Introduction to Cube Steak in a Crock Pot

Cube steak is a popular beef cut with affordability and versatility, often recognized for its characteristic tenderized texture, with slight indentations created by pounding the meat. It's an excellent choice for slow cooking, as it becomes incredibly tender when simmered for an extended period, absorbing flavors while breaking down the connective tissue.

The beauty of using a crockpot or slow cooker for cube steak is that it allows the meat to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth steak without needing high heat or constant attention. As the cube steak cooks, it retains moisture and flavors, making it ideal for hearty stews, gravies, and sauces. The slow cooker also gives you the convenience of preparing a meal ahead of time, allowing you to return to a deliciously cooked dish ready to serve. This method is ideal for busy home cooks looking for an easy yet flavorful meal with minimal effort.

What is Cube Steak?

Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized through a mechanical process, where the meat is pounded or run through a machine to create small indentations on the surface. These indentations help break down the tough fibers, making the steak more tender and easy to cook. Typically, cube steak is made from stricter cuts like round or sirloin, which are less expensive than more premium cuts like ribeye or filet mignon.

What sets cube steak apart from other cuts is its texture. At the same time, other steaks are typically cooked quickly over high heat. Cube steak benefits from slow cooking methods, which allow the meat to become tender while retaining its juices. This makes it ideal for dishes like stews, casseroles, and, of course, crockpot recipes.

When purchasing cube steak for slow cooking, look for well-processed steaks with uniform indentations and avoid any that appear too thin or overly fatty. Quality meat ensures the best tenderness and flavor after slow cooking.

How the Crock Pot Makes Cube Steak Tender

The slow cooking process in a crock pot is ideal for tenderizing cube steak, as it allows the meat to cook at low, consistent temperatures over an extended period. This slow heat breaks down the connective tissues and collagen in the beef, transforming it into gelatin. The meat becomes more tender, juicy, and flavorful as the collagen breaks down. This is especially beneficial for stricter cuts like cube steak, which would be difficult to eat if cooked quickly over high heat.

Unlike methods such as pan-frying or grilling, which rely on direct high heat to cook the steak quickly, the crock pot uses moist heat and allows the steak to cook for several hours. The low temperature prevents the meat from drying out and ensures it remains tender without becoming burdensome. The long cooking time also allows the flavors of any added seasonings, vegetables, or broth to infuse the steak fully.

In addition to tenderness, using a crock pot offers convenience, as you can set it and forget it, allowing you to prepare other dishes or relax while the slow cooker does the work. The result is a perfectly tender cube steak with rich, savory flavors—something difficult to achieve with quicker cooking methods.

Essential Ingredients for Crock Pot Cube Steak

To make a delicious Crock Pot cube steak, you'll need the following essential ingredients:

Cube Steak: The star of the dish, cube steak, is a cut of beef that has been tenderized by pounding or machine processing. It's perfect for slow cooking, as long cooking helps break down the fibers and makes the meat tender.

Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the base for the sauce, adding a creamy texture and rich flavor. It helps create a savory gravy that complements the steak perfectly.

Onion: Thinly sliced onions add sweetness and depth to the dish, helping to enhance the flavor profile of the sauce as it cooks.

Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves or minced garlic bring a punch of aromatic flavor, infusing the meat and sauce with a savory richness.

Beef Broth: This is essential for keeping the steak moist during cooking. It also helps to create the savory gravy with which the cube steak is served.

Seasonings: Common seasonings include salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley. These add balance and complexity to the overall flavor.

Optional Variations:

• Mushrooms: Adding fresh or canned mushrooms enhances the earthy flavors of the dish and pairs well with the cream of mushroom soup.
• Sour Cream: For an extra creamy and tangy twist, stir in some sour cream toward the end of cooking for a more decadent, velvety sauce.

Preparing Cube Steak in a Crock Pot

Prepare the Cube Steak: Start by seasoning the cube steaks generously with salt, pepper, and any additional spices of your choice (such as garlic powder or onion powder). For extra flavor, you can lightly dredge the steaks in flour, which helps create a nice crust when browning.

Brown the Steak: Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Brown the cube steaks on each side for 2-3 minutes until they develop a golden crust. This step adds flavor and depth to the dish, but you can skip it if you're shoyou'retime.

Layering the Crock Pot: Place the browned cube steaks in the bottom of your slow cooker. Next, layer the onions and garlic on top of the steaks. These aromatics will infuse the meat with flavor as it cooks. Pour in the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth to create a savory base.

Add Extra Ingredients: If you use usiyou'rehrooms, add them to the crock pot. They will absorb the flavors and add depth to the sauce. Ensure the liquid covers most of the steak even when cooking.

Slow Cook: Set the crock pot low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The steak will become tender and infused with rich, savory flavors.

How to Serve Slow-Cooked Cube Steak

Slow-cooked cube steak pairs beautifully with classic comfort foods like creamy mashed potatoes, which soak up the rich gravy from the slow cooker. For a lighter option, serve it over fluffy white or brown rice to complement the tender meat and savory sauce. Alternatively, egg noodles are a great choice, providing a soft, comforting texture that perfectly absorbs the dish's flavors. To complete the meal, consider adding roasted vegetables, like carrots or green beans, for freshness and color. This combination creates a hearty, satisfying meal everyone will enjoy.

