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introduction
I remember the first time I tried to make cube steak as a newlywed. The kitchen filled with smoke, the meat turned into something resembling shoe leather, and my husband bravely smiled through each tough, chewy bite. Fast forward a few years (and many cooking experiments later), I discovered the magic of slow cooking this budget-friendly cut – and it completely changed the game.
There’s something deeply comforting about walking into your home after a long day and being greeted by the rich, savory aroma of tender cube steak simmering in thick, flavorful gravy. This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy recipe has become my go-to solution for transforming those inexpensive, often tough cuts of beef into a meal that tastes like it came from a country restaurant.
What makes this recipe special isn’t just how delicious it is (though trust me, it’s mouthwatering). It’s how the slow cooker does all the hard work, breaking down the tough muscle fibers in cube steak until they surrender into fork-tender bites bathed in rich gravy. It’s practically foolproof, incredibly affordable, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner to cook itself.
Why This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy Recipe Is a Must-Try
- Set-It-and-Forget-It Easy: Just 15 minutes of prep in the morning for a complete meal ready by dinner time
- Budget-Friendly: Transforms an economical cut of meat ihttps://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checkernto something that tastes luxurious
- Family Approved: Even picky eaters love this tender meat and savory gravy combination
- Incredibly Tender Results: The slow cooking method guarantees melt-in-your-mouth texture every time
- Versatile Comfort Food: Pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or even bread for sopping up that gravy
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand
- Weeknight Miracle: Have a home-cooked, hearty meal waiting after a busy day
Ingredients Breakdown & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Why It’s Important | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Cube Steak | The star of the dish, mechanically tenderized round steak | Round steak (will need additional tenderizing), thin-cut chuck steak |
| Onion | Creates a flavor base and adds natural sweetness | Shallots, leeks, or 1 tablespoon onion powder |
| Cream of Mushroom Soup | Forms the gravy base and adds rich umami flavor | Cream of celery soup, golden mushroom soup, or homemade mushroom gravy |
| Beef Broth | Adds depth and creates the right consistency | Beef bouillon + water, vegetable broth (for a milder flavor) |
| Garlic Powder | Provides essential savory notes | Fresh minced garlic (2 cloves), roasted garlic, or garlic salt (reduce other salt) |
| Worcestershire Sauce | Adds complexity and helps tenderize the meat | Soy sauce, coconut aminos, or A1 steak sauce |
| Flour | Helps thicken the gravy | Cornstarch (mix with cold water first), arrowroot powder, or xanthan gum (for keto) |
| Butter | Creates richness in the gravy | Olive oil, bacon fat, or ghee |
| Salt & Pepper | Essential seasoning | Seasoned salt, garlic salt, or herb blends |
My secret ingredient? A splash of kitchen bouquet or browning sauce. It’s not mandatory but adds that rich, deep color and extra savory flavor that makes people think you spent hours on this gravy.
Step-by-Step Instructions with Expert Tips : Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
1. Prepare the Cube Steak
Season the cube steak generously with salt and pepper on both sides. The indentations already present on the cube steak allow the seasoning to penetrate the meat more effectively.Pro Tip: Allow the seasoned meat to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking for even more flavor absorption.
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter or oil.
Quickly brown the cube steaks for about 1-2 minutes per side. You’re not trying to cook them through – just develop a flavorful crust.Troubleshooting: If your pan starts smoking, it’s too hot. Lower the heat slightly or add a touch more oil.
Transfer the browned steaks to your slow cooker, arranging them in an even layer (some overlap is fine).
2. Create the Gravy Base
In the same skillet, add sliced onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften and turn translucent.Pro Tip: Don’t clean the skillet first! The browned bits left behind from the meat, known as fond, are rich in flavor and will take your gravy to the next level.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour to the onions and stir continuously for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
Slowly whisk in 1 cup of beef broth,making sure to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.Flavor Boost: This is when I add that optional splash of browning sauce or a tablespoon of tomato paste for extra richness.
3. Slow Cook to Tenderness
Pour the gravy mixture over the cube steaks in the slow cooker, ensuring the meat is fully coated.
Cover and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 4 hours.Pro Tip: Low and slow is best for cube steak – it gives The tough connective tissues require more time to fully break down.
Check tenderness by seeing if the meat easily pulls apart with a fork. If the meat remains tough, continue cooking for an additional 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Finish the Gravy
5. Serve and Enjoy
Return the steaks to the gravy or pour the thickened gravy over the steaks on your serving platter.
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, for a pop of color and freshness.Presentation Tip: Serve family-style on a platter surrounded by your sides for a restaurant-worthy presentation that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
Storage, Make-Ahead & Freezing Tips : Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
When I make this cube steak recipe, I sometimes double it specifically to have leftovers – it actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld!
Refrigerator Storage:
- Keep cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The gravy may thicken considerably in the fridge – this is normal.
Freezer Instructions:
- Store in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- For best results, freeze the meat and gravy together to prevent the meat from drying out.
- I like to portion into meal-sized containers for quick future dinners.
Reheating Methods:
- Microwave: Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring gravy between each until heated through (about 2-3 minutes total).
- Stovetop: Place in a covered skillet with a splash of beef broth over low heat until warmed throughout (about 8-10 minutes).
- Slow Cooker: Place frozen cube steak and gravy directly in the slow cooker on LOW for 2-3 hours until heated through.
