Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe with Tender Beef and Rich Gravy
This Crockpot Cube Steak recipe is an easy and filling dinner. The cube steaks are slowly cooked with onions and tasty beef gravy until they are very soft and tender.
It is a great choice for busy weeknights because it uses only a few ingredients and takes very little time to prepare.
The slow cooker does all the work, delivering comfort food that’s rich, savory, and satisfying. This meal is not only inexpensive but also one of those “set-it-and-forget-it” meals.
An easy classic you’ll want to make again and again. In this article, you’ll learn how to make this flavourful dish at home.
What is Cube Steak?
Cube steak is a thin cut of beef that has been mechanically tenderized, leaving small cube-shaped marks across its surface. It is commonly slow-cooked with gravy to make the meat tender and flavorful.
Cube steak can be found in stores labeled as “cubed steak” or “minute steak.” It is an inexpensive cut of meat used in recipes for quick dinner ideas, soups, and stews. You will also see it on restaurant menus or find recipes for country fried steak” or chicken-fried steak.
It is a budget-friendly meat item that delivers on flavor for recipes. Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe the meat has been pre-tenderized, which makes it a great choice for a get-dinner-on-the-table meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here is a list of ingredients you’ll need to make Cube steak.
- 4 pieces of Cube Steak
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging); save the remaining flour, you’ll need it for your gravy.
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- ¼ cup oil
- ½ tsp salt, divided or according to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper, divided
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- Mushroom (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 tbsp of reserved seasoned flour for the gravy
How to Make Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe?
Follow these simple steps to make tender, flavorful crockpot cube steak with a rich homemade gravy.
1. Prepare the seasoned flour
Add the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to a shallow bowl or plate. Mix well. Reserve 2–3 tablespoons of the seasoned flour for making the gravy.
2. Season the cube steaks
Lightly season both sides of the cube steaks with salt and black pepper. Avoid adding too much salt, especially if the beef broth is already salted.
3. Dredge the steaks
Coat each cube steak in the seasoned flour. Make sure both sides and the edges are lightly covered. Shake off any excess flour.
4. Brown the steaks
Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and brown them for approximately 2 minutes per side. The steaks do not need to cook through at this stage.
5. Transfer to the slow cooker
Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the crockpot. If you like mushrooms, Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe add sliced mushrooms. If you do not like mushrooms, simply skip them. Then, arrange the browned cube steaks on top.
6. Make the gravy
Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Leave approximately 2 tbsp of oil and drippings in the pan. Add 2–3 tbsp of the reserved seasoned flour and cook for about 1 minute while stirring.
7. Add the broth
Gradually pour in the beef broth while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Add the Worcestershire sauce and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the gravy begins to thicken slightly.
8. Slow cook
Pour the gravy over the cube steaks. Cover the crockpot and cook until the meat is tender.
Low setting: 6-8 hours
High setting: 2½–3½ hours
9. Check the gravy
If the gravy becomes too thick, mix in a small amount of beef broth. Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe If it is too thin, mix 1 tbsp of flour with 2 tbsp of cold water, then mix it into the gravy during the final 20–30 minutes.
10. Serve and Enjoy
Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a complete meal. I’m sure your whole family will love this recipe.
Pro Tips to Avoid Tough Meat
Don’t skip the flour: The flour coating locks in moisture and prevents the thin steak from drying out on high heat.
Tenderize again at home: Even though a machine at the grocery store punctures the steak, a quick pound with a meat hammer or the bottom of a heavy skillet will make a huge difference in texture.
Use acidic marinades: Soaking the meat for 1 to 2 hours in buttermilk, vinegar, or tomato juice gently breaks down the tough connective tissue before cooking.
FAQs (Easy Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe)
What’s the best way to prepare cube steak?
The absolute best way to cook cube steak is to braise it in a rich gravy (often called “smothered cube steak”). This method tenderizes the tough, lean cut of meat.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Cube Steak in a Crockpot?
Cook cube steak in a Crockpot on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. For the most tender results and a rich gravy, the low setting is highly recommended.
How long to marinate cube steak?
You can marinate it in the refrigerator for 1 to 8 hours for a flavorful, tender cube steak. Because cube steak is pre-tenderized and relatively thin, it absorbs flavors quickly. While you can marinate it overnight, avoid doing so, as acidic marinades will eventually break down the meat and make it mushy.
What are common mistakes when cooking cube steak?
Common mistakes when cooking cube steak include cooking it too fast as a standalone steak, skipping the flour or breading coating to retain moisture, and overcrowding the pan. Because it is a tough cut that has been mechanically tenderized, cube steak is best cooked low and slow.
What are cube steaks made from?
Cube steak is usually made from tougher cuts of beef, such as top round or bottom round. The meat is pressed by a machine or beaten with a meat mallet to soften it. This process leaves small cube-shaped marks on the surface, which is why it is called cube steak.
