Crock Pot Cubed Steak: Tender And Delicious

how to cook cubed steak in crock pot

Cooking cubed steak in a crock pot is a simple, budget-friendly way to create a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth meal. With a slow cooker, you can transform a tough cut of meat into a tender, mouthwatering dish that's perfect for any occasion. The key to this recipe is slow cooking the steak in gravy, resulting in a flavourful and comforting meal that's ideal for busy weeknights. Whether served with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, this easy crock pot recipe is a great option for a no-fuss dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

Characteristics Values
Type of Dish Comfort food, weeknight dinner
Main Ingredient Cube steak
Other Ingredients Onions, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, cornstarch, water, potatoes, etc.
Cook Time 6-10 hours on low, 3-4 hours on high
Special Equipment Slow cooker/crock pot
Special Instructions Sear the steak before slow cooking for added flavor

cycookery

Ingredients and preparation

The ingredients and preparation method for cooking cube steak in a crock pot are quite simple. You can use a variety of ingredients to flavour the dish, but the core ingredients are cube steak, some form of soup, and a liquid to create the gravy.

First, prepare your crock pot by spraying it with oil or butter. Then, place the cube steak in the crock pot. If you want to brown the meat first, you can do so by searing both sides of the steak in a hot skillet for about 3 minutes on each side. If you choose to do this, remove the steaks from the skillet and set them aside.

Next, you'll want to add some flavour to the crock pot. You can do this by adding some form of soup, such as cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, or French onion soup. You can also add beef broth or stock to the crock pot. If you want to add extra flavour, you can sauté some onions and add them to the crock pot, along with any seasonings you prefer.

Once you have added all your desired ingredients to the crock pot, stir them well to combine. Make sure the cube steaks are coated well by the gravy mixture. You can also add potatoes to the crock pot if you want a one-pot meal.

Cover the crock pot and cook the steaks on a low setting for 6-8 hours or on a high setting for 3-4 hours. If you want to thicken the gravy, combine cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl and stir this mixture into the crock pot about an hour before serving.

You can serve the cube steak with your favourite sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or vegetables. Enjoy!

Melting Cheese in a Pan: Do's and Don'ts

You may want to see also

cycookery

Cooking time and temperature

Cubed steak is a tough cut of meat, so it needs to be cooked slowly at a low temperature to achieve the most tender results.

The cooking time will vary depending on the temperature setting you choose. If you cook the steak on high, it will take 3 to 4 hours. If you opt for a low setting, it will take 6 to 8 hours. You can also try cooking it on high for 2 hours, then switching to low for 6 hours. This longer cooking time at a lower temperature is ideal if you want to prepare the meal in advance and let it cook slowly throughout the day.

The steak should be cooked until it is tender and can be cut with a fork. If you are cooking chuck roast, you may need to cook it for a little longer, around 8 to 10 hours.

To thicken the gravy, you can whisk together cornstarch and cold water, then stir this mixture into the crockpot towards the end of the cooking time.

cycookery

Making the gravy

To make the gravy for your crockpot cubed steak, you will need a slow cooker, a whisk, a skillet, and a small bowl. You will also need the following ingredients:

  • Onion
  • Oil
  • Mushroom soup
  • Beef broth
  • Cornstarch
  • Water
  • Salt and pepper
  • Flour (optional)

First, heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed steaks on both sides with salt and pepper and sear both sides in the hot oil for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set them aside.

Next, reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent, which should take around 5-8 minutes. Then, add the mushroom soup and beef broth to the skillet and whisk to combine.

Now it's time to make the gravy. Add the steaks back to the skillet and submerge them in the gravy. You can also choose to add the onions, mushroom soup, and beef broth to your crockpot and add the steaks, submerging them in the gravy.

If you are using a crockpot, cook the steaks on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until the steaks are tender. If you are cooking on the stovetop, reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer for 2.5 hours, or until the steaks are tender.

To thicken the gravy, combine cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl and stir until mixed well. Then, pour the mixture into the crockpot or skillet and stir to combine. If you are using a crockpot, turn the setting to high and cook until the gravy has thickened.

How to Properly Spray Aluminum Pans

You may want to see also

cycookery

Serving suggestions

Crockpot cubed steak is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some suggestions:

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a popular choice to serve with crockpot cubed steak. The gravy from the steak pairs perfectly with the creamy mashed potatoes, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. You can also try keto mashed potatoes for a low-carb option.

Rice

White rice is a great option to soak up all the delicious gravy from the crockpot cubed steak. You can also try cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.

Noodles

Egg noodles are a favourite side dish to serve with crockpot cubed steak. The gravy coats the noodles, adding extra flavour to the dish.

Vegetables

A variety of vegetables can be served as a side dish or salad with crockpot cubed steak. Some options include Italian green beans, bacon garlic green beans, maple glazed carrots, steamed broccoli, sweet peas, or heartier greens such as kale, Brussels sprouts, or steamed broccoli.

Bread

Dinner rolls or cornbread are a great addition to the meal, providing something to soak up all that delicious gravy.

Other Suggestions

Some other suggestions for serving crockpot cubed steak include cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, homemade pasta, or Texas Roadhouse Rolls with any type of bread.

cycookery

Recipe variations

There are several ways to vary your crockpot cubed steak recipe. Here are some suggestions:

  • Soups and broths: Instead of using cream of mushroom soup, you can use cream of chicken soup or make your own from scratch. You can also add beef broth or stock to enhance the flavour.
  • Vegetables: Try adding some vegetables to the crockpot, such as mushrooms or potatoes. Just be aware that mushrooms may become mushy if cooked for too long.
  • Herbs and seasonings: Experiment with different herbs and seasonings to find your perfect flavour profile. For example, you can use onion powder instead of fresh onions or add some thyme to the gravy.
  • Meat alternatives: If you don't want to use cubed steak, you can try other meats such as chuck roast, pork chops, rump roast, round steak, brisket, or skirt steak.
  • Cooking methods: If you don't have a crockpot or slow cooker, you can also make this recipe in the oven or on the stovetop. Just sear the meat and cook the onions before combining all the ingredients and baking or simmering until tender.
  • Sides and leftovers: Serve your cubed steak with a variety of sides, such as rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed broccoli. For low-carb options, use cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower. Leftovers can be used to make open-faced sandwiches or frozen for another meal.

Frequently asked questions

It is recommended to cook cubed steak in a crock pot for 6 to 8 hours on low heat. However, if you are short on time, you can cook it on high heat for 3 to 4 hours.

You will need cubed steaks, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth. Some recipes also include red onions, potatoes, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.

To make the gravy, whisk together the cream soup, beef broth, and onion soup mix. You can also add bouillon powder or beef stock for extra flavor. Pour this mixture over the cubed steaks in the crock pot and cook until the steaks are tender.

Crock pot cubed steak goes well with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You can also serve it with vegetables such as Italian green beans, bacon garlic green beans, or maple glazed carrots.

To make the cubed steak more tender, cook it on high for 2 hours and then low for 6 hours. You can also dredge the steak in flour, salt, and pepper, and fry for 3 minutes on each side before adding it to the crock pot.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment