I remember the first time my family asked me for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef. It was a busy weeknight, and I wanted something simple but delicious to pull together. When the house filled with the rich aroma of garlic butter sauce slowly melding with tender beef, it wasn’t long before everyone was gathered around the table, smiling and ready to enjoy. That moment stuck with me because this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef recipe didn’t just satisfy hunger—it drew my family closer.
This recipe quickly became a staple in our meal rotation, perfect for when time is tight but the meal needs to feel special. Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef brings a cozy, home-cooked warmth to any dinner table. The slow cooked beef shreds easily and the garlic butter sauce is so flavorful, it gets everyone asking for seconds.
If you’re looking for slow cooker beef recipes that both modest cooks and kitchen pros can feel confident about, this one is a winner. It’s straightforward to prepare and offers that melt-in-your-mouth beef experience without standing over the stove for hours.
Try making this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef for your next family meal. I bet it will become one of your easy beef dinner favorites before long! You’re going to love how it makes mealtime both satisfying and effortless.
For more inspiring recipe ideas, check out my take on garlic butter beef bites served with creamy mashed potatoes, a perfect sidekick for your family dinners.
What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef come together without fuss:
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth (preferably low sodium)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
For the best Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef, I recommend choosing a chuck roast with good marbling. This fattiness breaks down during slow cooking and keeps the beef juicy and tender. You’ll find everything for this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef at your regular grocery store—just ask your butcher if you want help picking the right cut.
If you need to swap anything, this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef recipe is forgiving. Unsalted butter can be replaced with salted if that’s what you have. Fresh garlic can be swapped out for garlic powder in a pinch—about 1½ teaspoons for 8 cloves. If fresh parsley isn’t available, dried parsley or another fresh herb like thyme works well too.
For a shortcut, mince garlic ahead and freeze in small batches. My family prefers when I melt the butter directly in the slow cooker before adding beef to get every bit of that garlic butter sauce flavor infused right from the start.
How to Make It
Follow these simple steps to create your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef with confidence:
1. Prep the beef
Start by cutting your chuck roast into large chunks, about 2 inches each. Pat them dry with paper towels to help with browning if you choose to sear. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika.
2. Brown the beef (optional but recommended)
If you have time, brown the beef chunks in a hot skillet with 2 tablespoons of butter. This step adds depth to the flavor and locks in juices. While optional, I always do it and notice a richer taste in my Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef.
3. Add garlic and butter to your slow cooker
Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in the slow cooker on low while prepping. Stir in the minced garlic and let it soften for about 2 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing as garlic infuses the butter.
4. Layer the beef in the slow cooker
Place the browned beef chunks in the slow cooker over the garlic butter base. Pour the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything.
5. Cook low and slow
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. You’ll know your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef is ready when the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily with a gentle pull. Don’t worry if liquid separates a bit; just stir gently before serving.
6. Finish with fresh parsley
Sprinkle chopped parsley right before serving for a fresh touch that brightens the rich garlic butter sauce.
While your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef is simmering, you’ll have time to prep sides or relax. This slow cooked beef comes out perfect even if you get busy with family stuff during the day.
Here’s where I used to mess up my Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef—I didn’t brown the beef first, and it lacked flavor. Now, browning always makes a difference.
If you’re into garlic beef slow cooker meals, this method keeps things easy without losing taste.
Serving Ideas

Our family loves Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef piled on warm mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of the garlic butter sauce. It’s a classic match that doesn’t disappoint. You can also serve it over buttered egg noodles or creamy polenta for an easy beef dinner that feels hearty and comforting.
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef is perfect for busy weeknights when time is limited, but you want a meal that feels special. It’s also great for casual celebrations when everyone wants something filling and delicious without too much fuss.
For a fresh twist, try topping it with sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables on the side. A crisp green salad balances the richness of the beef beautifully.
Presentation-wise, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a drizzle of extra melted butter makes the dish feel restaurant-worthy.
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to use any extra Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef in sandwiches or wraps the next day to stretch the meal further.
One time I shared this recipe with a friend who tried a garlic butter beef slow cooker bite version that paired it with creamy mashed potatoes—similar to my recipe but smaller bites. They loved the ease and flavor so much, I linked to their take on Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites here and also another great version from Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites – The Country Cook.
Your family might enjoy exploring these versions too—they keep the garlic butter sauce front and center in enjoyable, easy slow cooker beef recipes.
Your Questions Answered
Can I make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef ahead of time?
Absolutely! I usually make it the day before and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat on low while stirring occasionally. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef even more delicious.
What if I don’t have fresh garlic for my Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef?
You can use garlic powder—about 1½ teaspoons replaces 8 cloves. While fresh garlic adds the best flavor, garlic powder still delivers a tasty garlic butter sauce.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, though chuck roast is preferred because it becomes tender during slow cooking. Brisket or even stew meat can work, but cooking times might vary slightly.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating gently.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
You can add carrots or potatoes, but I recommend adding them halfway through cooking. Otherwise, they might get too soft compared to the beef.
What sides go best with this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef?
Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, polenta, or crusty bread all soak up garlic butter sauce beautifully. I’ve shared a recipe for garlic butter beef bites with creamy mashed potatoes if you want another slow cooker beef recipe to try.
Is browning beef absolutely necessary?
Not always, but it really boosts flavor. If you’re in a rush, you can skip it and still get tender, flavorful slow cooked beef.
This recipe is a favorite on our site because it fits into a busy life so well. It pairs nicely with other family-friendly slow cooker meals like my Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe and Slow Cooker Chicken Korma recipe if you want variety.
The Final Word
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef is a true win for any home cook. It delivers tender, slow cooked beef that melts in your mouth and a rich garlic butter sauce everyone loves at our table. This recipe has earned a special spot in my family’s favorites because it’s easy to prepare and creates meal memories that stick.
My Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Tips:
- Always brown your beef chunks when you have time for the best flavor
- Use plenty of fresh garlic or good quality garlic powder to make the sauce shine
- Don’t rush the slow cooking time—low and slow gives you the most tender beef
I’ve also tried variations using stew meat bites for quicker cooking, adding mushrooms for extra earthiness, and swapping parsley for fresh thyme with great results. My youngest adores the stew meat version, while my husband prefers the classic roast chunks.
You can adapt this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef recipe to your family’s tastes and schedule with ease and confidence. I hope it becomes one of your go-to easy beef dinners that bring your table to life.
If your family loves this, they’ll also enjoy the garlic butter beef bites recipe served with creamy mashed potatoes. For more slow cooker favorites, try my Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe or Slow Cooker Chicken Korma recipe—both comforting meals your family will ask for again and again.
For other takes on garlic butter beef slow cooker meals, check out this Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Bites from The Country Cook, or KJ and Company’s Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites. On Facebook, there’s a wonderful community post with a Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes recipe worth exploring as well.
Give this recipe a try. Your kitchen will smell incredible, and your family will love gathering around the table to enjoy a meal that feels both effortless and full of homemade warmth.
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef is a tender, flavorful dish slow-cooked to perfection with rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for an effortless and comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef chunks on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
- Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shredded.
- Before serving, shred the beef with two forks and mix well with the cooking juices.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For best results, serve over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.

