Slow Cooker Cowboy Butter Steak Bites
Slow Cooker Cowboy Butter Steak Bites are tender, juicy, and packed with bold flavor.Beef bites slowly cook until tender and easy to eat.Garlic, butter, herbs, Dijon mustard, and lemon create a rich cowboy butter sauce.A touch of chili adds gentle heat and balances the richness.Serve the steak bites with potatoes, vegetables, rice, or crusty bread.This versatile recipe works as a comforting dinner or impressive party appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
- 2½ pounds sirloin steak, chuck steak, or another suitable slow-cooking beef cut
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
For the Cowboy Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Prepare the Beef
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels.Cut the beef into approximately 1½-inch bite-sized pieces.If using a tougher cut such as chuck, trim away large pieces of excess fat or tough connective tissue.
Season the Steak
- Place the beef pieces in a large bowl.Add salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.Toss until the steak is evenly coated
Sear the Steak
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.Sear the steak pieces in batches for approximately 1–2 minutes per side until browned.Avoid overcrowding the skillet.Transfer the browned steak to the slow cooker.
Add the Cooking Ingredients
- Pour the beef broth into the slow cooker.Add the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried parsley.Stir gently to distribute the ingredients around the beef.
Slow Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for approximately 4–5 hours, or until the beef is tender.The exact cooking time will depend on the cut and size of the beef pieces.
Prepare the Cowboy Butter
- While the beef finishes cooking, melt the butter gently in a small saucepan over low heat.Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, being careful not to brown or burn the garlic.Remove from the heat.Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, chives, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, black pepper,and Worcestershire sauce.
Finish the Steak Bites
- Once the beef is tender, carefully remove it from the slow cooker.Drain or reserve some of the cooking liquid.Place the steak bites in a large bowl.Pour the warm cowboy butter over the beef and toss gently until every piece is coated.
Garnish
- Transfer the steak bites to a serving dish.Sprinkle with fresh parsley and chives.Add a few red pepper flakes for extra heat if desired.Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Choose the right beef: Sirloin works for a quicker, more tender steak bite, while chuck requires longer cooking to become tender.
- Searing is optional: Browning the beef adds deeper flavor but can be skipped when you want a simpler preparation.
- Use unsalted butter: This gives you better control over the final salt level.
- Adjust the heat: Cayenne and red pepper flakes can be increased or reduced according to preference.
- Fresh lemon matters: Lemon juice and zest help balance the richness of the butter.
- Don't burn the garlic: Garlic should be gently warmed in the butter rather than deeply browned.
- Save the cooking liquid: It can be used as a flavorful base for gravy or served alongside the steak.
- Serve immediately: Cowboy butter is at its best when warm and freshly mixed with the steak.