This Slow Cooker Cubed Steak is so easy to make with only 8 ingredients that make a rich, savory gravy full of comforting flavor. It is a set-and-forget, easy crock pot meal the entire family will love.
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This recipe was born out of the need to feed my family a dinner that would satisfy everyone, and still have delicious leftovers for the next day. I often double this Slow Cooker Cube Steak for just that reason because it reheats just as well as it tastes fresh.
With just 15 minutes of prep, you can have everything assembled and ready to go. I love meals that are set it and go. If you are a fan of easy crockpot meals like this, be sure to check out my Crockpot Pot Roast and Easy Crock Pot Lasagna, too!
Reader Review: "Hard to believe how tender the cubed steaks are. This is one of my favorites with mashed potatoes." - Charles
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Set it and forget it - This is an easy weeknight dinner.
- Budget-Friendly Meal - This is an affordable cut of beef that becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked.
- Super tender and flavorful - This becomes a melt-in-your-mouth steak with a rich gravy.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients - Nothing fancy here - just delicious food.
- Perfect for family dinners - This meal is always a crowd pleaser at my house.
What Is Cubed Steak
Cubed steak is a cut of beef that is usually top round or top sirloin that has been tenderized with a meat mallet or machine. This gives it that signature texture and makes it perfect for a slow cooker, where it becomes fork-tender and absorbs all the right flavors of the gravy.
Ingredients
- Cubed Steaks: The rich protein that is the base of this recipe.
- Onion: Adds delicious depth of flavor.
- Colored Bell Pepper: Gives a veggie sweetness to every bite.
- French Onion Soup: This adds a deep, savory flavor with a rich onion base.
- Cream Chicken Soup: Responsible for the creaminess of the dish.
- Au Jus Gravy Packet: A quick way to add bold beef flavor.
- Corn Starch: To help thicken the gravy.
Tim's Tip: Know your slow cooker. Some cook hotter than others, so check your cubesteak torward the end of cooking. If it gets done early, switch to warm to prevent overcooking and keep meat tender.
Recipe Video
How to make Slow Cooker Cube Steak
- Make the gravy base. In the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the French onion soup, cream of chicken soup, au jus gravy packet, and water. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Add the steak. Place the cubed steaks into the slow cooker, making sure each piece is well coated with the gravy mixture.
- Add veggies. Add the sliced peppers and onions, then gently mix to combine.
- Slow cook. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the steak is tender.
- Thicken the gravy - In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Stir the mixture into the slow cooker. (No need to remove the cubed steaks to do this unless you find it easier to mix, making sure to put the steak immediately back in.)
- Finish on high. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the soup - Use what you have, you can swap for cream of mushroom or cream of celery if you prefer.
- Use different gravy - If you don't have au jus mix, brown gravy mix works just as well and still will give you a thick sauce.
- Add mushrooms - Sliced mushrooms are a great addition and pair perfectly with the gravy.
- Skip the peppers or onions - This recipe is so flexible, you can leave out or add according to your taste.
- Make it creamy - Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a little sour cream at the end for a richer gravy.
- Add a garlic flavor - Toss in a few cloves of minced garlic or a teaspoon of garlic powder for extra depth for your crock pot cube steaks.
Tim's Expert Tips
- Don't over-salt - Gravy mixes and canned soups already contain significant amounts of sodium.
- Don't skip the onions and peppers - They add a ton of flavor as they cook down in the gravy.
- Whisk the gravy well - This helps prevent lumps and keep it smooth.
- Low and Slow is best - Cooking on low gives you the most tender steak.
What to Serve with Cube Steak
- Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Skillet Corn
- Easy Garlic Butter Rolls
- Garden salad with Ranch Dressing
Storage
Store leftover cubed steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
This recipe also freezes well. Wrap the casserole dish in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results, then reheat.
Equipment
- Flint and Flame Knives - For fast chopping
- Slow Cooker - Where all the Cube Steak magic happens.
- Cutting Board - Great for keeping your workspace clean
FAQs
You do not need to for this recipe. Searing the cube steak in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side adds a deeper flavor.
You can substitute cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or a mixture of sour cream/cream cheese and milk.
It is best to thaw steaks before slow cooking to ensure they reach safe temperatures evenly.
What are the "must-haves" on your family menus? Let me know your family's favorite recipes in the comments! I love gathering ideas from fellow cooks!
Made this recipe? Let me know!
RECIPE
Recipe
Slow Cooker Cube Steak
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker 6 Quart
Ingredients
- 10.5 oz French Onion Soup
- 10.75 oz Cream of Chicken
- 1 packet Au jus Gravy Mix
- ½ cup Water
- 4 Cubed Steak
- 1 White Onion Sliced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper Sliced
To Thicken Gravy
- 3 tablespoon Corn Starch
- 3 tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Make the gravy base. In the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the French onion soup, cream of chicken soup, au jus gravy packet, and water. Stir until everything is well combined. 10.5 oz French Onion Soup 10.75 oz Cream of Chicken 1 packet Au jus Gravy Mix ½ cup Water
- Add the steak. Place the cubed steaks into the slow cooker, making sure each piece is well coated with the gravy mixture. 4 Cubed Steak
- Add veggies. Add the sliced peppers and onions, then gently mix to combine. 1 White Onion 1 Red Bell Pepper
- Slow cook. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the steak is tender.
- Thicken the gravy - In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Stir the mixture into the slow cooker. (No need to remove the cubed steaks to do this unless you find it easier to mix, making sure to put the steak immediately back in.) 3 tablespoon Corn Starch 3 tablespoon Water
- Finish on high. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
Video
Notes
- Don't over-salt - Gravy mixes and canned soups already contain significant amounts of sodium.
- Don't skip the onions and peppers - They add a ton of flavor as they cook down in the gravy.
- Whisk the gravy well - This helps prevent lumps and keep it smooth.
- Low and Slow is best - Cooking on low gives you the most tender steak.
Storage
Store leftover cube steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. This recipe also freezes well. Wrap the casserole dish in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results, then reheat.Nutrition
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Casey L says
This was SO easy! We added red pepper flakes to ours for a kick. We’ll be making this one again!
Patti says
Delicious. Easy to make. Comfort food made simple.