Tender Cube Steak Crock Pot Recipe – Easy Family Meal

cube steak crock pot recipe

Steak

As a busy parent, finding meals that are tasty and easy to make is a big challenge. That’s why this Tender Cube Steak Crock Pot Recipe is a game-changer for me. It’s comforting and ready when I get home, making my day better.

This recipe is a breeze to make. Just set it and forget it, and the slow cooker does the rest. The result is tender cube steak that’s almost like butter. It’s perfect for those nights when you want a filling meal without the fuss.

Key Takeaways

  • Cube steak is a budget-friendly cut of beef that becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked
  • This recipe requires minimal hands-on time, making it a convenient option for busy families
  • The slow cooking process ensures the meat is fall-apart tender and easy to serve
  • With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a comforting and delicious meal
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, providing easy-to-reheat meals

What is Cube Steak?

Cube steak is a special cut of beef that’s been made tender. It’s from the top round or top sirloin. The name comes from the “cubes” on its surface from tenderizing.

Definition and Characteristics

To make cube steak tender, it’s either mechanically tenderized or pounded. This breaks down tough fibers, making them soft to chew and easy to digest.

It’s a budget-friendly choice, perfect for families and those watching their spending. Yet, it still offers a tasty meal when cooked right.

Nutritional Benefits

Cube steak is not only tender and affordable but also nutritious. It’s a lean cut, low in fat and high in protein. It’s packed with:

  • High-quality protein for muscles
  • Iron for healthy blood cells
  • Zinc for a strong immune system
  • B vitamins for energy

Looking for a quick dinner or a family favorite? Cube steak is a nutritious and tasty choice with many cooking options.

Why Use a Crock Pot for Cube Steak?

If you’re a busy family, a crock pot is perfect for cube steak. It’s easy to use and makes the steak tender. This method is great for families who want a simple meal.

Convenience for Busy Families

Using a crock pot for cube steak is super convenient. You just prep the ingredients and let it cook. This hands-off cooking lets you do other things while dinner cooks. It’s ideal for busy families who need a tasty, easy dinner.

Flavor Enhancement

The slow cooker benefits include amazing flavors. The crock pot cooks the steak slowly, making it tender. The steak absorbs all the juices and seasonings, creating a crockpot beef recipe that’s full of flavor and tender.

“The slow cooking process in the crock pot ensures the cube steak becomes incredibly tender, breaking down tough fibers and resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.”

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

To make this tasty and affordable cube steak dish, you’ll need a few key ingredients. The main items are cube steaks, cream of chicken soup, French onion soup, au jus gravy mix, and water. Adding cornstarch will make the sauce thicker and more flavorful.

Essential Ingredients

  • Cube steaks (approximately 2 pounds)
  • Cream of chicken soup (2 cans, 10.5 oz each)
  • French onion soup (1 packet)
  • Au jus gravy mix (1 packet)
  • Water (1 cup)
  • Cornstarch (for thickening, as needed)

Optional Add-ins

For extra flavor, try adding sliced mushrooms to the crock pot. If you’re watching your sodium, use low-sodium soups and gravy mix instead.

  • Sliced mushrooms (4 oz)
  • Low-sodium alternatives (canned soups, gravy mix)

This recipe is perfect for 4 cube steaks. But you can double the ingredients for bigger families or crock pots. Make sure the steaks are covered in the sauce.

Nutritional Information (per serving)Value% Daily Value
Calories747 kcal37%
Carbohydrates33 g11%
Protein52 g104%
Total Fat43 g66%
Saturated Fat20 g125%
Cholesterol211 mg70%
Sodium2600 mg113%
Potassium2246 mg64%
Fiber4 g17%
Sugar6 g7%
Vitamin A470 IU9%
Vitamin C3 mg4%
Calcium259 mg26%
Iron4 mg22%

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing a delicious cube steak dish in your crock pot is easy. Just follow these simple steps to make a tasty and tender meal for your family.

Preparing the Ingredients

Start by collecting the key ingredients for your slow cooker cube steak recipe. You’ll need:

  • 6 beef cube steaks, each weighing 4 ounces
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 packet French onion soup mix
  • 1 packet au jus gravy mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening the gravy)

Cooking Time and Temperature

Now, it’s time to start cooking! Put the cube steaks in the slow cooker. Then, pour the cream of chicken soup, French onion soup mix, au jus gravy mix, and water over them. Make sure the steaks are fully covered by the mixture.

Cook the cube steaks on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. They should be tender and easy to shred with a fork. To thicken the gravy, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker. Let it cook on high for 30 minutes, or until the gravy is thick enough.

Serve the tender, flavorful cube steak over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. It’s a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy!

Tips for Achieving Tender Cube Steak

Cooking cube steak to perfection can make your beef dishes incredibly tender. To get your tenderizing cube steak to melt in your mouth, follow these tips:

Choosing the Right Cut

Choose high-quality cuts like sirloin or round steak for your cube steak. These leaner cuts are tender and cook well in a crock pot.

