Crock Pot Venison Cube Steak: Tender And Delicious

can you cook venison cube steak in the crock pot

Cube steak is a tough cut of meat that comes from the cow's shoulder. Tenderising it with a mallet or meat tenderiser can make it easier to chew. A crock pot is a great way to cook cube steak, as the long, slow cooking process breaks down the meat's tough fibres, resulting in a tender steak. You can cook venison cube steak in a crock pot, but the cook time should be shorter than for beef cube steak.

Characteristics Values
Cook time 3-8 hours
Type of meat Venison or beef
Cut of meat Cube steak
Recipe ingredients Cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, beef broth, garlic, coffee (optional)
Crockpot size 6-quart or larger
Tender Yes

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Marinating the venison in coffee

Marinating venison in coffee is a great way to use what would usually be wasted. The coffee imparts a subtle earthy, umami flavour that complements the meat beautifully.

To marinate the venison, place the meat in a bag with cool coffee and leave it for at least an hour. This will help pull out the blood and reduce the gaminess of the meat. If you have the time, you can leave the venison to marinate overnight for extra tenderisation.

After removing the venison from the coffee, discard the coffee and pat the meat dry before proceeding with your chosen recipe. Some recipes suggest seasoning the venison with salt and pepper before coating it in a coffee rub, while others recommend placing the meat directly into the crockpot after marination.

For a coffee rub, mix together ingredients like chilli powder, ground coffee, brown sugar, paprika, dried oregano, fresh pepper, mustard powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, ginger, and salt. This rub will create a flavourful crust on the outside of the meat, adding a unique dimension to your dish.

Whether you choose to use a coffee rub or not, marinating venison in coffee is a great way to infuse subtle flavours and improve the texture of the meat.

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The best cuts of meat for crock pot meals

Slow cookers are a great way to prepare flavourful and tender meat. The best cuts of meat for slow cookers or crock pots are those that have a lot of connective tissue and marbling, which break down over time to become tender and flavourful. Here are some of the best cuts of meat for your crock pot meals:

Chuck Roast

Cut from the shoulder area, beef chuck roast is one of the most popular choices for slow cookers due to its rich marbling and connective tissue. As it slow cooks, the collagen melts into the meat, resulting in juicy, tender meat. Before placing it in the slow cooker, sear the roast on all sides to enhance its flavour.

Pork Shoulder

Pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt, is another excellent option for the slow cooker. It is cut from the shoulder area, similar to pork butt, and is perfect for rich and satisfying meals. For extra depth of flavour, brown the meat first before slow cooking it with your choice of seasonings, BBQ sauce, garlic, and onion.

Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs offer both versatility and great value for slow cooking. Cooking chicken in the crock pot results in juicy, tender meat that falls off the bone. Season the chicken well inside and out before placing it in the slow cooker. You can place it on a bed of vegetables or use a rack for even cooking.

Lamb Shanks

Lamb shanks are perfect for slow cooking with ingredients like rosemary, garlic, tomatoes, and red wine. The meat slowly becomes tender and flavourful, and the dish freezes well for future meals.

Venison Cube Steak

Cube steaks are tough cuts of meat that become tender when cooked slowly in a crock pot. Venison cube steak can be marinated in coffee to pull out the blood and ease the gaminess. It can be cooked in the crock pot with ingredients like mushroom soup, onion soup, garlic, and beef broth.

These cuts of meat are ideal for crock pot meals, providing tasty and tender results. With the right ingredients and preparation, you can create delicious and convenient meals with your slow cooker.

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How to make gravy

Yes, you can cook venison cube steak in a crock pot. Here is a recipe for making crock pot cube steak with gravy. This recipe uses venison, but you can also use beef cube steak.

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 cube steaks
  • 1 cup coffee (optional)
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 package Lipton onion soup mix
  • 2 tablespoons garlic
  • Beef broth
  • Place the cube steaks in a bag with cool coffee and let the meat marinate for at least 1 hour. This helps pull out the blood and reduces the gaminess of the meat.
  • Drain the coffee and place the Lipton onion soup mix in the bottom of the crock pot.
  • Lay the cube steaks as evenly as possible over the soup mix.
  • Top with cream of mushroom soup, garlic, and beef broth.
  • Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours until the meat is tender.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water.
  • Stir the mixture into the crock pot. You can remove the steaks if you find it easier to whisk without them in the way, but make sure to put them back in as soon as you've mixed the slurry in.
  • Turn the crock pot to high and cook for another 20-30 minutes until the gravy has thickened.

This is a simple and inexpensive recipe that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or bread to dip into the gravy.

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What to serve venison cube steak with

Venison cube steak is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve with it:

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish for steak, and venison cube steak is no exception. You can make your own mashed potatoes from scratch or try Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes. Don't forget to smother them in gravy! The gravy can be made from the pan drippings left in the skillet, creating a savoury brown gravy. Alternatively, you can use a jar of beef gravy for a quick and easy option.

Rice

Rice is another option to serve with venison cube steak. You can pair it with gravy and a vegetable side, such as Italian Green Beans, Bacon Garlic Green Beans, or Maple Glazed Carrots.

Egg Noodles

Egg noodles go well with the steak and gravy combination.

Green Beans

Green beans are a popular choice to serve with venison cube steak. You can stew them with smoked bacon or try them Italian-style.

Sandwich

For a more casual option, you can serve the venison cube steak in a hamburger bun with gravy. This creates a hearty fried steak sandwich.

Mushroom Sauce

A mushroom sauce can be a delicious addition to the venison cube steak. Simply add a 1/2 cup of finely chopped mushrooms to your gravy for a flavour boost.

Remember, venison is a lean red meat with a unique flavour, so feel free to season it generously and adjust the recipe to your taste preferences.

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How long to cook for

The cooking time for venison cube steak in a crock pot is between 3 and 8 hours, depending on the crockpot model and the desired texture of the meat.

For a fork-tender texture, it is recommended to cook the venison cube steak on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. This longer cooking time at a lower temperature will ensure that the meat is tender and can be easily cut with a fork.

If you are short on time, you can cook the venison cube steak on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. This will still result in tender meat, but it may not be as easily cut with a fork as the meat cooked on low heat for a longer period.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the crockpot model and the number of steaks being cooked. For example, if you are doubling the recipe, the cooking time may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Additionally, some recipes suggest marinating the venison cube steak in coffee for at least one hour before cooking. This step will add to the total preparation time but is said to help pull the blood out of the meat and ease the gamey taste.

Overall, the cooking time for venison cube steak in a crock pot can range from 3 to 8 hours, depending on the desired texture, cooking temperature, and specific crockpot model.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can cook venison cube steak in a crock pot.

The cooking time depends on the crock pot, but it should take around 3 hours.

Ingredients include cube steaks, cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, garlic, and beef broth.

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