Leftovers Reinvented:
- Shred the leftover cube steak and use in beef sandwiches with the gravy as a dip
- Chop and add to scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast
- Serve over toast for an open-faced hot beef sandwich
Creative Variations & Serving Ideas : Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
After making this dish dozens of times, I’ve experimented with various flavor profiles and serving options that keep it in our regular rotation without getting boring:
Flavor Variations
Mushroom Lover’s Delight
- Add 8 oz of sliced fresh mushrooms to the onions when sautéing
- Use Golden Mushroom soup instead of regular Cream of Mushroom
- For special occasions, add a finishing touch with a drizzle of truffle oil.
Ranch-Style Cube Steak
- Stir in 1 packet of ranch seasoning into the gravy mixture.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of diced green chilies
- Top with crispy bacon bits before serving
French Onion Twist
- Increase the amount of onions to double and caramelize them completely before preparing the gravy.
- Use beef consommé instead of broth
- Add a slice of provolone cheese on top during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Italian-Inspired
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning into the gravy.
- Substitute 1/2 cup of the beef broth with red wine
- Serve over creamy polenta instead of potatoes
Perfect Pairings
I’ve served this tender cube steak with just about every side dish imaginable, but these are our family favorites:
- Creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles— the classic options.
- Fluffy rice pilaf or cauliflower rice— a lighter alternative.
- Roasted or steamed vegetables such as green beans, carrots, or broccoli.
- Crusty bread or homemade biscuits for sopping up every drop of gravy
- A simple side salad with vinaigrette dressing for freshness and balance
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 29g |
| Carbohydrates | 11g |
| Fat | 18g (7g saturated) |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Sodium | 750mg |
| Iron | 15% DV |
| Calcium | 6% DV |
Nutrition calculated using typical ingredients and a serving size of one cube steak with gravy. Values are approximate and may vary based on specific products used and exact portion sizes.
This recipe is naturally low-carb friendly (if served without starchy sides) and can be made gluten-free by substituting corn starch for the flour and ensuring your canned soup is gluten-free.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make a huge difference in this seemingly simple dish:
Don’t skip the browning step. This five-minute investment creates a flavor foundation that transforms the entire dish. One time I was in a rush and threw everything in raw – the difference was noticeable!
Check your slow cooker’s seal. If your cooker runs hot or loses moisture, add an extra 1/4 cup of broth to prevent drying out. I learned this the hard way when I used my old slow cooker with a warped lid.
Cube steak thickness matters. If your steaks are particularly thin (less than 1/4 inch), check for doneness an hour earlier than the recipe suggests.
The onions are non-negotiable. They practically melt into the gravy, adding natural sweetness that balances the savory elements perfectly.
Let it rest. If you can, allow the finished dish to sit with the heat off for 15 minutes before serving. This allows the meat to reabsorb some of the juices for maximum tenderness.
Season in layers. Season the meat before browning, then taste and adjust the gravy before serving. Remember, the saltiness of beef broth varies widely by brand.
Why is my cube steak tough in the crock pot?
The most common reason is insufficient cooking time or moisture. Cube steak needs long, slow cooking with enough liquid to become tender. If you’re ending up with tough meat, try cooking it longer (perhaps another hour), ensure there’s enough gravy to cover the meat, and make sure your slow cooker’s seal is tight. Also, check that you’re actually using cube steak – sometimes packages labeled as “minute steak” look similar but are better suited for quick cooking methods.
How long to cook steak in a slow cooker with gravy?
For cube steak or similar tough cuts, cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. However, I’ve found the low setting produces more reliable tenderness. Premium, tender steaks (like ribeye or strip) shouldn’t be slow-cooked this long as they’ll become mushy – those are better prepared using quick cooking methods.
Will steak get tender in crock pot?
Absolutely! The slow cooker is actually ideal for transforming tough cuts of steak into tender perfection. The slow, moist heat works wonders on cuts like cube steak, chuck, round, or brisket. However, already-tender cuts like filet mignon or ribeye are better cooked using quick methods like grilling or pan-searing.
Why do you soak cube steak in milk?
Soaking cube steak in milk before cooking is an old-fashioned tenderizing method that works because the calcium and lactic acid in milk help break down the meat’s tough proteins. It’s similar to using buttermilk for fried chicken. While this step isn’t necessary for slow-cooked cube steak (since the long cooking time tenderizes naturally), I sometimes use this trick if I’m cooking cube steak quickly using other methods. For this Crock Pot recipe, you can skip the milk soak completely.
What’s the best way to tenderize cube steak?
The absolute best way to tenderize cube steak is slow, moist cooking – exactly what this Crock Pot recipe provides! If you’re not slow cooking, other effective methods include:
Physical tenderizing with a meat mallet (although cube steak is already pre-tenderized this way)
Soaking in milk or buttermilk for 30 minutes to 2 hours
Using a marinade containing acidic ingredients like vinegar, citrus, or yogurt
Cooking in a pressure cooker for a faster version of moist-heat cooking
Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy : A Family Tradition Worth Starting
There’s something magical about recipes that transform humble ingredients into something special. This Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy does exactly that – turning an economical cut of meat into a meal that brings everyone to the table with anticipation.
I’ve served this at Sunday family dinners, brought it to potlucks, and prepared it countless times for weeknight meals when I know I’ll be too tired to cook after work. Each time, it’s met with the same appreciation – clean plates, requests for seconds, and that satisfied silence that falls over the table when everyone is enjoying their food too much to talk.
The beauty of this recipe isn’t just in its flavor and tenderness, but in its simplicity and reliability. In a world where we’re all juggling too many responsibilities, there’s comfort in knowing that dinner can cook itself and still be something worth gathering around the table for.
What’s your favorite side dish to serve with tender cube steak and gravy? Are you a mashed potato traditionalist or do you prefer something different? Let me know in the comments below I’m always looking for new serving ideas!
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