Marinating Techniques

Marinating your cube steak before cooking can make it even more tender and flavorful. Use marinades with acidic ingredients like Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead of flour. Adding fresh herbs towards the end of cooking adds a burst of freshness.

By using these slow cooker tips for tender beef recipes, you’ll make a delicious crock pot cube steak dish. Your whole family will love it.

Serving Suggestions

There are many ways to serve this tender, comforting cube steak dish. It goes well with classic cube steak sides and family-friendly recipes. Try serving it over creamy whipped mashed potatoes or light 3-ingredient rice. Don’t forget to add the rich, savory gravy on top.

Side Dishes that Compliment Cube Steak

  • Gremolata green beans – fresh green beans tossed with lemon zest, garlic, and parsley
  • Ranch roasted potatoes – perfectly seasoned and crispy roasted potato wedges
  • Easy-cooked vegetables – steamed broccoli, carrots, or a medley of your favorites
  • Whole roasted honey carrots – sweet and tender caramelized carrots

For a full comforting beef dishes meal, add a fresh garden salad or warm dinner rolls. These help soak up the flavorful gravy.

Creative Serving Ideas

Be creative with your cube steak dish. Top it with cool sour cream or fresh parsley for color and flavor. You can also serve it on egg noodles or mashed potatoes for a bigger meal.

cube steak crock pot recipe

This delicious cube steak recipe will be a hit in your home. It’s a classic cube steak side dish that everyone will love.

How to Store Leftovers

Storing your tasty cube steak crock pot dish is important. You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days. It’s best to keep the meat and gravy separate to keep them fresh.

Refrigeration Tips

For fridge storage, use airtight containers for the meat and gravy. This keeps the steak from getting soggy. When reheating, you can warm both together or separately.

Reheating Instructions

  • Microwave: Put the steak and gravy in a safe dish. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring once, until hot.
  • Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F. Put the dish in a casserole, cover with foil, and heat for 10-15 minutes.

You can also freeze the dish for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Freezing might change the gravy’s texture, but it should still be good.

By following these storage and reheating tips, you can enjoy your cube steak leftovers. They’re perfect for meal prep ideas or reheating crock pot meals. You’ll love reliving the delicious flavors of this dish.

Variations of the Recipe

The classic cube steak crock pot recipe is already tasty. But, you can make it even better by trying new things. Add different seasonings and ingredients to create unique flavors that everyone will love.

Spice Things Up with Varied Seasonings

For a Mediterranean twist, add basil, oregano, and rosemary. If you like a Cajun flavor, use cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. For a Mexican touch, add cumin, chili powder, and diced green chilies.

Incorporate Nutritious Vegetables

Make the dish even better by adding vegetables. Carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and onions go well with the steak. This makes a complete, tasty, and healthy meal.

VariationSeasoningsVegetables
Italian-StyleBasil, oregano, rosemaryMushrooms, bell peppers
Cajun-InspiredCayenne, paprika, garlic powderOnions, celery, diced tomatoes
Mexican-FlavoredCumin, chili powder, diced green chiliesPotatoes, corn, black beans

Try different cube steak variations, crock pot recipe ideas, and one-pot meal ideas. You can make a dish that everyone will enjoy. There are so many ways to make this classic recipe your own.

cube steak crock pot recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

As you explore this delicious cube steak crock pot recipe, you may have a few questions. Let’s address some of the most common inquiries to help you achieve the best possible results.

Can I Use Other Cuts of Meat?

While cube steak is the recommended cut for this recipe, you can certainly use other thin, tenderized cuts of beef as substitutes. Thinly sliced chuck or round steak will work well, providing a similar texture and flavor profile. Just be mindful that cooking times may need to be adjusted slightly depending on the thickness of the meat.

How to Adjust for a Larger Family?

This recipe is designed to serve 4 people, but if you’re feeding a larger family, it’s easy to scale up. Simply double the ingredient quantities, ensuring your crock pot is large enough to accommodate the increased volume without overcrowding. When doubling the recipe, you may need to increase the cooking time by an extra 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your crock pot size and the thickness of the meat. As always, use a meat thermometer to ensure the cube steak reaches the desired internal temperature.

FAQ

Can I use other cuts of meat besides cube steak?

Yes, you can use other beef cuts like thinly sliced chuck or round steak. These will work well in this recipe. The slow cooking will make them tender.

How can I adjust the recipe for a larger family?

For a bigger family, just double the ingredients. Make sure your crock pot is big enough. You might need to cook it a bit longer when you double the recipe.

Should I thaw frozen cube steak before cooking?

Yes, thawing frozen cube steak is best. It ensures even cooking and a better texture. Cooking it frozen can make it tough and unevenly cooked.

How can I thicken the gravy if it’s too thin?

If your gravy is too thin, make a slurry with cornstarch and cold water. Mix it into the crock pot. Then, cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken it.

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Comfort Food / Cube steak recipes / Cube steak slow cooker / Easy crock pot meals / Family-friendly recipes

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