Slow-Cooker Cubed Steak

Do you have 10 minutes free and a sense that you and the family will have a big hunger in three to six hours? Fantastic. This slow cooker cube steak recipe requires all of 10 minutes to prep and can cook in the slow cooker for three hours on high or for six hours on low, and the meat will come out tasting tender and divine.

The secret here is to use two different kinds of soup—a canned mushroom soup and a dried onion soup mix, to be precise—to infuse flavor into the meat. This recipe for cube steak in a crock pot is one you’ll keep handy for those days when you’re in a rush now but still want a great meal later.

Slow-Cooker Cubed Steak Ingredients

• Condensed cream of mushroom soup: This recipe calls for two cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted. The soup adds flavor and moisture, ensuring the steak comes out wonderfully tender.
• Beef broth: Some of this broth is going directly into the slow cooker to help flavor and tenderize the meat, while you’ll use the rest later to make a sort of gravy right there in the slow cooker.
• Onion soup mix: The other flavor hack here, along with the mushroom soup, is using one envelope (or one ounce) of dried onion soup mix.
• Cubed beef steaks: This recipe is designed around four 6-ounce cube steaks, top round or top sirloin that’s been flattened and tenderized. This process means the meat absorbs lots of flavor and cooks more evenly.
• Cornstarch: The cornstarch thickens the juices in the slow cooker into a thick, saucy gravy that is a delight when spooned over the meat and whatever you choose to serve it with.
• Cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes: These are optional pairings, but you really should go with one or the other, as egg noodles and mashed potatoes both soak in the flavor of the steak and gravy.

Directions

Step 1: Add the ingredients to the slow cooker

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In a 6-quart slow cooker, stir together the mushroom soup, 1 cup of broth and the onion soup mix until it has all combined. Add the cubed steaks, then cook the meat on high for three hours or on low for six hours.

Step 2: Make the gravy

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With half an hour to go in the cooking process, make the gravy. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining half cup of broth and the cornstarch, stirring until the latter has dissolved. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker and cook until the sauce has thickened, 30 to 35 minutes longer. Serve the steak and sauce over egg noodles or mashed potatoes, if desired.

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Slow-Cooker Cubed Steak Variations

• Toss in some veggies and potatoes and make it a whole meal: For an entire meal made in the slow cooker, add about a cup of additional broth and chopped potatoes and carrots during the last 40 minutes if cooking on low and the last 25 on high.
• Skip the onion soup mix: If you’re not a fan of onions, just leave the onion soup mix out of this recipe and prepare it as laid out otherwise.
• Use another cut: If you don’t have cube steak, you can by all means use a different cut that benefits from a long cook time. Stick with the long and low cooking approach and turn the steaks over halfway through the cooking.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Cubed Steak

You can safely store the leftovers of this slow-cooker steak recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat the meat in a pan with added broth.

Can you freeze slow-cooker cubed steak?

It’s not a good idea to freeze this steak; it will be very tough and chewy once it has thawed.

Slow-Cooker Cubed Steak Tips

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What is cube steak, exactly?

What else should I serve with this slow-cooker steak?

As noted, egg noodles or mashed potatoes are the ideal side, but another great addition to your meal would be a hearty green such as kale, broccoli or Brussels sprouts.

Can I follow this recipe without a slow cooker?

If you don’t have a crockpot on hand, you can make this recipe in a Dutch oven on the stove on very low heat. Check the meat’s doneness periodically.