Discover the ultimate comfort food with this Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy recipe, designed for busy weeknights. This incredibly easy dish delivers tender, savory cube steak smothered in a rich, homemade gravy, proving that delicious, home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated.
Key Ingredients for Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
- 1.5 – 2 pounds cube steak (about 4-6 pieces)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 packet (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 tablespoons butter or cooking oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream (for a richer gravy)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
How to Make Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy recipe is a triumph of simplicity and flavor. Imagine fork-tender cube steak swimming in a luscious, homemade gravy – all achieved with minimal effort and maximum taste. The secret lies in the slow cooking, which tenderizes the steak beautifully and allows the flavors to meld into a deeply satisfying meal. This dish, with its creamy texture and rich aroma, is perfect for any night of the week and takes just 15 minutes of prep time before the slow cooker does the rest.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cube Steak: Pat the cube steak pieces dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This simple step helps to enhance the natural flavor of the meat.
- Sear the Cube Steak (Optional but Recommended): In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter or heat the cooking oil. Add the seasoned cube steak and sear for about 1-2 minutes per side, until a nice brown crust forms. This step adds an extra layer of flavor to the steak and contributes to a richer gravy. Don’t worry about cooking it through; this is just for color and browning.
- Prepare the Gravy Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry onion soup mix and 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour. Gradually whisk in the beef broth until you have a smooth, lump-free mixture. If you desire a richer, creamier gravy, this is where you can whisk in the milk or heavy cream now.
- Assemble in the Slow Cooker: Place the seared cube steak pieces in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the prepared gravy mixture evenly over the cube steak, ensuring it’s mostly submerged.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the cube steak is incredibly tender and easily falls apart with a fork.
- Thicken the Gravy: Once the cube steak is cooked, carefully remove the steak pieces from the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate. Leave the gravy in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour with about 1/4 cup of cold water or more beef broth until smooth. Turn the slow cooker to the “warm” setting or remove the pot entirely and place it on the stovetop over low heat. Stir the flour mixture into the gravy and cook, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes.
- Serve: Return the tender cube steak to the thickened gravy and stir gently to coat. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy is perfect served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
You’ll adore this Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy for its incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth cube steak, bathing in a rich, savory homemade gravy that tastes like it simmered all day. Unlike the sometimes-tough texture of pan-fried cube steak, slow cooking transforms it into pure succulence. Plus, making this at home is a budget-friendly hero, offering restaurant-quality comfort food without the hefty price tag, using simple pantry staples that likely already exist in your kitchen.
The deeply flavorful onion soup mix and the slow-cooked beef broth create a gravy so delicious, you’ll want to lick the bowl clean – imagine it slathered over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice! It’s the perfect antidote to a long day, delivering warmth and satisfaction with every bite, reminiscent of your grandmother’s amazing cooking but with a fraction of the effort. Don’t wait another minute to experience this culinary hug; give this simple yet spectacular Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy a try this week!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftovers of this delicious Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the gravy has cooled completely before sealing the container.
To reheat, you have a few great options:
- Stovetop: Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or beef broth if the gravy has thickened too much.
- Microwave: Place a serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and reheat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot.
- Freezing: For longer storage, allow the Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy to cool completely and then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the stovetop or microwave methods.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy is a testament to how simple ingredients and a slow cooker can create truly comforting and delicious meals. Give this recipe a try for an easy, satisfying dinner that will become a family favorite.
Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the cube steak pieces dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This simple step helps to enhance the natural flavor of the meat.1.5 – 2 pounds cube steak, salt
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter or heat the cooking oil. Add the seasoned cube steak and sear for about 1-2 minutes per side, until a nice brown crust forms. This step adds an extra layer of flavor to the steak and contributes to a richer gravy. Don’t worry about cooking it through; this is just for color and browning.2 tablespoons butter or cooking oil, 1.5 – 2 pounds cube steak, salt
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry onion soup mix and 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour. Gradually whisk in the beef broth until you have a smooth, lump-free mixture. If you desire a richer, creamier gravy, this is where you can whisk in the milk or heavy cream now.1 packet dry onion soup mix, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup beef broth, 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
- Place the seared cube steak pieces in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the prepared gravy mixture evenly over the cube steak, ensuring it’s mostly submerged.1.5 – 2 pounds cube steak, 1 packet dry onion soup mix, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup beef broth, 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the cube steak is incredibly tender and easily falls apart with a fork.1.5 – 2 pounds cube steak
- Once the cube steak is cooked, carefully remove the steak pieces from the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate. Leave the gravy in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour with about 1/4 cup of cold water or more beef broth until smooth. Turn the slow cooker to the “warm” setting or remove the pot entirely and place it on the stovetop over low heat. Stir the flour mixture into the gravy and cook, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes.1.5 – 2 pounds cube steak, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup beef broth
- Return the tender cube steak to the thickened gravy and stir gently to coat. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy is perfect served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.1.5 – 2 pounds cube steak, fresh parsley