Easy Cube Steak Crock Pot Recipe That’s Fork-Tender
As a busy parent, finding time to cook a good meal can be tough. That’s why I’m excited to share this easy Crock Pot Cubed Steak with Gravy recipe. It’s a comfort food that’s simple to make, perfect for busy weeknights.
Cube steak is a cheap cut of beef that’s often ignored. But when slow-cooked, it becomes incredibly tender. The slow cooking breaks down the meat, making it melt in your mouth. No knife needed – just a fork!
Table of Contents
Understanding Cube Steak: A Budget-Friendly Cut of Beef
Cube steak is a budget-friendly cut of beef that’s great for affordable meals. It’s made from top round or top sirloin steak. A special process makes it tender, with small indentations on the meat.
What Makes Cube Steak Different
The special tenderization process makes cube steak tender and easy to chew. It’s lean and less expensive than other steaks. This makes it perfect for affordable cube steak meals.
Why It’s Perfect for Slow Cooking
Cube steak is great for slow cooking, like in a crock pot. The slow cooking makes it even more tender. It becomes tender cube steak recipe that’s easy to fork into and full of flavor.
Cost-Effective Meal Planning
Using cube steak in your meal planning is smart because it’s affordable. It lets you make tasty, budget-friendly cube steak dishes without spending a lot. It’s perfect for families or anyone wanting to save money on food.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cube Steak | 2 lbs |
| Lipton Onion Soup Mix | 1 packet |
| Brown Gravy Mix | 1 packet |
| Cream of Mushroom Soup | 1 can |
“Cube steak is a game-changer for budget-conscious home cooks. Its versatility and affordability make it a staple in my meal planning.”
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cube Steak Crock Pot Recipe
Creating a tasty cube steak crock pot dish starts with the right ingredients. This recipe uses a mix that brings out the best in the tender cube steak. At the center of this dish are the cube steaks, the main attraction. To boost their flavor and texture, you’ll need cream of chicken soup, French onion soup mix, and au jus gravy mix.
To make the perfect gravy, mix the soup, soup mix, and water together. This lets the flavors blend smoothly. For a thicker gravy, add cornstarch. You can also add sliced mushrooms and diced onions to make the dish even more savory.
This recipe serves 4 cube steaks, but you can double it for bigger groups or meal prep. Try to use low-sodium ingredients to keep the dish’s salt level down.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cube steaks | 4 (6-ounce each) |
| Condensed cream of chicken or mushroom soup | 2 (10.5-ounce) cans |
| French onion soup mix | 1 (0.87-ounce) packet |
| Au jus gravy mix | 1 (0.87-ounce) packet |
| Water | 1 1/2 cups |
| Cornstarch (optional) | 1-2 tablespoons |
| Sliced mushrooms (optional) | 8 ounces |
| Diced onions (optional) | 1 cup |
With these ingredients, you’re ready to make a delicious cube steak crock pot dish. It’s perfect for a comforting meal that everyone will love.
The Science Behind Low and Slow Cooking Method
Cooking cube steak low and slow is key for the perfect texture. This method controls temperature well. It breaks down tough fibers and connective tissues in the meat.
The result is cube steak that’s so tender, it almost melts in your mouth. It also has a rich flavor that comes from slow cooking.
Temperature Control Benefits
The slow cooker cooks at a steady low temperature, around 200-250°F. This gentle heat is great for tenderizing cube steak. It cooks the meat evenly, so the outside doesn’t get too hard while the inside gets tender.
Breakdown of Muscle Fibers
Over hours, the low heat of the slow cooker works its magic on the cube steak. Muscle fibers and connective tissues soften and dissolve. This leaves behind tender cube steak that’s so soft, it falls apart with a fork.
Flavor Development Process
As the cube steak cooks low and slow, flavors blend and get stronger. The meat absorbs the juices and seasonings well. This makes the flavor deep and rich, unlike faster cooking methods.
| Broth Type | Cooking Time | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Broth | 1-2 hours | Extracts gelatin and mineral goodness |
| Chicken Broth | 1-12 hours | Varies for desired outcome |
| Beef, Lamb, Pork Broth | 2-24 hours | Longer cooking time for more benefits |
“The slow cooker maintains a consistent low temperature, perfect for tenderizing tougher cuts of meat like cube steak.”
Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions
Making a tasty cube steak crock pot recipe is easy and rewarding. Begin by mixing two cans of cream of mushroom soup, one envelope of dried onion soup mix, and 1 cup of beef broth in your slow cooker. This blend makes a savory base for your easy cube steak dinner.
Then, add the cube steaks to the slow cooker. Make sure they’re fully covered in the soup mix. Cook the steaks on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. They should be tender and easy to shred with a fork.
To thicken the gravy, mix 1/2 cup of cold water with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in the last 30-35 minutes. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker. This will thicken the gravy to your liking.
After the cooking time ends, your cube steak crock pot recipe is ready. Serve the steaks with your favorite sides, like egg noodles or mashed potatoes. These will soak up the tasty gravy.
This recipe is perfect for four 6-ounce cube steaks. You can adjust it to fit your needs. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. However, it’s not good for freezing.
This easy cube steak dinner needs only 10 minutes of prep and no effort during cooking. It’s great for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends. Enjoy the tender, flavorful outcome of your cube steak crock pot recipe.
Creating the Perfect Gravy Base
Making a tasty gravy base is key to making your cube steak crock pot meal a hit. It’s all about mixing flavors that blend well together. This creates a rich, savory sauce that coats the steak perfectly.