Cooking Times and Temperature Settings for Cube Steak

When cooking cube steak in a crockpot, the key to tender, flavorful results is patience and the correct cooking settings. For the best outcome, cooking on low heat for 6 to 8 hours is ideal. This slow cooking process allows the tough fibers of the cube steak to break down, making the meat incredibly tender.

If you have time, cook cube steak in a high-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours. While this will still produce tender results, the meat may not be as melt-in-your-mouth tender as when cooked on low heat.

Regardless of your chosen setting, the cooking process involves slowly simmering the meat with flavorful ingredients, such as onion, garlic, and mushroom soup. These flavors meld together while the meat absorbs the seasonings, creating a rich and savory dish. Always check the steak toward the end of the cooking time to ensure it reaches the preferred tenderness.

Remember, longer cooking on low heat is usually best for a tender, fork-tender steak that falls apart with minimal effort.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While slow-cooking cube steak in a crockpot is generally straightforward, a few common issues can arise. Here's how them:

Gravy Not Thickening: The solution is simple if the gravy isn't thicisn'tg to your liking. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a bit of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help thicken the gravy without altering the flavor. Alternatively, you can also use flour or instant potato flakes for thickening.

Excess Liquid: The slow cooking process sometimes releases more liquid than expected. If the dish is too watery, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate. You can also stir in a small amount of cornstarch (as mentioned above) to help absorb excess moisture.

Cube Steak Not Tender Enough: If the steak is less tasty than you'd like, it needs more cooking time. Cube steak requires several hours to break down the fibers and become tender. If you're cooyou'ren high heat, try switching to low and cook for an additional hour or two. Additionally, ensure there is enough liquid in the crockpot to create steam and prevent the steak from becoming tough.

You can ensure your cube steak turns out perfectly every time by troubleshooting these issues!

How to Make the Best Gravy for Cube Steak

Use the juices and drippings from the slow-cooked steak to make a rich and flavorful gravy for cube steak. These are packed with flavor and form the base of the gravy. Here's how it works:

1. Use the Drippings: Remove the meat and set it aside after cooking the steak. Pour the liquid from the crockpot into a saucepan. You can strain the liquid to remove larger pieces if you prefer a smoother gravy.
2. Thicken the Gravy: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour with a small amount of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering liquid. Allow it to cook for a few minutes until thickened. Alternatively, you can use instant potato flakes for a smoother texture.
3. Enhance the Flavor: Taste the gravy and adjust with seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, or even a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for depth. Add a little cream or sour cream if you like a creamy gravy.

This method ensures a rich, flavorful gravy complementing the tender cube steak.

Recipe Variations for Slow-Cooked Cube Steak

• Add Extra Vegetables: To make the dish more hearty and flavorful, add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or parsnips. These vegetables can be added alongside the cube steak and absorb the savory flavors from the gravy as they cook. Chop them into chunks and place them in the slow cooker before adding the steak. Potatoes can be added whole or halved, while carrots should be cut into thick pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
• Healthier or Dietary-Friendly Options: Low-Carb/Keto: For a keto-friendly or low-carb option, swap the cream of mushroom soup with a homemade version made from heavy cream or coconut milk. You can skip the potatoes and serve the cube steak with cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles. Adding extra non-starchy vegetables like broccoli or green beans will keep the dish flavorful and filling without the carbs.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup or make your gravy using gluten-free flour or cornstarch to thicken it.
• Dairy-Free: Swap any creamy ingredients with coconut or almond milk for a dairy-free variation and opt for dairy-free soups or gravies.

These variations allow you to adapt the recipe based on dietary preferences while maintaining its comforting, delicious flavor.

Storing Leftover Crockpot Cube Steak:

1. Refrigeration: Allow the cube steak and gravy to cool completely before storing. Transfer the leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Be sure to include some of the gravy to keep the steak moist.
2. Freezing: For more extended storage, you can freeze leftover cube steak. Place the steak and gravy in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Leftovers:

1. Microwave: Place the leftover steak and gravy in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat in short intervals (about 1-2 minutes), stirring in between to ensure even reheating. Add a splash of broth or water if the gravy has thickened too much.
2. Stovetop: Reheat the cube steak in a skillet over low heat, adding extra gravy or broth to keep the meat moist. Cover the skillet to trap moisture and prevent the steak from drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through.

By storing and reheating your leftovers properly, you can enjoy tender and flavorful cube steak even after it's been it!

FAQ

Can I Use Frozen Cube Steak?

You can use frozen cube steak in the crockpot, but adjusting your cooking method is essential. If you're staying frozen steak, there's nothing to thaw it first. Add the frozen steaks directly to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. However, remember that cooking from frozen may require an extra 1-2 hours to reach the desired tenderness. Check the internal temperature and ensure it's cooked through. Using frozen steak can be a convenient option for busy days!

How Do I Make Cube Steak Tender in the Crockpot?

The slow cooker is perfect for tenderizing tough cuts like a cube steak. The low, steady heat breaks down the fibers, making the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender. Add enough moisture (such as broth or cream of mushroom soup) for the best results to keep the steak moist. Letting the cube steak cook slowly for 6-8 hours on low heat is key to a tender texture. Avoid cooking on high, as it can make the meat tough.

How Long Should I Cook Cube Steak in the Crockpot? Cube steak typically requires 6-8 hours of cooking on low heat or 3-4 hours on high. The long, slow cooking process makes the meat break down and tender. If you prefer the steak to be extra tender, cooking it on low for longer is better. Always check for doneness by ensuring the meat is fork-tender before serving.