bites, buttery potatoes, and plenty of garlicky pan juices for sopping up with bread.
- One pot, easy cleanup. Protein, potatoes, and flavor all cook together in the slow cooker, no need to dirty a bunch of dishes.
- Flexible with the cut. Use chuck, stew meat, or sirloin, depending on what you have or what's on sale.
- Family-friendly. Mild, savory flavors everyone can enjoy. Add red pepper flakes at the end if you like a little heat.
Key Ingredients
- Steak: About 1½-2 pounds of steak, cut into 1-inch cubes. Chuck roast, stew beef, or sirloin all work. Chuck and stew beef get extra tender; sirloin cooks a little faster.
- Baby Potatoes: 1½ pounds baby gold or red potatoes, halved (or quartered if large), give you creamy, tender bites that hold their shape.
- Garlic: Plenty of fresh garlic cloves for big flavor. Fresh works best here, not garlic powder alone.
- Butter + Olive Oil: Melted unsalted butter plus olive oil make a rich garlic sauce that coats the steak and potatoes.
- Beef Broth: A splash of beef broth keeps everything moist and creates those delicious juices at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth, umami, and a little tang that makes the steak taste richer.
- Smoked Paprika & Herbs: Smoked paprika, dried thyme, and rosemary bring warmth and a cozy, slow-cooked flavor.
- Fresh Parsley & Lemon: A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice at the end brighten everything up.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
Before You Cook, Read This
- Choose the right cut - Chuck roast or stew meat will get fall-apart tender with longer cook times. Sirloin stays a bit firmer and can dry out if overcooked, so start checking earlier if you use it.
- Cut into even pieces - Aim for 1-inch cubes for both steak and potatoes. Keeping everything roughly the same size helps it cook evenly.
- Potatoes go on the bottom - Layer the potatoes first, so they sit closest to the heat. The steak sits on top and gently cooks in the garlicky butter and juices.
- Searing is optional but worth it - Browning the steak in a hot skillet for a minute or two per side adds flavor and color, but if you're short on time, you can skip it and still get a great meal.
- Don't overcook the steak - Every slow cooker runs a little differently. If you're using a leaner cut like sirloin, start checking around 3½-4 hours on LOW so the steak stays tender and not stringy.
- Use the right size slow cooker - A 5-6 quart slow cooker works best. If yours is smaller or larger, adjust the recipe or cooking time so the pot is about ½-⅔ full.
- Taste and adjust at the end - Potatoes soak up a lot of salt. Always taste a potato and a piece of steak before serving and adjust with more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon.
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Garlic Steak and Potatoes Recipe
Make these tender, slow cooker garlic steak and potato bites. They're a cozy, one-pot dinner that's loaded with flavor, easy prep, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Equipment
- 1 Slow cooker
Ingredients
- For the Steak & Potatoes:
- 1 ½ - 2 pounds steak, cut into 1-inch cubes (chuck, stew beef, or sirloin)
- 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes, halved (or quartered if large)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ⅓ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- For Serving:
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 5-6 quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little oil.
- Pat the 1 ½-2 pounds steak cubes dry with paper towels and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 6 cloves garlic, remaining salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon rosemary, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Add the 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker. Drizzle with about half of the garlic butter mixture and toss to coat.
- Optional: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak cubes in a single layer for 1-2 minutes per side, working in batches, until browned.
- Arrange the steak on top of the potatoes. Stir the ⅓ cup beef broth and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce into the remaining garlic butter mixture, then pour evenly over the steak and potatoes.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2½-3 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the steak is cooked through and tender.
- Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter, stir gently, and taste. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
Notes
- For the most tender result, use chuck roast or stew beef and cook on LOW.
- If using sirloin, start checking for doneness around the 3½-4 hour mark on LOW so it doesn't overcook.
- Add mushrooms, onions, or carrots along with the potatoes for extra veggies.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated gently with a splash of broth or water.
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Variations & Swaps
- Garlic Herb Steak and Potatoes: Swap the smoked paprika for Italian seasoning and add a little extra rosemary and thyme for a classic herb flavor.
- Cajun Steak and Potatoes: Replace the smoked paprika, thyme, and rosemary with your favorite Cajun seasoning. Taste and adjust the salt since Cajun blends can be salty.
- Add more veggies: Toss in mushroom halves, carrot chunks, or onion wedges along with the potatoes for a fuller one-pot meal.
- Make it extra garlicky: Add 1-2 extra cloves of garlic if you love a strong garlic flavor, or finish with a sprinkle of garlic powder at the end.
- Loaded Steak and Potatoes: When serving, top each bowl with shredded cheese, sour cream, and sliced green onions for a "loaded potato" moment.
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What to Serve with Garlic Steak and Potato Bites
Round this out with something green and something to soak up the juices:
- A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette.
- Roasted or sautéed green beans, broccoli, or asparagus.
- Crusty bread, dinner rolls, or biscuits to mop up the garlicky butter and juices.
- A simple side of steamed mixed veggies if you're keeping it easy on a weeknight.
Storage, Leftovers & Reheating
- Storage: Allow leftovers to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of beef broth or water, or in the microwave in 30-45 second bursts, stirring in between, until warmed through.
- Freezing: The potatoes can change texture a bit once frozen, but it's still doable. Transfer cooled steak and potatoes to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this without searing the steak first?
Yes. Searing adds extra flavor and color, but if you skip it, the recipe will still work. Just season the steak well and go straight to the slow cooker.
What cut of steak is best for the slow cooker?
Chuck roast or stew beef is great because they becomes very tender with longer cook times. Sirloin also works, but it's leaner, so keep an eye on the timing and avoid overcooking.
Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
Yes. Use Yukon gold or red potatoes and cut them into 1-inch chunks. Avoid very starchy russets if you can, as they can break down more in the slow cooker.
Can I double the recipe?
If your slow cooker is large enough (7-8 quarts), you can double the steak and potatoes. Make sure the pot is no more than about ⅔ full and add a bit of extra cooking time as needed.
How do I make it spicier?
Use more crushed red pepper flakes, or add a little cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the garlic butter mixture.
More Cozy One-Pot Dinners
- Crockpot Beef Stew
- Ground Beef Shepherd's Pie
- Easy Lasagna Soup
- Easy Chili Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans
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