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A plate of slow cooker garlic butter beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, garnished with parsley.

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef: 10 Min Prep

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Written by Alex Hayes

September 5, 2025

Hey everyone! Alex here. You know, for years, the kitchen felt like a place I avoided. Long work hours, zero energy – it was easier to grab something on the go. I honestly thought I just wasn’t a “kitchen person.” But then I tried baking bread, and that first successful loaf? It was like a lightbulb went off. It wasn’t just about the bread; it was the peace I felt creating something delicious with my own hands. That’s how Pure Cooking Joy really got started – sharing that feeling that incredible food doesn’t have to be complicated.

That’s exactly why I’m so excited about this slow cooker garlic butter beef. Seriously, this is the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. Imagine coming home to the most amazing aroma of tender, fall-apart beef coated in a rich, buttery garlic sauce. It’s pure comfort, perfect for those busy weeknights when you just want a delicious, fuss-free dinner. Trust me, this recipe will become a go-to. You can follow along on my cooking journey over on Facebook too!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef

This recipe is an absolute winner for so many reasons!

  • Incredibly Easy: Seriously, prep takes about 10 minutes and then your slow cooker does all the work.
  • Minimal Mess: Just one pot to clean up afterwards – my favorite kind of cooking!
  • Unbelievable Flavor: That garlic butter sauce? Pure magic. It makes the beef so tender and delicious.
  • Perfect ‘Set and Forget’: It’s the ideal way to get a fantastic meal on the table after a long workday.
  • Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike rave about this one. It’s pure comfort food!
  • Versatile: Great for busy weeknights or when you’re entertaining without the stress.

Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this amazing slow cooker garlic butter beef. It’s really straightforward, and the magic happens with just a few simple, quality ingredients. Here’s what you should grab:

  • A good 3 to 4 pound chuck roast. This cut is perfect for slow cooking because it gets so tender!
  • 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Just the basics to make that beef flavor pop.
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder – hello, more garlic flavor!
  • 1/2 cup of butter, melted. Yes, half a cup! This is where that amazing creamy goodness comes from.
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil. This helps get the butter nice and hot and adds a touch of its own flavor.
  • At least 10 to 12 cloves of garlic, minced. Don’t be shy with the garlic, it’s the star here!
  • 1 cup of beef broth. This adds depth and moisture while it cooks.
  • 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. It’s like a little secret ingredient that adds a whole lot of umami.
  • And if you like a thicker sauce, grab about 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. We’ll mix them up later if you want that sauce to coat everything just perfectly.

How to Prepare Your Tender Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef

Alright, let’s get this amazing slow cooker garlic butter beef going! It’s so simple, I promise. You’ll feel like a total kitchen pro, even if you’re just starting out. We’re going to build some incredible flavor layer by layer, making sure that beef turns out unbelievably tender and absolutely drenched in that dreamy garlic butter sauce. If you loved my crockpot steak bites, you are going to adore this!

Prepping the Chuck Roast for Maximum Flavor

First things first, grab your chuck roast. Give it a good pat down with some paper towels. This little step helps the seasonings stick way better, which means more flavor for us! Then, sprinkle it all over with salt, pepper, and that garlic powder. Make sure every side gets a nice coating. This is the foundation for all that yummy goodness to come.

Creating the Flavorful Garlic Butter Sauce

Now for the best part – the sauce base! In a small bowl, just whisk together your melted butter, olive oil, and all that gorgeous minced garlic. Oh my gosh, the smell alone is worth it! This golden mixture is what’s going to infuse the beef with so much flavor as it cooks slowly. It’s simple, but trust me, it makes all the difference.

The Slow Cooking Process for Tender Beef

Time to assemble! Place that seasoned roast right into your slow cooker. Pour that glorious garlic butter mixture all over the top. Then, add in the beef broth and that splash of Worcestershire sauce. These liquids help create steam, keeping the roast moist and tender. Cover it up, and let your slow cooker do its magic. You can cook it on low for about 8 to 10 hours, or if you’re a bit short on time, high for 4 to 5 hours works too. You’re looking for the beef to be super tender, like it just falls apart when you touch it with a fork.

Thickening the Butter Garlic Sauce (Optional)

If you like your sauce a little thicker, like something that really clings to the beef, here’s a super easy trick. In a tiny bowl, whisk together your cornstarch and water until it’s totally smooth. Then, just stir that into the hot liquid in the slow cooker. Turn the heat up to high for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nice and thick. Perfect for spooning over everything!

