Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe
These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites are tender, flavorful chunks of beef simmered in a deliciously sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a hands-off dinner, this recipe features seared stew beef slow cooked in a blend of honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and oregano, finished with sesame seeds and fresh herbs for a mouthwatering meal served best over rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 pounds stew beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (if needed)
For Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh parsley or scallions (optional)
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 pounds of stew beef and cook until browned on all sides. The goal here is not to cook the beef through but to sear it to lock in flavor.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the seared beef into the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 cloves of minced garlic, ½ cup honey, ½ cup ketchup, ½ cup low sodium soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon dried oregano until fully combined.
- Add Sauce to Beef: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the beef in the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat the meat evenly.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 hours or until the beef is tender and flavorful.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick before the beef is tender, add ½ cup of water to loosen it. If the sauce is too thin after cooking, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with ¼ cup water and stir into the sauce to thicken it, cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and fresh parsley or scallions if desired. Serve hot with rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Searing the beef before slow cooking enhances the flavor and texture.
- Low sodium soy sauce helps control the salt level in this dish.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, use the cornstarch slurry at the end of cooking.
- Garnishes like sesame seeds and fresh herbs add a lovely texture and freshness.
- Serve with steamed rice or your favorite grain for a satisfying meal.