Cody Casey
Cooking steak bites in a crock pot is an easy way to make a delicious, hearty meal with minimal effort. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, as it requires very little preparation and can be left to cook slowly throughout the day. The result is tender, juicy steak bites with a rich sauce that can be served as a main dish or with sides such as rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Steak | Top sirloin, round steak, chuck roast, flat iron steak |
| Steak Preparation | Cut into bite-sized pieces, remove excess fat and gristle |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion soup mix, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, red wine, thyme, rosemary |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, Texas Roadhouse Rolls, salad, roasted vegetables |
| Cooking Time | 3-4 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low |
| Leftovers | Can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, can be frozen for 2-3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right steak
Type of Steak
Sirloin steak is a popular choice for crockpot steak bites due to its tenderness, flavour, and affordability. It is lean, making it suitable for slow cooking without becoming tough. Other recommended options include round steak, chuck roast, and flat iron steak. Flat iron steak, in particular, offers a great steak flavour at a more reasonable price. If you're short on time, you can also opt for pre-cut stew meat, which is convenient and perfect for tossing into your crockpot.
Quality of Meat
When choosing your steak, look for meat with good marbling, which means it has a nice distribution of fat throughout the muscle. This fat will melt during the slow cooking process, adding flavour and keeping the steak moist and tender.
Freshness
Opt for fresh, high-quality steak from a reputable butcher or grocery store. Look for bright red meat with a slight marbling of fat. Avoid steak that has a dull colour or excessive liquid in the packaging, as this may indicate that it is not fresh.
Personal Preference
Ultimately, the right steak depends on your personal preference. If you prefer a leaner cut, sirloin is a great option. If you want a more economical choice, round steak or chuck roast are good alternatives. If you're a fan of the traditional steak flavour, flat iron steak might be your best bet.
Remember, the beauty of crockpot steak bites is that even tougher cuts of steak can be transformed into tender, juicy bites with the magic of slow cooking. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of steak to find your favourite!
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Seasoning
Another important component of the seasoning process is the use of butter. Butter adds richness to the steak bites and helps to create a delicious gravy. It is recommended to use unsalted butter, as the au jus gravy mix and onion soup mix already contain enough salt. You can also add fresh parsley to the dish as a garnish, which will add a fresh, herbal flavour.
If you are using onion in your crock pot steak bites, you can use either fresh onion or onion soup mix. Fresh onion will add a strong onion flavour to the dish, while onion soup mix is a convenient way to get that flavour without having to chop any onions. Garlic is another popular ingredient in crock pot steak bites. You can use fresh garlic cloves, which you can mince yourself, or you can use jarred minced garlic.
Finally, the type of salt you use can make a difference in the seasoning process. Kosher salt is larger than table salt and adds flavour while also helping to tenderize the meat during cooking. However, if you are using other salty ingredients, such as onion soup mix or au jus gravy mix, you may want to use less salt to avoid over-seasoning the dish.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for steak bites in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific model of the crock pot. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow.
For a slow and low cook, which will result in more tender steak bites, it is recommended to cook the steak bites on low for around 6-8 hours. This longer cooking time at a lower temperature allows the collagen in the meat to break down, ensuring that the steak bites are fork-tender. If you find that your steak bites are still chewy, continue cooking in 30-minute increments until the desired tenderness is achieved, ensuring there is enough liquid in the crock pot.
Alternatively, if you are short on time, you can cook the steak bites on high for 3-4 hours. This higher temperature setting speeds up the cooking process, but it may not yield the same level of tenderness as the low and slow method.
It is worth noting that the cooking time can also depend on the size of the steak bites. Smaller, bite-sized pieces of steak will cook faster than larger pieces, so it is important to cut the steak into uniform pieces before cooking.
Additionally, different crock pots may have varying temperature settings, so it is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines for your specific model to ensure optimal cooking results.
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Sides and pairings
Steak bites are a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides and accompaniments. Here are some ideas for sides and pairings to serve with crockpot steak bites:
Starchy Sides
Potatoes are a classic side dish for steak, and there are several ways to prepare them. You could make mashed potatoes, either plain or with additions like cream cheese, sour cream, or cheese. For a fancier option, try Duchess Potatoes, which are piped and baked with a subtle crispness. Roasted potatoes with rosemary or garlic are another tasty option. If you're looking for something simpler, baked potatoes or potato wedges are always a good choice.
Other starchy sides to consider include rice, egg noodles, or mushroom risotto.
Vegetables
Steak bites pair well with a variety of vegetables. Roasted vegetables are a great option, especially cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, or green beans. You could also try oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta or broccoli with garlic and lemon. If you're looking for something lighter, a salad can be a perfect pairing, such as an arugula and pear salad or a baby arugula salad with a chili lime vinaigrette.
Dipping Sauces and Condiments
Steak bites can be delicious when paired with various dipping sauces. Some options include chimichurri, ranch, horseradish sauce, or clarified butter.
Wine
A bold, hearty red wine is a great match for steak bites. Try a Cabernet, Syrah, or Zinfandel to complement the flavors of the dish.
Other Sides
Some other sides that can complement steak bites include Texas Roadhouse Rolls, creamed spinach, or roasted garlic.
Feel free to mix and match these sides to create a well-rounded and delicious meal!
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Storing and reheating
If you have leftovers after making CrockPot Steak Bites, they can be stored and reheated. To store your leftovers, separate them into meal-sized portions and place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to three days. You can also freeze your steak bites; they will keep for up to three months in a freezer bag or container.
To reheat your steak bites, you can use a slow cooker, stove, microwave, or air fryer. If you're using a microwave, place your steak bites on a microwave-safe dish and cover them loosely with a damp paper towel. Set your microwave to medium heat or 50% power and cook in 30-second increments, flipping your steak bites in between. You can also reheat your steak bites in a skillet with some vegetable oil or butter. Add your steak bites to a bowl of mashed potatoes, rice, or salad for a complete meal.
If you're reheating thicker cuts of steak, it's best to slowly warm them in the oven first and then finish them in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. For smaller cuts, you can warm them quickly in a pan on the stovetop.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, trimming off any excess fat and gristle. Season the steak with salt and pepper, then sear it. Place the steak bites in the crock pot and add your choice of onion, garlic, butter, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine. Cook on a high setting for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, and baked potatoes are all popular side dishes to serve with crock pot steak bites. You could also serve oven-roasted vegetables, salad, or green beans.
Yes, you can store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also freeze them for up to two to three months.
Sirloin steak is a popular choice because it is lean, flavorful, and suitable for slow cooking. However, other cuts of steak such as round steak, chuck roast, or flat iron steak can also be used.
