Tender Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Strips Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To enhance the flavor of the garlic, you can lightly sauté the minced garlic in the butter for one minute before adding the herbs and pouring it over the beef. This small extra step helps to mellow the raw garlic flavor and creates a more complex, toasted base for the sauce. However, ensure you do not brown the garlic, as this can lead to a bitter taste that could ruin the final dish.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the steak strips after the cooking time is complete and whisk in a small amount of cornstarch slurry into the remaining liquid in the slow cooker.

Turn the setting to high for a few minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. This simple adjustment creates a restaurant-style gravy that clings perfectly to the tender steak strips for a more luxurious eating experience.

Variations

• Spicy Garlic Butter: Add one teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the butter mixture before cooking. This provides a gentle heat that cuts through the richness of the butter and enhances the savory depth of the beef.
• Lemon Herb Steak: Incorporate one tablespoon of fresh lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice into the butter sauce. The acidity of the lemon brightens the dish and provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty steak.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the meat is covered by the sauce to keep it moist.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.

Reheat

Reheat in a pan over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally until the steak is warmed through and the butter is melted.

Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature for no more than 2 hours before transferring them into an airtight container. Keep the steak strips submerged in their garlic butter sauce to prevent the meat from drying out while stored in the refrigerator.

Proper storage in a sealed container will maintain the quality of the dish for up to 3 days, ensuring that the beef remains flavorful and tender when you are ready to enjoy it again.

You can prepare the garlic butter sauce up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator in a sealed jar. When you are ready to cook, simply melt the mixture slightly so it is easy to pour over the beef.

The steak strips themselves can be sliced a few hours before cooking and kept in the refrigerator, but it is best to combine all ingredients in the slow cooker just before starting the cooking process to ensure optimal freshness.

Serving ideas

Serve these garlic butter steak strips over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes or steamed rice to soak up the excess garlic butter sauce. The richness of the beef pairs exceptionally well with a side of roasted asparagus or a fresh, crisp green salad, which provides a nice textural contrast to the tender meat.

For a more casual presentation, serve the strips in warm crusty rolls to create a decadent steak sandwich that highlights the savory, buttery juices.

Present the dish in a warmed serving bowl to keep the butter sauce from solidifying too quickly. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. If serving for a larger group, provide small appetizer forks or a serving spoon, as the tenderness of the steak strips makes them an excellent choice for a communal, family-style dinner experience that everyone will enjoy.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Tender Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Steak Strips

Prep 10 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 2 lb flank steak or sirloin, sliced into strips
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Place the sliced steak strips into the bowl of the slow cooker. Arrange the strips in an even layer to ensure consistent heat distribution throughout the cooking process.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped fresh parsley. Whisk these ingredients together until the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the butter mixture, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
3. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the steak strips in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Once finished, ensure the beef reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Let the meat rest for at least 3 minutes before serving.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

32 g

Carbohydrates

2 g

Fat

31 g

Fiber

0.5 g

Sugar

0.2 g

Sodium

450 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.