This is one of those not fancy but totally satisfying meals that everybody loves. Our crockpot cube steak recipe combines tender cube steak with a savory sauce, and is perfect for busy days, special occasions, or simply when you need some good comfort food! The slow cooking process not only infuses the steak with flavors from ingredients like sliced onion, garlic, and beef broth but also ensures that this tough cut of meat becomes fork-tender and totally amazing. When paired with green beans and served atop mashed potatoes, Crockpot Cubed Steak makes for a hearty, comforting, and flavorful meal that the entire family will devour. For more comfort food recipes to try in your slow cooker, check out my Slow Cooker Crack Chicken, Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles, Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, Creamy Crockpot Italian Chicken, and Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast Sandwiches!
Why We Love This Recipe
By combining just a handful of ingredients in a crockpot, you set yourself up for a delicious outcome with minimal effort. This easy cube steak recipe is a great way to make a budget-friendly cut of beef shine, transformed into a delicacy that feels indulgent without breaking the bank.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
All-Purpose Flour – Used for dredging the cube steaks, the flour helps to create a crust that will thicken the gravy as it cooks. Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – These spices add depth and savory notes to both the meat and the gravy. Smoked Paprika – Adds a subtle smokiness and color to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor. Kosher Salt & Black Pepper – These essential seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients. Olive Oil – Used for searing the steaks, it adds a slight richness and helps in creating a flavorful fond on the bottom of the pan. Onion – Thinly sliced, it adds sweetness and texture to the dish as it cooks down and caramelizes. Garlic – Adds a punch of flavor, complementing the other seasonings and contributing to the savory gravy. Beef Broth – This forms the base of the gravy, adding moisture and depth of flavor that makes the cube steak tender and delicious. Worcestershire Sauce – This condiment enhances the meaty flavors and adds complexity to the gravy. Dried Thyme & Dried Rosemary – These herbs contribute earthy and aromatic notes to the dish, elevating the overall taste. Heavy Cream – Transforms the gravy into a rich, creamy sauce. Chopped Fresh Parsley – Used for garnish, it adds a fresh, bright finish to the dish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Cube Steak
Tips for Success
Building a rich, savory gravy is all about layering flavors. After searing the steaks, use the same skillet to sauté onions and garlic, then deglaze the pan with beef broth. This step adds depth to the gravy and also incorporates the flavorful fond (the brown bits left in the pan after searing meat) into the sauce. The slow cooker is ideal for making cube steak tender and succulent. Cooking on low heat allows the connective tissues in the meat to break down over time without drying out the steak. Resist the urge to open the lid frequently, as this can extend the cooking time by letting heat escape. Before serving, check the consistency of your gravy. If it’s too thin, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (a mixture of cornstarch and cold water), and if it’s too thick, thin it out with a little extra beef broth or water. This final adjustment ensures your gravy is just right, complementing the tender cube steak perfectly. Feel free to add some mushrooms to the onion and garlic for some extra flavor in the sauce. A great way to enjoy this crockpot cubed steak is to serve it with a side of mashed potatoes and greens, such as green beans or broccoli. This gravy recipe with mashed potatoes makes such a delicious combination!
Substitutions and Variations
If you need a gluten-free option, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. For a different texture, cornstarch can also be used as a thickener for the gravy. For a slightly different flavor profile, try using sweet paprika instead of regular, or for a bit of heat, a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder can be added. Sea salt or Himalayan pink salt can be used instead of kosher salt. For black pepper, freshly ground pepper will provide the best flavor. If olive oil is not available, other cooking oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, or even butter can be used for searing the meat. Chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted for beef broth, although beef broth offers the richest flavor for this particular dish. For a more intense flavor, consider using beef stock. Soy sauce or tamari can be used as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce, but they will change the flavor profile slightly. Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried, but remember to triple the quantity since fresh herbs are less potent than dried. Other herbs like oregano or basil can also be used for variation. For a lighter version, half-and-half or whole milk can be substituted in place of the heavy cream. For a dairy-free version, coconut milk or a rich nut milk like cashew milk can be used, though this will change the flavor slightly. Fresh parsley is mainly for garnish, so it can be omitted or substituted with other fresh herbs like chives or cilantro for a different taste.
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This process creates a flavorful crust on the meat and locks in juices, allowing the meat to get tender on the inside but still stay intact and not fall apart while the cube steak cooks in the slow cooker. Ensure your skillet is hot and that the steaks are not overcrowded, as this leads to steaming rather than searing.
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