If there’s a dish that will instantly win you fame among family and friends, it’s these incredibly flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites. Imagine cubes of juicy beef that soak up a sweet and garlicky sauce, all done with literally minutes of hands-on prep. This is comfort food that feels both special and ridiculously easy, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays alike. I promise, once you try these steak bites, they’ll become a regular request in your house!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is how simple the ingredients are, but don’t let that fool you — each one earns its place for boosting flavor, texture, or a pop of color. Fresh, pantry, and a couple of garnishes are all you need for unforgettable Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites.
- Sirloin steak or stew meat (2 pounds): Go for well-marbled meat for the most succulent bites; sirloin is tender but stew meat works great too.
- Low-sodium soy sauce (1/2 cup): This brings rich, savory undertones without overwhelming saltiness.
- Honey (1/3 cup): Adds crave-worthy sweetness and gives the sauce its irresistible sticky glaze.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Helps the steak brown and brings that earthy background note.
- Sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Don’t skip this! It gives the whole dish a toasty, almost nutty depth that feels restaurant quality.
- Garlic, minced (5 cloves): Fresh garlic is the secret weapon for zesty flavor in every bite.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Lends gentle sweetness and extra aroma, rounding out the sauce beautifully.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds just enough warmth and bite to keep the beef bright-tasting.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Give it a subtle kick — or add more if you like extra spice.
- Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Essential for thickening that luscious sauce at the end.
- Water (2 tablespoons): Used with cornstarch for the perfect velvety texture.
- Chopped green onions & sesame seeds, for garnish (optional): A handful of these at the end perks up the finished dish with freshness and crunch.
How to Make Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites
Step 1: Prepare the Steak
Start by trimming and cutting your sirloin steak (or stew meat) into bite-sized cubes, about 1 to 1.5 inches each. This ensures the meat cooks evenly, absorbs all those wonderful flavors, and is super easy to eat. Pop the Steak Bites into your slow cooker and spread them out so they’re ready for saucy magic.
Step 2: Mix the Magical Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together your low-sodium soy sauce, sweet honey, olive oil, sesame oil, minced garlic, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you’re in the mood for a little heat. This aromatic combination creates the umami-rich, sweet-and-savory base that gives the Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites their signature flavor.
Step 3: Combine and Coat
Pour the sauce all over the steak bites in your slow cooker, then give everything a gentle stir to make sure every chunk is well coated. This simple step is what guarantees each bite bursts with that honey garlic goodness when it’s done.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
Cover and set your slow cooker to low for 4 to 5 hours, or high for 2 to 3 hours. As the meat simmers gently, it turns incredibly tender while soaking up all the flavors. Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing by the end — it’s almost impossible to wait!
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
In the last 30 minutes of cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a smooth slurry. Stir this into the crockpot. Replace the lid and let it finish cooking; the sauce will thicken up and become wonderfully glossy, clinging beautifully to every steak bite.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Right before you serve, sprinkle the top of your Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites with plenty of chopped green onions and sesame seeds. These final touches give a fresh crunch and a pop of color, making your dish as gorgeous as it is delicious.
How to Serve Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites
Garnishes
For the ultimate finish, don’t hold back on scattered green onions and a shower of sesame seeds. Not only do they add a burst of freshness and crunch, but they also make your platter look downright inviting. You can even sprinkle on some extra red pepper flakes for sparkle and spice if you love a little heat!
Side Dishes
These steak bites are heavenly served over fluffy steamed white rice, but don’t stop there. Try buttery mashed potatoes, garlic noodles, or even a simple bowl of steamed broccoli or snap peas for a balanced meal. The sauce is starring in this show, so pick sides that will soak it all up or let the beef shine.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, thread a few steak bites onto skewers for party appetizers, pile them onto slider rolls with crunchy slaw for amazing mini sandwiches, or tuck them into lettuce cups with quick-pickled veggies for a fresh, hand-held option. Let your imagination run wild — Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites are wonderfully versatile!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the steak bites have cooled to room temperature, transfer them (with their glorious sauce) to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days — the flavors get even better as they mingle!
Freezing
For longer storage, you can absolutely freeze Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites. Ladle them with extra sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the steak bites and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. You can also use the microwave in short bursts, stirring between each one to prevent overheating. The steak bites will stay tender and the sauce just as rich as day one!
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites?
Absolutely! While sirloin is especially tender, stew meat or even chuck roast cut into cubes will work great. Just know that fattier cuts might give you an even richer, more melt-in-your-mouth result.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten free?
Yes, just swap the soy sauce for a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and double-check all your labels. Everything else in the recipe is already gluten-free.
How spicy are these steak bites?
By default, they’re mild with a subtle warmth from black pepper. The optional red pepper flakes add a pleasant kick, but you can leave them out or increase them for your ideal heat level.
Can I prep Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites ahead of time?
You can whisk together the sauce a day in advance and cube your meat ahead too. Store them separately, then just toss everything in the slow cooker when you’re ready to cook for a true hands-off meal.
What’s the best way to serve leftovers?
Leftover steak bites are fabulous over a rice bowl, stuffed in a wrap, or even tossed into a stir fry with your favorite veggies. The flavors only deepen as they sit, making leftovers something to look forward to!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a recipe that guarantees happy faces all around the table, look no further than Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites. They’re ridiculously easy, packed with flavor, and endlessly versatile. Give them a try soon — I can’t wait for you to taste just how good slow-cooked steak can be!
Print
Tender Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These tender slow cooker honey garlic steak bites are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. The combination of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic creates a delicious sauce that coats the juicy pieces of steak. Serve over rice or with your favorite side for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Steak Bites:
- 2 pounds sirloin steak or stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Slurry:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the steak bites to the slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Pour the sauce over the steak bites and stir to coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the beef is tender.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl, then stir the slurry into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Replace the lid and let cook for the remaining time.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving, if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute sirloin with chuck roast or stew meat.
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 312
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 678mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 78mg