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef

Okay, so we’ve got the basics down, but let me give you a few little secrets that really take this slow cooker garlic butter beef over the top. These are the things I’ve learned in my kitchen that make a big difference. Firstly, don’t skip searing the roast! Seriously, just a quick sear on all sides in a hot pan before it goes into the slow cooker adds this amazing depth of flavor and a gorgeous color. And about the garlic – always use fresh! That pre-minced stuff in a jar just doesn’t have the same punch. Sometimes my slow cooker runs a little hotter or cooler than others, so trust your senses – if the beef isn’t shredding easily after the suggested time, just give it a bit longer. It’s all about that perfect, tender texture. For more kitchen wisdom, you can always check out my latest blog posts!

Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Roast Recipe

Now that you’ve got this glorious, tender slow cooker garlic butter beef, what do you do with it? Oh, let me tell you, the possibilities are delicious! My absolute favorite way is spooning it right over a big pile of fluffy mashed potatoes. That rich garlic butter sauce just soaks right in, making the potatoes sing. It’s pure comfort on a plate. Or, if you’re feeling something a little different, it’s also amazing over a bed of perfectly cooked rice. Try my cilantro lime rice for a zesty kick, or perhaps some creamy garlic parmesan risotto. Crusty bread is also a must-have for soaking up every last drop of that amazing sauce. It makes any weeknight feel like a special family dinner!

Storage and Reheating Your Tender Beef

Leftovers are honestly some of the best part of this slow cooker garlic butter beef! Once it’s cooled down a bit, just pop the beef and sauce into an airtight container. It’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for round two, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, or pop a serving in the microwave. You want to warm it through without drying it out, so keep an eye on it!

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef

Got questions about this incredible slow cooker garlic butter beef? I totally get it! It’s always good to know the little details. Here are some things people often ask:

Can I use a different cut of beef?

While chuck roast is pretty much king for this recipe because it gets so wonderfully tender, you could try a beef brisket too. Just keep an eye on the cooking time; it might need a little longer to get that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

How can I make the sauce spicier?

Oh, a little heat is a great idea! You can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter and garlic mixture before it goes in the slow cooker. Or, if you want to kick it up a notch after it’s done, a dash of your favorite hot sauce in each serving always works wonders!

Can I prep this the night before?

Absolutely! That’s one of the best things about slow cooker meals. You can absolutely season your roast and even make up the garlic butter sauce mixture the night before. Just pop it all in the slow cooker vessel, cover it, and put it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, just transfer the vessel to your slow cooker base, add the liquids, and turn it on. Easy peasy!

What if my slow cooker runs hot or cold?

Slow cookers can be a bit quirky! If yours tends to run hot, start checking your roast a little earlier than the minimum time. If it runs cooler, it might just need that full 10 hours on low. The key is that fork-tender texture, so don’t be afraid to let it cook a little longer if needed. You can always check my disclaimer for more general cooking advice!

Nutritional Information

Just a little note on nutrition! The values below are estimates for about a 6-ounce serving of the beef with sauce, and they can change depending on exactly how much you use or any variations you make. It’s an estimate, but a pretty good one!

  • Calories: Around 550
  • Fat: Roughly 35g
  • Protein: About 50g
  • Carbohydrates: Approximately 5g
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef

A serving of slow cooker garlic butter beef with mashed potatoes in a white bowl.

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Enjoy tender, flavorful beef in a rich garlic butter sauce with this easy slow cooker recipe. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner.

  • Author: purejoyalex
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 4-10 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 min
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 lb chuck roast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1012 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Place the seasoned roast in your slow cooker.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, and minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the roast.
  4. Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is very tender and shreds easily.
  6. Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred or slice it.
  7. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker with the cooking liquid. Stir and cook on high for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  8. Serve the beef and garlic butter sauce over mashed potatoes or rice.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, you can sear the roast on all sides in a hot skillet before placing it in the slow cooker.
  • This recipe is a great example of simple meal planning for busy weeks.
  • Consider this a comforting alternative to some meal delivery services.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 oz beef with sauce
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 50g
  • Cholesterol: 180mg

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Hi, I'm Alex! I believe incredible food doesn't have to be complicated. Here at Pure Cooking Joy, I share delicious, approachable recipes designed to bring happiness back into your kitchen. Let's get cooking!

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