Soup Combinations
Begin by mixing canned soups like cream of chicken or mushroom with French onion soup mix. This mix gives your gravy a solid base. It adds depth and complexity to your dish. For more flavor, try adding Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, or beef bone broth.
Seasoning Tips
- Add a lot of garlic and herb seasoning for aromatic notes.
- A little paprika adds smokiness and color.
- Try your favorite spices like onion powder, thyme, or rosemary for a unique taste.
- Use low-sodium soups to make the gravy less salty.
By carefully making the gravy base, you open up a world of flavors. Your cube steak crock pot meal will be a hit with your family.
Best Cooking Times and Temperature Settings
To get the best tenderness in your slow cooker cube steak, give it plenty of time. The slow cooker cube steak recipe we’ve shared suggests cooking on low for 6-8 hours. Cooking on high for 3-4 hours is also an option, but low and slow is the way to go for tender meat.
The cooking time can change based on your slow cooker’s heat. You want the meat to shred easily with a fork when it’s ready. Try not to open the lid too often, as it can mess with the temperature and make cooking take longer.
| Cooking Setting | Cooking Time | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 6-8 hours | 145°F (63°C) |
| High | 3-4 hours | 145°F (63°C) |
Don’t cook frozen cube steak as it can cook unevenly and be unsafe. Make sure the meat is thawed before cooking for the best taste.
The best way to check if the slow cooker cube steak is done is by its texture. With the right cooking time and temperature, you’ll enjoy a delicious, tender cube steak recipes from your slow cooker.
Troubleshooting Common Texture Issues
Getting the right texture in a cube steak crock pot recipe can be tricky. But, we’ve got some tips to help. If your easy cube steak dinner isn’t tender, these suggestions will fix it.
Avoiding Tough Meat
One big problem with cube steak crock pot recipes is tough meat. This usually happens if the meat isn’t cooked long enough. Let your cube steaks cook for 6-8 hours on low. This breaks down the tough fibers, making the meat tender.
Also, make sure the meat is always covered in liquid. If it’s not, it won’t tenderize right. Add more broth or sauce to keep it covered.
Gravy Consistency Solutions
If your cube steak crock pot recipe has a thin gravy, you can thicken it. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water. Stir this into the slow cooker for the last hour. It will thicken the gravy nicely.
If the gravy is too thick, add more beef broth or stock. Start with a little and adjust as you go. This way, you’ll get the perfect gravy for your cube steaks.
With these tips, you’ll always have a delicious, easy cube steak dinner from your slow cooker. You’ll get tender meat and smooth gravy every time!
Delicious Side Dish Pairings
Make your family-friendly cube steak crock pot meals even better with tasty side dishes. The tender cube steak and rich gravy are great for many delicious sides.
Try serving the cube steak over creamy mashed potatoes. The steak’s juices mix well with the potatoes, creating a tasty mix. You can also serve it over fluffy white rice or egg noodles for a similar taste.
Balance the cube steak with fresh veggies. Green beans, carrots, or corn on the cob are great choices. A simple green salad adds a refreshing touch to the meal.
Don’t forget a fresh dinner roll or thick bread to enjoy with the gravy. These sides will make even the pickiest eaters happy.
| Side Dish | Preparation Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Mashed Potatoes | 20-30 minutes | Creamy texture that soaks up the flavorful gravy |
| White Rice | 15-20 minutes | Fluffy, neutral base that complements the cube steak |
| Egg Noodles | 10-15 minutes | Tender noodles that are perfect for absorbing the gravy |
| Steamed Green Beans | 10-12 minutes | Fresh, crisp vegetable that provides a nice contrast |
| Roasted Carrots | 25-30 minutes | Sweet, caramelized carrots that complement the savory cube steak |
| Corn on the Cob | 15-20 minutes | Sweet, juicy corn that’s a classic pairing with cube steak |
| Green Salad | 5-10 minutes | Refreshing, crisp salad that balances the richness of the dish |
| Dinner Roll | 10-15 minutes | Crusty bread that’s perfect for sopping up the delicious gravy |
Storage and Reheating Guidelines
Enjoying a delicious easy cube steak dinner or cube steak crock pot recipe is just the start. Proper storage and reheating are key to keeping your leftovers tasty. Follow these easy tips to enjoy your homemade cube steak meals even more.
Refrigerator Storage
Store leftover cube steak and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. This keeps the flavors in and the meat moist.
Freezer Storage
Freeze individual portions of the cube steak crock pot recipe with gravy for up to 3 months. Use freezer-safe bags or airtight containers.
Reheating Methods
- Microwave: Reheat on a low setting and stir often to avoid overcooking.
- Stovetop: Warm the cube steak and gravy on medium heat. Add beef broth if it’s too thick.
Choose your reheating method wisely. Keep an eye on the cube steak to stay tender and the gravy smooth.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your easy cube steak dinner or cube steak crock pot recipe for days. Savor every bite of your homemade comfort food with confidence.
Recipe Variations and Modifications
Make your Crockpot Cube Steak recipe your own. For less sodium, use low-sodium soups and broths. This way, you get great taste without too much salt.
Low-Sodium Options
Try making your own soups with low-sodium broth and fresh ingredients. This lets you control the flavor and salt. Mix in cream soups like celery or onion for tasty twists on the classic dish.
Alternative Soup Bases
Don’t just stick to soups. Add red wine or balsamic vinegar to the gravy for a deep flavor. You can also add veggies like mushrooms or potatoes to the slow cooker. This makes a full meal that’s great for families on the go.
